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This book discusses the synthesis of catalytic materials with improved and tailored functionalities via the sol-gel method. Beginning with a general outline of traditional sol-gel chemistry, the book gradually explores surrounding topics, such as the formation of porous structures, while guiding the overall discussion toward the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts and focusing throughout on the structure-activity relationship in catalytic materials. Featuring several case studies covering major current industrial applications, the book is an ideal guide for researchers looking to tailor catalytic materials for a specific catalytic process and thus exploiting the versatility of the “traditional” sol-gel method.

This book discusses fundamental aspects of super absorbent polymers (SAPs), insight into the synthesis and modification of SAPs as well as their potential applications in different domains.SAPs are bio-based material that has attracted much interest due to their unique structural properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, etc. The book exhibits a unique combination of SAP designing, synthetic strategies, properties and chemistry along with SAP's application in the field of drug delivery, firefighting and biosensors, agriculture, etc. Various approaches to make these products a cost-effective and sustainable are discussed precisely in this book. Additionally, the approaches from the perspective of academic organization and research laboratories, many readers are able to learn the insights of the connection between super absorbent polymers in the agriculture field by reducing seedling mortality owing to their water storage capacity in soil. This book written byeminent researchers can be a useful reference for graduate, post-graduate students and researchers working in the file of super absorbent polymers, polymer technology, hygiene industry, etc.

This book covers the latest developments in phenolic foams and their applications. Compared with polystyrene and polyurethane foams, phenolic foams are known as third-generation polymeric foams. Phenolic foams exhibit excellent fire-retardant properties, including low flammability, low peak heat release rate, no dripping during combustion, and low toxicity. This book discusses various aspects of phenolic foams including properties, synthesis, fabrication methodologies, and applications. The contents also cover the methods for toughening of phenolic foams to make them more widely applicable. This book is of interest to both academics and industry alike. It is also a useful reference for fire safety regulators and policy-makers looking for new materials and methods for sustainable fire protection.

This book introduces the fascinating world of self-assembly in mesoporous ordered silica films. Beginning from a single droplet, it guides the reader, in a step-by-step learning process, how to obtain and control ordered porous mesophases in thin films by varying only the precursor chemistry and the process. It explains, in great detail, how order control is achieved through chemical design and post-deposition processing, the latter of which is a unique property in materials science. The book places a special focus on silica, whose particularly complex chemistry enables order control over a range of different length scales. This book is suitable for students and researchers in the fields of sol-gel or colloidal chemistry and interested in the topics of self-assembly and mesoporous phases.