book reviews Special Topics In Electrochemistry Edited by Peter A. Rock, University of California, Davis. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1977. vii 244 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23 cm. $39.50.
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The materiel presented in this hook is "based far the most part on papers presented a t the Symposium entitled 'Teaching of Electrochemistry' which was held on August 31, 1976 a t the 172nd ACS Meeting in San Francisco, CA." The editor describes the book as an attempt to provide a description of the areas of current research in electrochemistry which are not covered in existing chemistry textbooks for the senior and firstyear graduate students and for chemistry teachers interested in electrochemistry. The first two chapters, "Advanced Electrochemical Energy Systems" by L. R. McCoy and "Photovoltaic Phenomena in Electrochemical Cells" hy H. Gerisher, discuss the role of electrochemistry in two important areas dealing with the energy shortage. The next chapter, "Electrochemical Synthesis2'by C. K. Mann and M. R. Asirvatham, describes practical bench-top and production syntheses of organic and inorganic compounds with attention given to experimental methodology. The editor discusses the problem of liquid junction in electrochemical reactions in the fourth chapter, "Electrochemical Cells without Liquid Junction" and "Species-Selective Electrochemical Sensors" in the next chapter. The latter chapter provides a concise treatment of this rapidly expanding area of electrochemical research. J. Keizer discusses "Mechanisms of Electrochemical Oscillations" in Chapter 6. In thenext chapter W. J. Moore presents the interesting topic "Electrochemistry of Nerves." Contrasting theories on nerve excitation, conduction, and recovery and the difficulties associated with obtaining experimental results are described. The final three chapters are by R. A. Marcus: "Theory and Applications of Electron Transfers a t Electrodes and In Solution," "On theTheory of Overvoltage for Electrode Processes Possessing Electron Transfer Mechanism. I.," and "Eleitrostatic Free Energy and Other Properties of States Having Non-Equilibrium Polarization. 11. Electrode Systems." The first of these chapters reviews recent theor e t i d developments in electrochemistry and also discusses the correlation of recent ex~ e r i m e n t awork l with the major theoretical contributions of the author. The latter two chapters are reproductions of the original Office of Naval Research reports which are the basis for much of the current theory on electrode processes. These three chapters constitute a thorough reference for introduction to this area of electrochemical research. This hook certainly achieves the editor's attempt to "bridge the gaps" between current electrochemical research and the coverage of existing teuthooks. The student and the teacher will find much t o stimulate interest in electrochemical research in this hook. I believe that this hook would be a very worthwhile library addition as a reference A422 / Journal of Chemical Education
text for use in instruction in electrochemistry. oartieularlv a t the eraduate level. The c o.~ .v b a s typed ;or ccame&eady publication in a clear and easy t o read fashion. There are few typographical errors throughout the book. I recommend consideration of this hookas a reference text for use in graduate courses in electrochemistry and for personal purchase for those workine in or interested in electrochemistry.
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Fred M. Hawkridge V i w a Commonwealth University Richmond, VA 23284
Reactivity of Solids Edited by John Wood and Oliuer Lindpuist, Chalmers University of Teehnology, Sweden, Clos Helgesson, Arhman Development AB, Sweden, and NilsGosto Vannerberg, Chalmer University of Technology, Sweden. Plenum Press, New Yark and London, 1977. xx 810 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.5 X 25.5 cm. $59.50.
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This volume comprises the proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on the Reactivity of Solids, which was held a t Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden, June 14-19,1976.As such, it is one of a series that have been published after each of the quadrennial symposia. The organization of the book parallels that of the svmoosium. An introductorv lecture. , , "New Crystallugmphir Derelopmrnts Aps S h l s , " by plicahlr in Studin: of R r a ~ t : o rin ,\ M~ngnCl~, discusses the use of dertron microscopy and X-ray techniques. The remainder of the book is divided into six sections, each headed by a plenary lecture and followed by a number of related papers, including subsequent discussions. In the olenarv lecture. "Reactions a t Surfares nnilnterfaces. ~ a i - ~ e tInteractions al ~~
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exposed to gases. A total of 32 contributions dealing with reactions a t surfaces are included in this section. The second section begins with the plenary lecture by H. Schmalzried, "Influence of S t ~ c t u Defeds d on the Reactivity of Solids," and includes 33 other contrihutions on the subject. Reactions in organic solids are surveyed by Herbert Morawetz in "Polymerization and Other Organic Reactions in the Crystalline State;" five additional contributions complete the third section. The current state of understanding of reactivity in glasses is discussed in the plentary lecture by W. Vogel; seven contributions follow in the fourth section. Section 5 is entitled "New Developments in Experimental Techniques far the Study of Reactivity of Bulk Solids and Surfaces of Solids." The plenary lecture is by E. G. Derouane, and 14 other papers made up the section. The final section, "Solid State Reactions in Technology", includes 19 contributed papers in addition to the plenary lecture bv R. L. Coble on "The Status of ~, Kndrrstanding Dlfiuiim Conrrollrd S A d State jintermy. Hot Preusing and Crrrp." An author index and subject indrx nrr ~nrluded ~~~~~
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