which was integrated into Halpin-Tsai model and Mori-Tanaka model in composite
theory and achieved much better agreement with corresponding experimental data
in higher accuracy.
In this book, Chap. 1 gives a detailed literature survey about biopolymers and
bionanocomposites with a particular focus on PVA based bionanocomposites
reinforced with BCs, MMTs and HNTs. This chapter also demonstrates nanocomposite fabrication, different properties like mechanical and thermal properties, as
well as interphase nanomechanical properties potentially used for micromechanical
modelling. Chapter 2 reports the material selection of PVA, BCs, Cloisite 30B clays
and HNTs, material fabrication and experimental characterisation techniques
employed according to the selected material formulation. Chapter 3 describes the
preliminary assessment to detect material characteristics of BCs in both micro- and
nanosizes. The influences of BC particle sizes and contents on material characterisation, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as nanomechanical properties of
PVA/BC bionanocompisite films are revealed in order to manufacture new ecofriendly and super strong PVA/BC bionanocomposite films. A direct experimental
measurement of Young’s modulus of BCs via atomic force microscopy (AFM) is
also reported for the first time. Chapter 4 presents a holistic study in relation to the
effect of different nanofiller shapes, structures and contents on material characterisation of bionanocomposite films where Cloisite 30B clays, HNTs and BCs are
deemed as typical 1D platelet-like, 2D tubular and 3D irregular-shape nanofillers,
respectively. This chapter uses most of content materials from our published
research article “Mousa M, Dong Y (2020) “The role of nanoparticle shape and
structures in materials characterisation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) bionanocomposite films” Polymers 12(2): 264” under Creative Commons Attribution License.
Chapter 5 introduces a novel approach to measure 3D interphase properties and
dimensions in bionanocomposite systems in terms of interphase surface area and
interphase volume. Chapter 6 illustrates a micromechanical modelling work to
predict the elastic modulus of PVA based bionanocomposites with the estimated
results being compared with those obtained from experimental data. Moreover,
micromechanical models were further developed to consider the incorporation of 3D
interphases in bionanocomposite systems in relation to interphase surface area and
interphase volume. Both Chaps. 5 and 6 are based on our published research article
“Mousa M, Dong Y (2020) Towards sophisticated 3D interphase modelling of
advanced bionanocomposites via atomic force microscopy, J Nanomater, Article ID
4526108” under Creative Commons Attribution License. Chapter 7 reviews the
applications of bionanocomposite materials with a particular emphasis laid upon
electronic and sensor applications, as well as medical applications, along with the
specific recommendations in relation to developed bionanocomposites in this study.
Finally, Appendix provides the supporting information on “Interphase Dimension
Measurement via AFM”.
The first author Mohanad Mousa would like to express the gratitude to the
Higher Committee for Education Development (HCED) in Iraq to offer the Ph.D.
scholarship at Curtin University, Perth, Australia to conduct the research where the
relevant results are disseminated in this book. We also sincerely acknowledge
vi
Preface
theory and achieved much better agreement with corresponding experimental data
in higher accuracy.
In this book, Chap. 1 gives a detailed literature survey about biopolymers and
bionanocomposites with a particular focus on PVA based bionanocomposites
reinforced with BCs, MMTs and HNTs. This chapter also demonstrates nanocomposite fabrication, different properties like mechanical and thermal properties, as
well as interphase nanomechanical properties potentially used for micromechanical
modelling. Chapter 2 reports the material selection of PVA, BCs, Cloisite 30B clays
and HNTs, material fabrication and experimental characterisation techniques
employed according to the selected material formulation. Chapter 3 describes the
preliminary assessment to detect material characteristics of BCs in both micro- and
nanosizes. The influences of BC particle sizes and contents on material characterisation, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as nanomechanical properties of
PVA/BC bionanocompisite films are revealed in order to manufacture new ecofriendly and super strong PVA/BC bionanocomposite films. A direct experimental
measurement of Young’s modulus of BCs via atomic force microscopy (AFM) is
also reported for the first time. Chapter 4 presents a holistic study in relation to the
effect of different nanofiller shapes, structures and contents on material characterisation of bionanocomposite films where Cloisite 30B clays, HNTs and BCs are
deemed as typical 1D platelet-like, 2D tubular and 3D irregular-shape nanofillers,
respectively. This chapter uses most of content materials from our published
research article “Mousa M, Dong Y (2020) “The role of nanoparticle shape and
structures in materials characterisation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) bionanocomposite films” Polymers 12(2): 264” under Creative Commons Attribution License.
Chapter 5 introduces a novel approach to measure 3D interphase properties and
dimensions in bionanocomposite systems in terms of interphase surface area and
interphase volume. Chapter 6 illustrates a micromechanical modelling work to
predict the elastic modulus of PVA based bionanocomposites with the estimated
results being compared with those obtained from experimental data. Moreover,
micromechanical models were further developed to consider the incorporation of 3D
interphases in bionanocomposite systems in relation to interphase surface area and
interphase volume. Both Chaps. 5 and 6 are based on our published research article
“Mousa M, Dong Y (2020) Towards sophisticated 3D interphase modelling of
advanced bionanocomposites via atomic force microscopy, J Nanomater, Article ID
4526108” under Creative Commons Attribution License. Chapter 7 reviews the
applications of bionanocomposite materials with a particular emphasis laid upon
electronic and sensor applications, as well as medical applications, along with the
specific recommendations in relation to developed bionanocomposites in this study.
Finally, Appendix provides the supporting information on “Interphase Dimension
Measurement via AFM”.
The first author Mohanad Mousa would like to express the gratitude to the
Higher Committee for Education Development (HCED) in Iraq to offer the Ph.D.
scholarship at Curtin University, Perth, Australia to conduct the research where the
relevant results are disseminated in this book. We also sincerely acknowledge
vi
Preface