book reviews
Physlcal Chernlstry of Surfaces. 3rd EdMon
Arthur Adamson, University of Southern California. John Wiley & Sans, New Yark, 1976. xviii 698 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $24.95.
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J. Inczedy, University of Chemical Engineering, Hungary, and Julian Tyson, translation editor, University of London. John Wiley & Sana, New York, 1976.415 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 x 24 em. $44. The text, "Analytical Applications of Curnplex Equilibrro" by Profemor Janos Inczedv of the Universitv of Chemical Enpineering, Veszprem, ~ G g a r yis, part of the Ellis Horwood series in analytical chemistry. This John Wiley series of texts, authored by several prominent European chemists, is edited by Dr. R. A. Chalmers of the University of Aberdeen, who is also the editor of Talanta. This particular volume is an advanced treatment of the analvtical anolications of equilibrium principles in wet methods ss well as in instrumental techniques. I t includes very specific applications of equilibria in gravimetry, acid-base, redox, compleaometric, and precipitation titrations as well as to spectrophotometry, electrochemical, chromatographic, and extraction techniques. In comparing Professor Inczedy's presentation to the tents of Butler. Freiser and Fernando, Blackwell. Fleck, and Cuenther, one will find a difference in the level of npproach. The latter authors present very fundamental and well.devrloped approaches to the study of equilibria. It is apparent that Professor lnuzedv assumes that his readers will have a very ti~oroughbackground in the theory of equilibrium calculations. Unlike other advanced texts, the author has included many examples of worked problems. However, many of the solutions are carried out in a cryptic fashion, with little connection to the text material. Potential readers must be aware of the fact that the symbols, equations, and graphical representations are European in style and may cause some "getting used to" by some Western readers. For example, precipitation equilibria are written as formation reactions rather than as dissociation reactions. Therefore, apreeipitation formation constant is used instead of the solubility product constant. BYno means does the author oresent an exhaustive treatment of analytikequilihria; however, he does demonstrate the application of equilibria to the most commonly used analytical techniques, particularly in instrumental methods. The text contains 415 pages of which 25% is devoted to a listing.of equilibrium constants and references, I would recommend that this series be used as reference material. Its authors are amone the mast respected analytical chemists in Europe.
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The 3rd edition of "Physical Chemistry of Surfaces" retains much of the character of the 2nd edition. I t gives an excellent presentation of the physical chemistry of surfaces a t a level annronriate for a senior undereraduate. m%h ;hackmound in clnaeical ~ physical chemistry, especially thermodynamics, or a first-year graduate student. The hook is suitable for use as a course text; it is alsa an important reference work and, in view of the position of surface phenomena in modern chemistry and technology, properly belongs in any science library. The h i e s covered are essentiallvthe same as thwe in the 2nd edition. A yoad deal of the book is devoted to the more clas~icalaspects of suriace phys~calchemixtry including surface tension and capillarity, the thermodynamics of interfaces, surface films on liquid substrates, and the classical electrical aspects of surface chemistry. There are chapters on contact-anele " .nhenomena. nucleation and crystal growth, adsorption from solution, friction and Iuhriratiun. wetting, flotation and detergents, and emulsions and films. In the past decade, the development of new experimental techniques for the study and characterization of low-area surfaces in ultra high vacuum has led to significant advances in our understanding of surface physies at the molecular level. These new techniques, such ~
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as electron spectroscopy, ion-scattering and low-energy secondary-ion maas spectr-py, electron diffraction, and field emission and field ionization micrwconv. are described in sufficient detail that the reader may acquire a general overall view of their role in surface studies. By and large, the sections of the hook dealing with these topics are new or have been extensively rewritten in the 3rd edition. Examples of the applications of these newer ultra high vacuum techniques have been given but there is, quite properly, nodetailed critical assessment of the results since this ~ ~ ~ ~ subject is ~covered- in detail in other monographs. The book devotes one chapter to the subject of catalysis, prohahly the single mast important application of the ideas of surface chemistry. The coverage is quite brief with illustrative examples but, again, there are many excellent monographs on this subiect. Although surface chemistry is widely rerogn~redas an exciting and important subdiscipline of modem chemistry it has not yet been fully incorporated into the chemistry curricula of many colleges. The creation of a course on surface chemistry, either at the senior undergraduate or first-year graduate level, would be a timely innovation. If such a course were to be taught from a physical chemistry viewpoint Adamson's book would be an excellent text if it were augmented with supplemental reading on the newer surface techniques and on catalysis. John Overend University of Minnesota MinnedpoIis, 55455
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Selman A. Berger C& U ~ ~ M K Sof&New York J d m Jay College of CrimimIJustice 445 west 59 Street New Y W New York 10019
Volume 54, Number 11, November 1977 1 A467
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