Functionalized Polymers and their Applications

This is a review of the broad spectrum of research activities currently being undertaken in the field of functionalized polymers and their significant application requirements in health, nutrition, environmental pollution control and economic developments. The book is structured in four parts. The first part is a general review of the chemistry of functionalized polymers, divided into sections on their synthesis and physical properties. The first section aims to give a background knowledge of the techniques necessary for designing reactive polymers through polymerization and the second considers pertinent physical properties which must be considered during the design of a new reactive polymer. Part two describes the contribution of functionalized polymers in solving problems associated with conventional procedures of chemical reactions, and considers a broad range of chemical applications, including the various types of functionalized polymers and in particular those used as reagents, catalysts and carriers in separation and synthesis. The third part aims to provide the basic principles necessary for the practical aspects of functionalized polymers with respect to a variety of biological fields such as the pharmaceutical, agriculture and food industries. This discussion includes a consideration of controlled release formulations of drugs and agrochemicals and the potential use of functionalized polymers in food additives and other related fields. The last part focuses on the applications of reactive functionalized polymers in various technological processes, including polymer stabilization, the conversion and storage of energy, conductive polymers and other processes.