About the Book
Handbook of Thermosetting Foams, Aerogels, and Hydrogels: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications presents the latest knowledge on the preparation, characterization, properties, and applications of thermoset foams, aerogels, and hydrogels.
This book begins by introducing thermoset foams, aerogels, and hydrogels, their characteristics, current applications, potential for further development, and environmental impact. This is followed by three sections, each focusing on foams, aerogels, and hydrogels developed from a specifi c thermosetting polymer category, covering polyurethane, epoxy resins, and formaldehyde. In each section, detailed coverage guides the reader through the preparation, structure, characterization, properties, processing, and applications of foams, aerogels, and hydrogels based on that material, as well as addressing key challenges in terms of design, processing, and implementation, and possible solutions.
This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students with an interest in thermoset lightweight materials, across the disciplines of polymer science, chemistry, nanotechnology, materials science, and engineering. This is also of interest to R&D professionals, engineers, and scientists working with foams, hydrogels, and aerogels for a range of applications and industries.
Table of Contents:
Section I: Introduction
1. Foams, aerogels and hydrogels: The state of the art and prospective technologies.
2. Opportunities and versatile applications of thermoset foams, aerogels, and hydrogels: Current state of the art and anticipated developments
3. Environmental impact and recycling technologies of thermoset resin, foams, aerogels and hydrogels
Section II: Polyurethane-based Foams, Aerogels, and Hydrogels
4. Polyurethane (PU): Structure, properties, and applications
5. Polyurethane foam: The foaming process and the effect of process parameters on properties
6. Polyurethane nanocomposite foams: Preparation, properties and applications
7. Polyurethane based hydrogels synthesis, properties, and modifications
8. Polyurethane-based aerogels: Preparation, properties, and applications
9. Polyurethane-based foam and aerogels for automotive and aerospace applications
9. Shape memory polyurethane-based foams and aerogels
10. Challenges in design, processing and use of PU foam/aerogel materials
Section III: Epoxy-based foams, aerogels, and hydrogels
11. Epoxy resins: Synthesis, structure, and properties
12. Epoxy-based hydrogels: Network design, characterization, and applications
13. Epoxy: Foaming processes and the effect of process parameters on properties of epoxy foam
14. Epoxy foams reinforcing with nanomaterials: Synthesis, mechanical properties and applications
15. Shape memory epoxy foam-defense and aerospace applications
Section IV: Formaldehyde-based foams, aerogels, and hydrogels
16. Phenolic resin: Preparation, structure, properties, and applications
17. Phenolic foams: Foaming processes and applications
18. Phenolic foams: Structure-property relationships and insulating properties
19. Phenolic aerogels: Preparation, properties, and applications
20. Phenolic foams reinforced with nanomaterials: Preparation, properties, and applications
21. Melamine-formaldehyde hydrogels, foams, and aerogels: Preparation, properties and applications
22. Urea formaldehyde foams, aerogels and hydrogels: Preparation, properties and applications
23. Carbon foams derived from thermosetting polymers: Preparation, properties and applications
24. Carbon foams derived from phenol and melamine formaldehyde thermosetting polymers: Preparation, properties, and applications
25. Carbon foams derived from thermosetting epoxy, polyimides and cellulosic polymers: Environmental and electrical or electrochemical applications
About the Author :
Prof. Prasanth Raghavan is a Professor and Head of the Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, CUSAT, India, and Visiting Professor at Gyeongsang National University, Republic of Korea, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), UK, and Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kerala, India. He is indexed as top 2% Scientist in the World. He has around 8500 citations and an h-index of 50. Dr. Sreekala Meyyarappallil Sadasivan is recognized for her research in the field of polymer macro, micro and nanocomposites, polymer foams and their blends. After receiving her Ph.D. in Chemistry (Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam), she held research positions in the Japan and Germany before joining the Sree Sankara College. Currently she is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at School of Chemical Sciences, director of School of Polymer Science and Technology (SPST) and Joint director of School of Nanoscience and Technology (SNST) and International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IIUCNN), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The research in Sreekala’s laboratory is focused on development and property improvements of polymer composites for high end automotive, aerospace and structural applications, development of fully biodegradable, green and sustainable polymer composites from natural fibers, biopolymers etc. for industrial application, electronic applications of polymer nanocomposites such as nanogenerators, electromagnetic shielding (EMI) etc., biomedical applications of polymer composites for effective wound healing and development of biofiller entrapped polymer nanocomposites for water remediation. She was ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world (Rising Stars List) according to a subject-by subject study undertaken by a team from Stanford University and Scopus experts for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. She has an h-index of 38 and total citation of 7306. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Indian Rubber Institute, and was the recipient of JSPS and AvH fellowship, CSIR senior research fellowship and ICS-UNIDO fellowship.
Dr. Lakshmipriya Ravindran is NavaKerala Post-Doctoral Fellow (NKPDF), International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IIUCNN) Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India- 686560. With a focus on a wide array of research areas, her contributions have been instrumental in advancing the field of materials science and nanotechnology. Her primary research interests encompass the synthesis of nano materials sourced from both bio-origin and synthetic materials. A significant portion of her work revolves around the preparation of nanocomposites and macrocomposites, exploring their applications across various domains. Her expertise extends to the realm of flexible electronics, polymer foams, polymer hydrogels, and membranes designed for water purification. Dr. Ravindran has also delved into the conversion of biomass for energy storage, a crucial area for sustainable energy solutions. She has authored many papers, book chapters and edited books. She convened many international conferences. Also delivered invited talks in international conferences within India and abroad. She has bagged best oral presentation in an international conference and best poster presentation in a national conference.
Dr. Ankitha Menon is a Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) at the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Palakkad, Kerala, India. Her dedication to research is evident in her extensive publication record, with 20 international journal publications and numerous presentations at international conferences.
