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Langmuir 1998, 14, 6332
Book Reviews Polymer Colloids: A Comprehensive Introduction. Robert M. Fitch. Academic Press: London. 1997. 346 pages. This book is the eighth in the Academic Press series on colloid science. Each of the books in the series has been written by a single author with the remit of giving a personal perspective on a particular aspect of colloid science. This book follows on in that tradition and is very much a personal review of the field of polymer colloids, a field that the author has in many ways helped to define. However, unlike the other books in the series, which tend to deal with quite specific topics in depth, this book spans a wide range of topics in an introductory style. The aim of the book is clearly stated at the outset as an “attempt to introduce the beginner to the field with a solid foundation of the fundamentals, without getting involved in details to the extent that the overall picture is lost”. There is no doubt that the 11 chapters do provide the reader with a most useful first look into the science of polymer colloids and an insight into their practical applications. A quick look through the book immediately reveals one of its strong points: it is extensively illustrated with well-chosen diagrams, micrographs, and plots of data. There are 256 figures in total, and they will greatly assist the newcomer in developing an understanding of the many scientific principles introduced. Another feature that beginners will find useful are the “boxed” statements of important points. The extensive list of symbols given at the beginning is helpful but does highlight some potential confusion since in several instances the same symbol is used for quite different quantities, though in most cases these do not conflict within a given chapter. An unusual feature is that the references are called in numerical sequence from the first to the last chapter, but the details are placed at the end of the chapter in which they are called (i.e., ref 1 is listed at the end of chapter 1, refs 2-41 at the end of chapter 2, refs 42-48 at the end of chapter 3, etc.). Nevertheless, this does not present a problem because the references are not used outside the chapter in which they are called and, as far as I can see, there is no duplication of references from one chapter to another. The first chapter, Introduction (5 pages), serves to define some basic terms and to provide a very brief overview of the chemistry, physics, and applications of polymer colloids. Chapter 2 (42 pages) concerns Emulsion Polymerization and focuses on mechanistic aspects, in particular particle nucleation and polymerization kinetics. The coverage is succinct, quite comprehensive, and very much a personal view; though a more extensive account of the work of Gilbert and Napper would have been appropriate, instead the author directs the reader to Gilbert’s book (which is the preceding volume in the Academic Press colloid science series). The chapter concludes with a short account of factors that influence the morphology of multiphase particles. Chapter 3 on Practical Applications of Emulsion Polymerization (11 pages) provides a very basic guide to the different ways of carrying out an emulsion polymerization, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each of the processes. Chapter 4 (14 pages) completes the polymerization aspects by covering Nonaqueous Dispersions. The main topics are nonaqueous emulsion polymerization (including ionic and step polymerization routes) and inverse emulsion polymerization. These routes to polymer colloids are compared and contrasted with conventional emulsion polymerization. There are, however, two important methods for the preparation of polymer colloids that are not covered in these chapters, namely, aqueous dispersion polymerization and the dispersion of preformed polymers. The subject of chapter 5 (72 pages, the longest in the book) is the Characterization of Polymer Colloids. This is an excellent, comprehensive account of the wide range of techniques used to characterize polymer colloids. The techniques include light scattering methods, neutron scattering, optical, electron, and atomic force microscopy, hydrodynamic chromatography, sedimentation methods, NMR spectroscopy, dielectric spectroscopy, latex cleaning, and particle surface characterization methods.
Theoretical and experimental aspects are given at an entirely appropriate level, and there are very useful discussions of the advantages and limitations of each of the techniques. The reader will emerge from this chapter with a very clear understanding of what techniques are most appropriate to characterization of any given polymer colloid. Chemistry at the Interface, chapter 6 (28 pages), begins by describing how functional groups can be introduced on particle surfaces and used in subsequent reactions. This theme is developed further with descriptions of how polymer colloids can be produced for uses in heterogeneous catalysis and the biomedical field. I found this to be an informative review of a topic that often is neglected. Chapters 7-9 are firmly based in colloid science and constitute about one-third of the book. Chapter 7 (55 pages) covers Latex Stability, beginning with a critical overview of theories of electrostatic stabilization and then progressing onto steric and electrosteric stabilization. This is followed by a nice summary of coagulation kinetics, a description of colloid stability issues in relation to practical applications, and, finally, an account of lyophilic polymer colloids, including microgels. This chapter makes good reading but does not include depletion effectsssuch effects find mention only as a passing comment toward the end of the chapter on rheology. Bridging flocculation also is missing from the chapter but is covered under the applications of nonaqueous polymer colloids at the end of chapter 4. Chapter 8 (22 pages) on Electrokinetics builds upon the concepts developed in chapter 7 and introduces electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential from both theoretical and experimental viewpoints in a way that emphasizes the uncertainties surrounding the interpretation of these quantities. Chapter 9 (27 pages) also follows from chapter 7 and covers Order-Disorder Phenomena in polymer colloids. The reasons why polymer colloids show such phenomena are described mainly in qualitative terms, the emphasis being on experimental observations and practical applications of ordered arrays of colloidal particles. The Rheology of Polymer Colloids is dealt with thoroughly in Chapter 10 (37 pages). A good balance between descriptive material, theory, and practical implications is achieved in covering hard sphere dispersions, gelled dispersions, electroviscous effects, effects of particle ordering, nonspherical particles, rheological measurements, and practical applications, which is where associative thickeners are described. The final chapter (25 pages) concerns the important topic of Film Formation. This is dealt with mainly in descriptive terms and leads the reader through established mechanisms for film formation. The more recent contributions from Winnik’s group at Toronto and the Cavendish Laboratory at Cambridge are not included, which is a pity because they have substantially enhanced our understanding of film formation. In conclusion, the book is written and presented in a very readable style, at graduate level for most part, and achieves its objectives. Although the author states that a basic knowledge of polymer and colloid science is assumed, in my opinion such prior knowledge is not essentialsthe reader could simply refer to specfic topics in basic introductory textbooks on polymer science and colloid science in those instances where background knowledge is required. I can, therefore, recommend the book to researchers who are new to the field of polymer colloids, particularly to those whose interests fall more toward the colloid science aspects. It will provide them with an excellent basis from which to build their knowledge. For the nonnewcomer, the book provides an interesting insight into the thoughts and views of a scientist who has contributed such a lot to the development of this challenging multidisciplinary field. Peter A. Lovell, Manchester Materials Science Centre, University of Manchester and UMIST
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