Natural Polymers Industry Techniques and Applications
This book introduces the most recent innovations in natural polymer applications in the food, construction, electronics, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and engineering industries. The authors provide perspectives from their respective range of industries cov
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Natural Polymers Industry Techniques and Applications
Natural Polymers
Ololade Olatunji Editor
Natural Polymers Industry Techniques and Applications
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Editor Ololade Olatunji Chemical Engineering Department University of Lagos Akoka, Lagos Nigeria
ISBN 978-3-319-26412-7 ISBN 978-3-319-26414-1 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-26414-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015955390 Springer Cham Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper Springer International Publishing AG Switzerland is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Preface
The word polymer is derived from the Greek word “poly” meaning many and “meros” which means parts. Hence polymer refers to molecules made up of many parts. More specifically, polymers are defined as molecules made up of repeated units of smaller molecules. Although recent decades has seen a boost in the polymers in various industries from pharmaceutical to construction to fashion industries where designer shoes and bags made from synthetic and natural polymers from both plants and animals have become commonplace, polymers have been in existence since the very existence of life. DNA, cellulose, cotton, and rubber are all polymers occurring in nature since the beginning of the ages. Processing of natural polymers has been taking place since the early humans who have long woven and dyed fibers of silk, wool, and carbohydrates from flax and cotton. Natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) has been used by the early South American civilization for waterproofing and elastic materials (Seymour and Carraher 1992). Today processing techniques of natural and synthetic polymers have become more advanced with broader applications from scaffold in tissue engineering (Chap. 5) to films for packaging (Chap. 7). An account of the development of synthetic polymers over the years exists in the literature (Seymour and Car
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