Vikas Mittal is an Assistant Professor at the Chemical Engineering Department of The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi. He obtained his PhD in 2006 in Polymer and Materials Engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. Later, he worked as Materials Scientist in the Active and Intelligent Coatings section of SunChemical in London, UK and as Polymer Engineer at BASF Polymer Research in Ludwigshafen, Germany. His research interests include polymer nanocomposites, novel filler surface modifications, thermal stability enhancements, polymer latexes with functionalized surfaces etc. He has authored over 40 scientific publications, book chapters and patents on these subjects.

The book series 'Polymer Nano-, Micro- and Macrocomposites' provides complete and comprehensive information on all important aspects of polymer composite research and development, including, but not limited to synthesis, filler modification, modeling, characterization as well as application and commercialization issues. Each book focuses on a particular topic and gives a balanced in-depth overview of the respective subfield of polymer composite science and its relation to industrial applications. With the books the readers obtain dedicated resources with information relevant to their research, thereby helping to save time and money.
Summarizing all the most important synthesis techniques used in the lab as well as in industry, this book is comprehensive in its coverage from chemical, physical and mechanical viewpoints.
This book helps readers to choose the correct synthesis route, such as suspension and miniemulsion polymerization, living polymerization, sonication, mechanical methods or the use of radiation, and so achieve the desired composite properties.

Preface
SYNTHESIS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES: REVIEW OF VARIOUS TECHNIQUES
Introduction
Synthesis Methods
MASTERBATCH APPROACH TO GENERATE HDPE/CPE/GRAPHENE NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
PREPARATION AND APPLICATIONS OF HYDROXYAPATITE NANOCMOPSITES BASED ON BIODEGRADABLE AND NATURAL POLYMERS
Introduction
Preparation of HAp Nanocrystals
Preparation of HAp Nanocomposites
Applications of HAp/DNA Nanocomplexes as Gene Carriers
Tissue Engineering Applications of HAp Nanocomposites Based on Biodegradable Polymers
Applications of HAp Nanocomposites Based on Biodegradable Poylmers as Drug Delivery Systems
Miscellaneous Applications of HAp Nanocomposites Based on Biodegradable Polymers
Concluding Remarks
SYNTHETIC METHODS FOR NANOCOMPOSITES BASED ON POLYESTER RESINS
Introduction
Nanocomposites with Zero-Dimensional Nanofillers
Nanocomposites with One-Dimensional Nanofillers
Nanocomposites with Two-Dimensional Nanofillers
Conclusions
SYNTHESIS FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF Ag/CNT-POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Experimental Procedure
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PVDF-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES
Synthesis of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)
Structure and Piezoelectric Properties of PVDF
Processing of PVDF for Energy Harvesting Applications
Processing of PVDF Based Materials: Polymer/Polymer, Polymer/Nanocfiller, Polymer/Ionomer Blends
PVDF Based Nanocomposites for Energy Harvesting Applications
Conclusion
IN SITU THERMAL, PHOTON, AND ELECTRON-BEAM SYNTHESIS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Thermal-Assisted In Situ Synthesis: Material Choice and Nanocomposite Characterization
Fabrication of Nanocomposites and Patterning
Conclusions
SYNTHESIS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES BY WATER-ASSISTED EXTRUSION
Introduction
Nanocomposites Structure and Characterization
Nanocomposites Preparation
Nanocomposite Properties
Toward Fully Green Composites?
IN SITU PREPARATION OF CONDUCTING POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
In Situ Preparation of Conductive Nanocomposites
Challenges and Outlook
NEAR IR-SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF DISPERSION IN POLYMER-CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES
Introduction
Morphology and Properties
Preparation Methods
Characterization Techniques
Dispersion by Melt Mixing
Online and Inline Monitoring of Dispersion
Conclusions
SYNTHESIS OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES IN SUPERCRITICAL CO2
Introduction
Background on Supercritical CO2
Physical and Chemical Properties of scCO2
Preparation of Polymer/Inorganic Filler Nanocomposites in Supercritical CO2
Conclusions
Index