Structural Science of Crystalline Polymers

This book focuses on the modern development of techniques for analysis of the hierarchical structure of polymers from both the experimental and theoretical points of view. Starting with molecular and crystal symmetry, the author explains fundamental and professional methods, such as wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering, neutron diffraction, electron diffraction, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, NMR, and synchrotron radiation. In addition, the author explains another indispensable method, computer simulation, which includes energy calculation, lattice dynamics, molecular dynamics, and quantum chemistry. These various methods are described in a systematic way so that the reader can utilize them for the purpose of 3D structure analysis of polymers. Not only such analytical knowledge but also the preparation techniques of samples necessary for these measurements and the methods of analyzing the experimental data collected in this way are given in a concrete manner. Examples are offered tohelp master the principles of how to clarify the static structures and dynamic structural changes in the phase transitions of various kinds of crystalline polymers that are revealed by these novel methods. The examples are quite useful for readers who want to apply these techniques in finding practical solutions to concrete problems that are encountered in their own research. The principal audience for this book is made up of young professional researchers including those working in industry, but it can also be used as an excellent reference for graduate-level students.

This book is the first volume of a two-volume set with Structural Science of Crystalline Polymers: A Microscopically Viewed Structure–Property Relationship being the second volume by the same author.

Kohji Tashiro received a Ph.D. from Osaka University in 1978. He was appointed as an Assistant Professor in 1984 at Osaka University and was promoted to Full Professor in 1996. He has conducted research as a Principal Professor and currently as a Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School of Engineering, Toyota Technological Institute.

His research interests include the structure analysis and clarification of the structure–property relationship of polymers and related compounds from the hierarchical point of view. 

He has published some 400 original articles and 140 review articles and has contributed to 70 books.  He has published original articles in internationally renowned journals such as Macromolecules and Nature, among others.

The several awards he has received include those from the Society of Polymer Science, Japan; the Fiber Society of Japan; and the IUPAC (the Paul J Flory Award).