Polymer Structure Characterization: From Nano to Macro Organization (Issues in Environmental Scienc) Book

Crystalline organic materials and polymers exhibit a range of degrees of organisation which dictates their physical properties. This organisation morphology is a consequence of a complex interplay of a number of competing factors. This book attempts to bring together and simply present in a logical fashion the way in which molecular interactions lead to the observed morphologies. The book is aimed at undergraduates/postgraduates who are interested in materials issues. The book is arranged into self-contained chapters on various aspects of materials science and as such are self-contained discussions of topics such as: organic crystal, liquid crystals, plastic crystals, polymer morphology, polymer crystallization, amorphous glassy materials, polymer surfaces, polymer phase separation and structure and organisation in materials. A good knowledge of physical chemistry or chemical physics would be appropriate, however, many of the topics are discussed in such a manner that a detailed knowledge or mathematics or chemistry is not essential for an appreciation of the material presented. The book should provide complementary material for a range of courses in materials science, molecular chemistry and chemical physics.