Biomedical polymers electrical properties

Paul and Robeson et al. [139] have published an extremely informative review on the properties of exfoliated nanoclay-based nanocomposites. These have dominated the polymer literature, but there are a large number of other significant areas of current and emerging interest. This review details the technology involved with exfoliated clay-based nanocomposites and also includes other important areas, such as barrier properties, flammability resistance, biomedical applications, electrical/electronic/optoelectronic applications, and fuel cell interests. The important question of the nanoeffect of nanoparticles or fiber inclusion relative to their large-scale counterparts is addressed relative to crystallization and glass transition behavior. Other polymer (and composite)-based properties derive benefits from the nanoscale filler or fiber addition, and fhese questions are addressed. 

The final chapter, Chapter 14, is concerned with polymer gels from the standpoint of functional polymer aggregates. Of particular interest is the potential of thermoresponsive gels as well as chemically responsive ones. A description of their electrical properties and their application for biomedical use and in drug delivery as well as for selective separation is described. 

Finally, for practical reasons it is useful to classify polymeric materials according to where and how they are employed. A common subdivision is that into structural polymers and functional polymers. Structural polymers are characterized by - and are used because of - their good mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. Hence, they are primarily used as construction materials in addition to or in place of metals, ceramics, or wood in applications like plastics, fibers, films, elastomers, foams, paints, and adhesives. Functional polymers, in contrast, have completely different property profiles, for example, special electrical, optical, or biological properties. They can assume specific chemical or physical functions in devices for microelectronic, biomedical applications, analytics, synthesis, cosmetics, or hygiene. 

Conducting polymers capable of conducting ions or electrons are recently recognized as attractive candidates for biomedical appUcations owing to their electric field-controllable properties. A number of conducting polymers are commercially available or can be easily synthesized by methods such as electrodeposition on surfaces. The most commonly known conducting polymers and their electrical conductivity values are tabulated in Table 2.1. 

---