Multifunctional polymers properties

In a recent study, some authors proposed the employment of thiolated polymers obtained by the immobilization of thiol groups on well-established multifunctional polymers such as poly(acrylates) and chitosans as functional agents having mucoadhesive, penetration enhancement, and enzyme-inhibiting properties [94,95]. 

In the near future, the use of multifunctional polymer-based materials with separation/selective transport capabilities is also to be expected in the design of production systems with integrated environmental protection or inthe combination of chemical reactions and separation by attaching a catalytic functionality to the respective material [1]. Thus, those multifunctional materials should contribute materially to the development of clean energy and/or energy saving and therefore sustainable production technologies. In connection with these perspectives, there is considerable interest in new/modified polymer-based materials with tailored transport/catalytic properties. Also, many sensor applications are based on controlled permeation. 

Table 8.1 Examples of multifunctional polymers and their properties...

Nierstrasz, V., 2012. Surface modification and functionahsation of textile materials Digital finishing for functional and smart textile materials. In EMRS Fall Meeting 2012, Warsaw, Symposium B Renewable Polymers as Multifunctional Materials Properties, Processing, Applications. 

His research interest is focused on the synthesis and development of novel organic functional materials in the area of emerging technologies. This includes multifunctional polymers, molecular glasses, and supramolecular polymer additives and gelators. Combinatorial methods to efficiently synthesize and screen materials properties of polymer and supramolecular materials and functions of devices are an additional aspect. 

Huang, K.K., Fang, F.Y., Hsu, J.C., Kuo, C.C., Chang, W.H., and Chen, W.C. (2011) Synthesis, micellar structures, and multifunctional sensory properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-Wocfe-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) rod-coil diblock copolymers. J. Polym. Sci. A, 49,147-155. 

Carbon nanotubes possess a combination of good thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties that maJse them an excellent candidate for the fabrication of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites. The CNTs are stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, thus the mechanical reinforcement of nanotubes for the polymer/CNT based composites is one of the most investigated fields. 

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