The Handbook of Natural Polymers, Volume Two: Functionalization, Surface Modification, and Properties covers modifications, functionalization, analysis and properties of polymers from natural sources. The book begins by introducing the current state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities in natural polymers. This is followed by detailed coverage of methods for chemical, physical and surface modifications, and functionalization of natural polymers, including nanocellulose composites, gluten, chitin, alginate, pectin, keratin, shellac, wool, hemicellulose, lignin, natural rubber, albumin, collagen, gelatin, zein, soya protein, silk fibroin, gutta percha and gum. The final chapters explain several other key aspects, such as microscopical and spectroscopical analysis, mechanical, thermal, and more. The book aims to offer potential avenues for the preparation, modification, and implementation of advanced natural polymer-based materials with the desired properties for specific applications.
Author Biography:
Dr M.S. Sreekala is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Postgraduate Research Department of Chemistry, Sree Sankara College, Kalady, India. Her research interests include polymer composites, biodegradable and green composites, and thermosetting materials. She has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed journals and has edited 6 books. Dr. Sreekala received the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt post-doctoral fellowship from the Humboldt Foundation, Bonn, Germany, and conducted research at the Institute for Composite Materials, University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. She was also awarded a post-doctoral fellowship from the Japan Society for Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan, and conducted research at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Japan. She has organized many national and international conferences and delivered invited talks at many international conferences within India and abroad. Lakshmipriya Ravindran, is a Senior Research Fellow at the Postgraduate Research Department of Chemistry, Sree Sankara College, Kalady, India. Her research interests include polymer nanocomposites, nanofillers of bio origin, carbon nanotubes, the incorporation of nanofillers to thermosetting polymers, and their applications. She has attended, and presented papers at, several international conferences and seminars, published peer-reviewed research articles in international journals, and has authored two book chapters. Prof. Koichi Goda is Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Full Professor, in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Yamaguchi University, Japan. Prof. Goda has significant experience in areas including biopolymers, composite materials, reliability, and nanotechnology, with recent research focusing on green composites. He has received numerous awards for his work in including most recently the Meritorious Contribution Award from JCOM (Committee on Composite Materials of JSMS – The Society of Materials Science, Japan) in 2018, and the JSMS Award for Distinguished Service to Chugoku Branch in 2020. Professor Sabu Thomas is the Director of Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He is also currently the Chairman of the Trivandrum Engineering Science and Technology Research Park (TrESPARK), Trivandrum, Kerala, India. He was the former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Prof. Thomas is a highly committed teacher and a remarkably active researcher well-known nationally and internationally for his outstanding contributions in polymer science and nanotechnology. He has published over 1400 research articles in international refereed journals. and has also edited and written 210 books. His H-index is 140 and total citations are more than 94,000. He has supervised 125 PhD theses. He has received many international and national awards and recognitions. Under the leadership of Prof. Thomas, Mahatma Gandhi University has been transformed into a top University in India.
