Structure and Organization of Metal Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrices.- Nanoparticles in Materials Chemistry and in the Natural Sciences (Introduction).- Nucleation Mechanism of Nanoparticles and Metal Clusters, their Structure and Chief Properties.- Principles and Mechanisms of Nanoparticle Stabilization by Polymers.- Synthetic Methods for Metallopolymer Nanocomposite Preparation.- Physical Methods of Incorporating Nanoparticles into Polymers.- Chemical Methods of Metal-Polymer Nanocomposite Production.- Physico-Chemical Methods of Metal-Polymer Nanocomposite Production.- Hybrid Polymer-Inorganic Nanocomposites.- The Sol-Gel Process in Formation of Hybrid Nanocomposites.- Polymer Intercalation into Porous and Layered Nanostructures.- Nanobiocomposites.- The Main Applications of Metal-Polymeric Nanocomposites.- Nanoparticle Modifying Action on Polymers.- Magnetic, Electrical and Optical Properties of Metal-Polymer Nanocomposites.- Metallopolymeric Nanocatalysis.- Conclusion.

Highly dispersed nanoscale particles in polymer matrices are currently attracting great interest in many fields of chemistry, physics, and materials science. This book presents and analyzes the essential data on nanoscale metal clusters dispersed in, or chemically bonded with polymers. Special attention is paid to the in situ synthesis of the nanocomposites, their chemical interactions, and the size and distribution of the particles in the polymer matrix. Numerous novel nanocomposites are described with regard to their mechanical, electrophysical, optical, magnetic, catalytic, and biological properties. Their applications, present and future, are outlined. The book is addressed both to researchers who actively use these materials and to students entering this multidisciplinary field.