Functional Properties and Application Potential

A prehminary study of the use of larch AGs in aqueous two-phase systems [394] revealed that this polysaccharide provides a low-cost alternative to fractionated dextrans for use in aqueous two-phase, two-polymer systems with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The narrow molecular-weight distribution (Mw/Mn of 1-2) and low viscosity at high concentration of AG can be exploited for reproducible separations of proteins under a variety of conditions. The AG/PEG systems were used with success for batch extractive bioconversions of cornstarch to cyclodextrin and glucose. 

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Functional Properties and Application Potential of Cereal j -glucans... 

Despite the vast number of reported syntheses, crystal structures, properties and applications of monomeric Pcs, it is still difficult to clarify clearly the synthetic mechanisms of Pcs in various conditions, to predict fully the supramolecular structures of Pcs in the solid state (except for a very few types of simple Pcs), and to elucidate completely the correlation between molecular structure and properties. The large-scale preparation and separation of some novel Pcs with interestingly properties is still very hard. On the basis of the great potential applications of Pcs in high-tech fields, exploitation of multi-functional Pc materials needs to be strengthened in the future. There is still plenty of room for further investigation of Pc chemistry. 

We review the research on preparation, morphology, especially physical properties and applications of polyurethane (PU)/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites. First, we provide a brief introduction about the preparation of PU/CNT nanocomposites. Then, the functionalization and the dispersion morphology of CNTs as well as the structures of the nanocomposites are also introduced. After that, we discuss in detail the effects of carbon nanotubes on the physical properties (including mechanical, thermal, electrical, rheological and other properties) of PU/CNT nanocomposites. The potential applications of these nanocomposites are also addressed. Finally, the challenges and the research that needs to be done in the future for achieving high-performance polyurethane/carbon nanotube nanocomposites are prospected. 

This survey of synthetic routes to metallopolymers completes the discussion of introductory topics in this chapter. In the following chapters, the main classes of metal-containing polymers will be discussed, with emphasis not only on synthetic details, but also on their properties and applications. The general philosophy will be to focus on well-characterized and well-studied materials which are truly polymeric in nature (Mn> 10,000, see section 1.2.3) rather than to exhaustively discuss every metallopolymer mentioned in the literature. Particular attention is given to examples where studies of properties and potential functions have been performed. 

The book includes five chapters that mention the following topics Introduction of chemosensory effects and the properties and applications of stearic acid in food industry Functions of stearic acid in rubber industry Physicochemical properties and applications of stearic acid in biomedical sciences Practical use as a lubricant in tablets direct compression and the last topic is an overview on introduction and potential applications of deuterated hydroxystearic acids. 

Studies on PEM are of interest because of the versatility of multilayer formation process with respect to variety of support materials, combination with other assembly techniques and possibility of incorporation of different functional species [1-4]. PEM are applied in chemical and biochemical sensing or preparation of new biomaterials. When colloidal particles or emulsion droplets are used as cores for polyelectrolyte deposition one can obtain hollow micro- and nanocapsules. Such capsules have potential as drug delivery systems [5] capable of sustained release [6,7], microreactors [8,9] or catalytic systems [8-10]. Detailed summaries on the properties and application of PEM prepared by LbL technique can be found in [1,11]. 

Until recently, research work on the structure, properties and applications of proteins were mainly considered within the scientific field of Food Science. To reach a better understanding of properties and to define the potential applications of material proteins, it is essential to compare their structural features with those of chemically synthesised organic polymers used to produce plastic materials. Novel research on nonfood uses of agricultural resources, and especially on material proteins , has led to the application of Polymer Science concepts and tools to investigate the structure-function relationships of these macromolecular organisations. This involves ... 

Finally, the remarkable mechanical properties and reinforcing potential, renew-ability, biobased nature, biodegradability and unique nanostructured porous network of BC make it a perfect candidate for polymer and hybrid nanocomposites development. In this sense, extensive research has been carried on the design of innovative BC nanocomposite materials with improved and functional properties, by combination with several natural and synthetic polymers as well as inorganic nanophases, for a wide range of biomedical and technological applications. This will be the object of the two coming sections. 

This chapter focuses on three major divisions of CPPAs organized by their defining subunit (i) acenaphthylenes, (ii) pentalenes, and (iii) indacenes (Figure 2.1). Reviews on the history, synthesis, properties, and applications of PAs are available [ 5 - 8]. So we highlight the recent synthetic work in the CPPA field and provide discussion of properties with an eye for potential application as functional materials. 

Ring-fluorinated isoquinoline derivatives thus synthesized exhibit a wide range of bioactivities that rival or surpass those of the original fluorine-free compounds, hi addition to such remarkable potentials in the field of pharmaceutical sciences, the formation of supramolecular structures and the use of ligands of light-emitting metal complexes have also attracted considerable attention as possible functions of fluoroisoquinolines. This section describes conaete examples of the properties and applications of fluoroisoquinoline derivatives. 

In laboratory situations, metastable aluminium trifluoride phases having structures that are more open than the close-packed a-AIFa show some promise as acid catalysts. Other types of functionalized oxides, which have acidic properties and therefore potential catalytic value, include sulfated oxides (for a recent laboratory application in organo-fluorine chemistry see reference 3) and fluorinated clays." ... 

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