Design of Functional Polymer Nanocomposites

Prof. Rotimi Sadiku is currently an Emeritus Professor at the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.Professor Emmanuel Rotimi Sadiku started his career as early as in 1976 as assistant Supervisor at the Zaria Industries Limited Nigeria and later received the Nigeria Government Scholarship to pursue a BSc [Hons.] (1980) degree at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. During this journey, he received numerous awards as best student and then, received the Nigeria government scholarship to pursue his PHD (1986) in Polymer Science at University of Strathclyde. He did a 1½ years postdoctoral fellowship at the CNR/University of Genova, Italy (1989/90) After receiving postdoctoral fellowship award (Swedish Institute Research Fellowship) he joined (1990) the Department of Polymer Technology, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. He did spend ½ year at the Faculty of Physics, Freiburg University as Visiting Scientist. In 1999, he later received South African Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship award to join University of Stellenbosch, Institute for Polymer Science. Dr. Oluranti Agboola obtained both her Masters’ degree and PhD in chemical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. Her PhD research focused on the use of nanofiltration membranes for the treatment of mine water by first developing theoretical models to predict the performance of the membranes and the study was confirmed in the laboratory. Following the completion of her PhD, she joined the University of South Africa as a postdoctoral fellow and worked on the fabrication of polypropylene nanocomposite membranes for the treatment of wastewater using melt extrusion method. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Covenant University and currently editing a book project entitled “DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES: INTERFACE AND INTERPHASE REACTIONS, COMPATIBILIZATION AND BOND BEHAVIOR, AND FUNCTIONALIZATION PROCEDURES”, to be published by Elsevier in 2025. Prior to that she was a part-tie lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology in 2011-2016. Her main research interests are polymer nanocomposites for membrane synthesis, nanomaterial processing and characterisation and corrosion engineering. She has authored and co-authored over 55 peer reviewed journal articles and 25 fully referred conference papers, contributed chapters in over 20 scientific books. She served a lead guest editor for a special issue in Materials and Corrosion Advancements for the International Journal of Chemical Engineering (Hindawi). She was appointed as the external examiner for post graduate student projects. As an Associate Professor at Covenant University, Nigeria, she worked extensively on the use of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles to combat environmental pollution. Different nanoparticles were integrated into the PET polymer membranes to enhance their performance for the treatment of wastewater and the dehydration of natural gas. Additionally, some of her recent publications are (i) Statistical analyses of pore radii on the performance of PET-nanocomposite membranes in the removal of iron and anions from Ibeshe River. Published by South African Journal of Chemical Engineering; (ii) Synthesis of PET-Magnesium Oxide-Chitosan Nanocomposite Membranes for the Dehydration of Natural Gas. Published by Periodica Polytechnica Chemical EngineeringDr. Kokkarachedu Varaprasad is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Design, San Sebastián University, Chile. He received PhD (2011) in biocidal temperature-sensitive hydrogels from the Department of Polymer Science and Technology, India. He worked as an Investigator at the Advanced Polymer Research Center (CIPA), Chile. He received 3 International Postdoctoral Fellowships at Creighton University, USA, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa, and Concepcion University, Chile. He developed the bioactivity of hybrid nanomaterials for advanced biomedical applications. He has published numerous articles, books, book chapters, and has 2 patents. His name has been listed in the Top 2% of scientists in the world under biomaterials, nanoscience, and nanotechnology in a recent survey conducted by Stanford University. His primary objective is to translate primary nano and polymer technology research results for the next generation of biomedical applications.Dr. Mapula Lucey Mavhungu is a lecturer and Head of the Chemical Engineering section in the Department of Chemical, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). She has more than 15 years’ experience working in both industry and educational environments. She has a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), and a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering obtained from Tshwane School for Business, and TUT respectively

• 1. Interface/interphase of polymer nanocomposites2. Polymer nanocomposites: Outstanding properties, bonds, interface, and reinforcement mechanisms3. Theoretical modelling of interphase/interface of polymer nanocomposites4. Design of polymer composites with tailored interfaces: The impact of the interfaces on the structure, properties, and functionalities of polymer composites5. Compatibilization of polymer nanocomposites: Synthesis and characterization6. Insight on the availability of techniques and procedures to improve material properties and processes especially nanocomposites7. Filler modification of polymer nanocomposites and fabrication methods8. Free radical chains polymerization of polymer nanocomposites9. Surface functionalization of polymer nanocomposites: Role of functionalization procedures and functionality on the final products10. The properties/functionalities enabled by the interfacial chemistries in polymer composites11. Exceptional class of semicrystalline and amorphous nanocomposite polymers for specific needs12. Eco-sustainability of biopolymer-based nanocomposites, production from renewable sources, recyclability, and biodegradability13. The impact on resources and the environment, problems that ensue from polymeric nanocomposites14. Advanced applications of polymer nanocomposites: Recent developments and future opportunities.15. Industrial case studies: Processing procedures and real applications of new nanocomposites