CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS: AN OVERVIEW Introduction Characterization of Morphology and Properties Examples of Characterization Techniques THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FILLERS AND POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction TGA of Fillers TGA of Polymer Nanocomposites DSC of Fillers DSC of Composites FLAME RETARDANDY CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Types of Flame Retardant Nanoadditives Thermal, Flammability, and Smoke Characterization Techniques Thermal and Flame Retardancy of Polymer Nanocomposites PVT CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERIC NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Components of Polymeric Nanocomposites Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) Measurements Derivatives; Compressibility and Thermal Expansion Coefficient Thermodynamic Theories Thermodynamic Interaction Coefficients Theoretical Predictions Summary and Conclusions FOLLOWING THE NANOCOMPOSITES SYNTHESIS BY RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY AND X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY (XPS) Nanocomposites Based on POSS and Polymer Matrix Raman and XPS Applied in Synthesis of Nanocomposites Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Polymers TRIBOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Tribological Fundamentals Wear Experiments Selection Criteria Design of Polymer Nanocomposites and Multiscale-Composites Selected Experimental Results DIELECTRIC RELAXATION SPECTROSCOPY FOR POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Theory of Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy PVDF/Clay Nanocomposites PVDF/BaTiO3 Nanocomposites PVDF/Fe3O4 Nanocomposites Comparative Analysis of PVDF Nanocomposites Conclusions AFM CHARACTERIZATION OF POLMYER NANOCOMPOSITES Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Elasticity Measured by AFM Example Studies Conclusion ELECTRON PARAMAGNETIC RESONANCE AND SOLID-STATE NMR STUDIES OF THE SURFACTANT INTERPHASE IN POLYMER-CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction NMR, EPR and Spin Labeling Techniques Characterization of Organically Modified Layered Silicates Characterization of Nanocomposites Conclusion CHARACTERIZATION OF RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Fundamental Rheological Theory for Studying Polymer Nanocomposites Characterization of Rheological Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites Conclusions SEGMENTAL DYNAMICS OF POLYMERS IN POLYMER/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES STUDIED BY SPIN-LABELING ESR Introduction Spin-Labeling: Basic Principles Exfoliated Poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA)/Clay Nanocomposites Intercalated Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/Clay Nanocomposites Conclusions CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITE COLLOIDS BY SEDIMENTATION ANALYSIS Introduction Materials and Experimental Methods Results and Discussion Conclusions BIODEGRADABILITY CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES Introduction Methods of Measuring Biodegradation Standards for Biodegradation Biodegradable Nanocomposites Starch Nanocomposites PCL Nanocomposites PHA/PHB Nanocomposites Nanocomposites of Petrochemical Based Polymer Conclusions.