Handbook of Polymer Crystallization
Edited by Ewa Piorkowska and Gregory C. Rutledge
Hardcover / E-book
ISBN: 978-0-470-38023-9
498 pages
$195 / $156.99
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Reviewed by Professor Shouke Yan, Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Crystalline polymers exhibit strong connections to the practical world. The crystalline structure and crystal orientation provide a most important key factor in regulating the property and/or even functionality of a polymer. For example, poly(vinylidene fluoride) in its α-form crystals, composed of helical chains, can be used only as a general thermoplastic, but its β-form crystals, composed of planar zigzag chains, exhibit exceptional piezo- and pyro-electric properties. It is examples such as these that result in the study of the crystallization of semicrystalline polymers under various conditions being an everlasting research topic over many decades. For those who just come into this field, a book introducing recent progress is of great importance.
The Handbook of Polymer Crystallization is the right book for all researchers in this field. It brings 13 selected topics that are representative of active research in polymer crystallization. They are all well organized by active scientists in the field and provide readers a glimpse of the broad landscape of polymer crystallization without the need for searching the individual papers. It is therefore of much benefit to researchers focused on polymer crystallization. Also the first chapter provides detailed descriptions of experimental techniques, which is very helpful for researchers looking to choose the right experimental methods for the concerned research topics.Chapter 6, dealing with computer modeling of polymer crystallization, is even more important since some aspects of polymer crystallization cannot be well handled through experimental method. In this case, computer modeling will provide a better understanding of the polymer crystallization process. I believe that this book will stimulate further much deeper investigation and effective collaboration in this field.
