Handbook of Thermosetting Foams, Aerogels, and Hydrogels

Prof. Prasanth Raghavan is a Professor and Head of the Department of Polymer Science and Rubber Technology, CUSAT, India, and Visiting Professor at Gyeongsang National University, Republic of Korea, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), UK, and Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kerala, India. He is indexed as top 2% Scientist in the World. He has around 8500 citations and an h-index of 50. Dr. Sreekala Meyyarappallil Sadasivan is recognized for her research in the field of polymer macro, micro and nanocomposites, polymer foams and their blends. After receiving her Ph.D. in Chemistry (Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam), she held research positions in the Japan and Germany before joining the Sree Sankara College. Currently she is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at School of Chemical Sciences, director of School of Polymer Science and Technology (SPST) and Joint director of School of Nanoscience and Technology (SNST) and International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IIUCNN), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. The research in Sreekala’s laboratory is focused on development and property improvements of polymer composites for high end automotive, aerospace and structural applications, development of fully biodegradable, green and sustainable polymer composites from natural fibers, biopolymers etc. for industrial application, electronic applications of polymer nanocomposites such as nanogenerators, electromagnetic shielding (EMI) etc., biomedical applications of polymer composites for effective wound healing and development of biofiller entrapped polymer nanocomposites for water remediation. She was ranked among the top 2% of scientists in the world (Rising Stars List) according to a subject-by subject study undertaken by a team from Stanford University and Scopus experts for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. She has an h-index of 38 and total citation of 7306. She is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Indian Rubber Institute, and was the recipient of JSPS and AvH fellowship, CSIR senior research fellowship and ICS-UNIDO fellowship.Dr. Lakshmipriya Ravindran is NavaKerala Post-Doctoral Fellow (NKPDF), International and Inter University Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IIUCNN) Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India- 686560. With a focus on a wide array of research areas, her contributions have been instrumental in advancing the field of materials science and nanotechnology. Her primary research interests encompass the synthesis of nano materials sourced from both bio-origin and synthetic materials. A significant portion of her work revolves around the preparation of nanocomposites and macrocomposites, exploring their applications across various domains. Her expertise extends to the realm of flexible electronics, polymer foams, polymer hydrogels, and membranes designed for water purification. Dr. Ravindran has also delved into the conversion of biomass for energy storage, a crucial area for sustainable energy solutions. She has authored many papers, book chapters and edited books. She convened many international conferences. Also delivered invited talks in international conferences within India and abroad. She has bagged best oral presentation in an international conference and best poster presentation in a national conference.Dr. Ankitha Menon is a Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) at the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Palakkad, Kerala, India. Her dedication to research is evident in her extensive publication record, with 20 international journal publications and numerous presentations at international conferences.

• Section I: Introduction 1. Foams, aerogels and hydrogels: The state of the art and prospective technologies.2. Opportunities and versatile applications of thermoset foams, aerogels, and hydrogels: Current state of the art and anticipated developments3. Environmental impact and recycling technologies of thermoset resin, foams, aerogels and hydrogelsSection II: Polyurethane-based Foams, Aerogels, and Hydrogels4. Polyurethane (PU): Structure, properties, and applications5. Polyurethane foam: The foaming process and the effect of process parameters on properties6. Polyurethane nanocomposite foams: Preparation, properties and applications7. Polyurethane based hydrogels synthesis, properties, and modifications8. Polyurethane-based aerogels: Preparation, properties, and applications9. Polyurethane-based foam and aerogels for automotive and aerospace applications9. Shape memory polyurethane-based foams and aerogels10. Challenges in design, processing and use of PU foam/aerogel materialsSection III: Epoxy-based foams, aerogels, and hydrogels11. Epoxy resins: Synthesis, structure, and properties12. Epoxy-based hydrogels: Network design, characterization, and applications13. Epoxy: Foaming processes and the effect of process parameters on properties of epoxy foam14. Epoxy foams reinforcing with nanomaterials: Synthesis, mechanical properties and applications15. Shape memory epoxy foam-defense and aerospace applicationsSection IV: Formaldehyde-based foams, aerogels, and hydrogels16. Phenolic resin: Preparation, structure, properties, and applications17. Phenolic foams: Foaming processes and applications18. Phenolic foams: Structure-property relationships and insulating properties19. Phenolic aerogels: Preparation, properties, and applications20. Phenolic foams reinforced with nanomaterials: Preparation, properties, and applications21. Melamine-formaldehyde hydrogels, foams, and aerogels: Preparation, properties and applications22. Urea formaldehyde foams, aerogels and hydrogels: Preparation, properties and applications23. Carbon foams derived from thermosetting polymers: Preparation, properties and applications24. Carbon foams derived from phenol and melamine formaldehyde thermosetting polymers: Preparation, properties, and applications25. Carbon foams derived from thermosetting epoxy, polyimides and cellulosic polymers: Environmental and electrical or electrochemical applications