Advances in Polycarbonates

Polycarbonates (1) are an interesting and commercially successful class of polymers. Known for useful properties such as high heat capability, optical clarity, and incredible toughness, polycarbonates continue to generate academic interest as well as finding new avenues for commercial utilization. Although aromatic polycarbonates were first reported in the literature just over 100 years ago, the number of patents and publications continues to climb each year. The field of polycarbonate research is very diverse, with novel work covering the entire range of theoretical calculations, synthesis, physical measurements and analysis, as well as new additives, blends and applications. This volume is based on a symposium, "Advances in Polycarbonates," held at the National ACS Meeting in New Orleans, in March, 2003. It collects chapters from a variety of authors describing recent work or reviews on an assortment of polycarbonate topics.