This book presents an overview of recent academic and industrial research efforts concerning halogen-free flame-retardant (FR) polymers and their nanocomposites. It summarizes the synthesis methods for various types of halogen-free FR polymers and their nanocomposites, and critically reviews their flame-retardant behavior, toxic-gas evolution during combustion, and inhibition methods.In turn, the book discusses the importance of metal oxide nanoparticles, nanoclay, and graphene in flame inhibition and addresses the FR properties of various FR compounds containing polymers, their FR mechanisms, and fire toxicant releasing and inhibition methods in detail. It systematically covers the synergetic effects between different FR compounds, and explains the significance of thermal stability and melt dripping for polymers¿ FR properties.The fundamental concepts described here are essential to understanding the FR behaviors of various polymers and their nanocomposites, and to developing efficient, environmentally friendly FR polymers and nanocomposites for a wide range of applications. This book is ideally suited for researchers in the fields of polymer science and engineering, and for graduate students in chemistry and materials science.

Professor Suprakas Sinha Ray received his PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Calcutta in 2001 and is currently a chief researcher on polymer nanocomposites at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa, and director of the DST-CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials. Prof. Ray's current research focuses on polymer-based advanced nanostructured materials and their applications. He is one of the most active and highly cited authors in the field of polymer nanocomposite materials and was recently rated by Thomson Reuters as one of the Top 1% most impactful and influential scientists and Top 50 high-impact chemists (out of 2 million chemists worldwide).  Prof. Ray has co-authored 3 edited books and authored 4 books and 30 book chapters on various aspects of polymer-based nano-structured materials & their applications he has also co-authored or authored 350 articles in high-impact international journals and 30 articles in national and international conference proceedings. He holds 6 patents, and he and his research team have commercially developed 19 different products. His honors and awards include South Africa's most prestigious 2016 South Africa National Science and Technology Award (NSTF), the 2014 CSIR-wide Leadership Award, the 2014 CSIR Human Capital Development Award, the 2013 Morand Lambla Award (top award in the field of polymer processing worldwide), and an award from the International Polymer Processing Society, USA. He also serves as an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Johannesburg. Dr. Malkappa Kuruma is a senior researcher at the DST-CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria, South Africa. He received his PhD in chemistry from the University of Hyderabad in 2017. Dr. Kuruma is the author of 11 articles in international peer-reviewed journals and 8 articles in various national and international conference proceedings. His research interests include the development of new methods in polymer synthesis, especially water dispersible polyurethanes, structure-property relationships in polyurethanes, and the development of new polymers for numerous applications such as coatings, paints, adhesives, textiles, biodegradable and biological applications.