Description
Book SynopsisThis book provides an introduction to this exciting and relatively new subject with chapters covering natural and synthetic polymers, colloids, surfactants and liquid crystals highlighting the many and varied applications of these materials. Written by an expert in the field, this book will be an essential reference for people working in both industry and academia and will aid in understanding of this increasingly popular topic.
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Contains a new chapter on biological soft matter
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Newly edited and updated chapters including updated coverage of recent aspects of polymer science.
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Contain problems at the end of each chapter to facilitate understanding
Trade Review"...Introduction to Soft Matter is an extremely valuable textbook for undergraduate classes, and represents an excellent introductory reading for the researchers who venture on this field." (
Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2008, 209, 1073)
Table of ContentsPreface to the revised Edition.
Preface to the First Edition.
1. Introduction.
1.1 Introduction.
1.2 Intermolecular Interactions.
1.3 Structural Organization.
1.4 Dynamics.
1.5 Phase Transitions.
1.6 Order Parameters.
1.7 Scaling Laws.
1.8 Polydispersity.
1.9 Experimental Techniques for Investigating Soft Matter.
1.10 Computer Simulation.
Further Reading.
2. Polymers.
2.1 Introduction.
2.2 Synthesis.
2.3 Polymer Chain Conformation.
2.4 Characterization.
2.5 Polymer Solutions.
2.6 Amorphous Polymers.
2.7 Crystalline Polymers.
2.8 Plastics.
2.9 Rubber.
2.10 Fibres.
2.11 Polymer Blends and Block Copolymers.
2.12 Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers.
2.13 Polyelectrolytes.
2.14 Electronic and Opto-electronic Polymers.
Further Reading.
Questions.
3. Colloids.
3.1 Introduction.
3.2 Types of Colloids.
3.3 Forces Between Colloidal Particles.
3.4 Characterization of Colloids.
3.5 Charge Stabilization.
3.6 Steric Stabilization.
3.7 Effect of Polymers on Colloid Stability.
3.8 Kinetic Properties.
3.9 Sols.
3.10 Gels.
3.11 Clays.
3.12 Foams.
3.13 Emulsions.
3.14 Food Colloids.
3.15 Concentrated Colloidal Dispersions.
Further Reading.
Questions.
4. Amphiphiles.
4.1 Introduction.
4.2 Types of Amphiphile.
4.3 Surface Activity.
4.4 Surfactant Monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett Films.
4.5 Adsorption at Solid Interfaces.
4.6 Micellization and the Critical Micelle Concentration.
4.7 Detergency.
4.8 Solubilization in Micelles.
4.9 Interfacial Curvature and Its Relationship to Molecular Structure.
4.10 Liquid Crystal Phases at High Concentrations.
4.11 Membranes.
4.12 Templated Structures.
Further Reading.
Questions.
5. Liquid Crystals.
5.1 Introduction.
5.2 Types of Liquid Crystals.
5.3 Characteristics of Liquid Crystal Phases.
5.4 Identification of Liquid Crystal Phases.
5.5 Orientational Order.
5.6 Elastic Properties.
5.7 Phase Transitions in Liquid Crystals.
5.8 Applications of Liquid Crystals.
Further Reading.
Questions.
6. Biological Soft Matter.
6.1 Introduction.
6.2 Lipid Membranes.
6.3 DNA.
6.4 Proteins.
6.5 Polysaccharides and Glycoproteins.
6.6 Macromolecular Assemblies.
Further Reading.
Questions.
Numerical Solutions to Questions.
Index.
