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Book & Media Reviews
Polymers (Oxford Chemistry Primers No. 85) by David Walton and J. Phillip Lorimer Oxford University Press: New York, 2000. 154 pp. ISBN 019850389X (paperback). $16.95. reviewed by John H. Shibata
This book, a volume in the widely known Oxford Chemistry Primer Series, will appeal to students who are interested in a brief, highly readable introduction to polymers. Walton and Lorimer have written a primer on the methods of producing synthetic polymers and the relationship between the structure of polymeric materials and their macroscopic properties. In general, books in the Oxford Primer Series are notable for providing concise introductions to a variety of topics in slim, paperback editions. This book is consistent with that design. There are numerous figures, graphs, and tables that not only convey a wealth of information, but also add to the visual appeal of the contents. In this book and others in the series, I especially like the generous space on each page for writing notes and comments, a welcome feature for those of us who like to annotate our books. Although the title suggests a broad, general coverage of polymers, in reality the book focuses primarily on synthesis and the macroscopic properties of polymers. A significant portion of the book emphasizes practical considerations of polymers—commercial aspects determined by the properties of polymers and the industrial processes for polymer synthesis and three-dimensional network formation. In many cases, specific polymer types and materials are described in detail. The concreteness of explicit examples to illustrate the principles of polymerization and the properties of networks and functional polymers are appropriate for readers seeking a practical introduction to polymers. The prose is direct and straightforward, the goal being clarity and brevity rather than eloquence. Chapter 1 is an overview of polymers, covering topics that one expects in an introductory text—basic terminology, descriptions of different types of polymers and polymerization reactions, and the statistical nature of polymers, including descriptions of number average and weight average molecular weights and polydispersity. A concise introduction to the history of polymers is also presented. Unfortunately, the typographical errors in this chapter are distracting and can be misleading to someone new to chemistry. For example, in Table 1.3, the element symbol for chlorine is written as C1, and the –R group corresponding to proline in Table 1.4 is inaccurate. Although these are clearly not fatal errors, they do set a tone for the rest of the book. Chapter 2 delves into more detail on polymer proper-
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Journal of Chemical Education
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Jeffrey Kovac University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-1600
ties and characterization. Experimental methods to determine molar mass are described briefly, with the bulk of the chapter describing the structure and properties of polymers. Key equations used to determine molar mass by techniques such as membrane and vapor pressure osmometry, light scattering, ultracentrifugation, and viscometry are presented. The description of stereoisomerism (atactic, syndiotactic, and isotactic) is clear and direct. Curiously, the authors chose polyethene as an example of an atactic polymer, which doesn’t fit their own definition of atactic. Describing macromolecules as “coiled like cooked spaghetti” is a simile that doesn’t quite seem to gel. Perhaps, “entangled” would be better than coiled. In the section on structure–property relationships, viscosity is defined as shear stress/velocity gradient, but neither of these terms are defined, leaving the definition of viscosity unclear. Also, Young’s modulus is described in terms of stress and strain, quantities that have not yet been defined. A clear discussion of polymer processing, mechanical properties, and thermal methods of analysis conclude Chapter 2. The strength of this book occurs in the descriptions of chain polymerization, step-growth polymers, three-dimensional networks, and functional polymers in the succeeding chapters. Examples of the three types of chain polymerization—free-radical, cationic, and anionic polymerization—are clearly presented. The kinetics of free radical polymerization is done particularly well; initiation, propagation, and termination steps are lucidly described. One of the best features of this book is the use of tables to organize and convey information. Particularly noteworthy is a table listing the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of polymer synthesis (bulk, solution, suspension, and emulsion), and a table comparing step and chain polymerization. The book completes a survey of polymers by describing several examples of three-dimensional networks and functional polymers. Fiberglass and heat-shrink tubing are just two of the practical three-dimensional networks discussed. High-performance polymers such as Kevlar and electrically conducting polymers such as polypyrrole are examples of functional polymers described in the book. In summary, this book does a good job introducing polymers. Overall, the text is highly comprehensible, although several specific examples of polymers are presented that give an encyclopedic feel to some of the sections while other sections of the text are quite informal. This book can serve not only as an introduction, but also as a reference for a quick refresher on specific topics. This is a well-conceived book that, despite the typographical errors, I would recommend to anyone interested in an introduction to polymers. John H. Shibata is in the Department of Chemistry, The University of the South, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383;
[email protected] Vol. 82 No. 4 April 2005
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