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Polymer nanocomposites with practically all the commercial polymer matrices have been synthesized and nano-scale filler dispersion has been achieved with varying degrees of success. The commercial polymer nanocomposites studied to a great extent are unfortunately non-biodegradable like polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene etc. To a small extent, these nanocomposites are reformed or recycled into other products after one life cycle, however, the properties of such recycled materials are very poor. Therefore, subject of bio-based nanocomposites and biodegradable nanocomposites has become topic of interest in the recent years and a number of suitable bio-based and biodegradable polymer matrices have been developed and their property enhancement have been reported after the incorporation of the inorganic filler materials. These systems include poly(lactic acid), poly(butyl succinate), alginate, cellulosic plastics, gelatine, starch, soy protein based polymers, plant oil based polymers, poly(hydroxyalkanoates), bio based epoxies, etc. Various inorganic filler systems like clay, spherical particles as well as nanotubes have been incorporated in these matrices. The various properties which have been enhanced include mechanical performance, thermal properties, gas diffusion resistance, flammability, rheological performance, biodegradation etc. Though the commercial applications of these bio-nanocomposites are in infancy, but these materials have a huge commercial potential. The book provides the description of the subject as a whole, from the basic introduction to the more specific systems and advancements. The use of such nanocomposites for packaging as well as for sensors has been depicted.

Graphene: A New Paradigm in Condensed Matter and Device Physics is a complete description of the science and applications of graphene. Graphene, the single layer of graphite, is now recognized as a revolutionary two-dimensional one-atom-thick material of exceedingly high electrical conductivity and tensile strength. This book reviews the developments in physics and materials science, starting in 2004 that led to Nobel Prizes in Physics, for Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov in 2010. The physics is unusual, offering electrons in conical bands that behave more like photons or neutrinos and, as electrical carriers, remarkably free from backscattering. Nonetheless all of these aspects have been treated, as explained in this book, using the same methods that work well for silicon, the present basis of the information technology. The book describes graphene as the first in a new class of two-dimensional materials, effectively crystalline on practical size scales up to one meter. Graphene, despite theoretical predictions of non–crystallinity of two-dimensional matter at finite temperature, is actually refractory, estimated to exist nearly to 4,900K, well above the experimentally-known sublimation point of graphite at 3,900K. The key to potential applications of graphene lies in methods of fabrication that range from chemical exfoliation of graphite crystals to chemical vapor deposition methods similar to those of the present semiconductor industry. Applications expected in future generations of digital computing technology are described in this book. These include flash memory elements, on-chip interconnects, high frequency field-effect transistors and possible tunneling switching transistors fabricated from graphene.