Book reviews 227

Interfacial Electrochemistry, W. Schmickler, Oxford Uni- versity Press, Oxford, UK, ISBN 0 19 508932 4, xiv + 288 pp., £42.50 (hard cover)

There has been a small flood of electrochemistry texts aimed at final year undergraduates and postgraduate-level students over the last 3 or 4 years. Each has approached the subject of modem electrochemistry from the author's own viewpoint, and each has given a different perspective on the subject. This new text by Schmickler stands out for a number of reasons. Firstly, it concentrates of the physical basis of the subject and the physical basis of the models which electrochemists have developed to describe and interpret their experiments. Secondly, it concentrates on the interface and the description of electrochemical inter- faces in the wider sense (liquid[liquid interfaces are in- cluded) at the molecular level, drawing on much current work and recent advances in the area. Thirdly, it contains a selection of thought provoking and enlightening problems. Finally, it is so clearly and carefully written that it is an enjoyment to read. For all of these reasons this book should become an established favourite.

Schmickler divides the text into three parts. Part 1 deals with the fundamentals, that is the potential distribution at interfaces (metal[electrolyte, semiconductor[electrolyte and liquidlliquid), the kinetics of electron transfer, proton transfer and ion transfer, metal deposition and more com- plex interfacial reactions. In each case the emphasis is on the description of the appropriate models and the discus- sion of their physical background - - an approach which provides considerable insight into the basis and limitations of each model. The problems at the end of each chapter reinforce this approach by suggesting derivations and theo- retical extensions to the models and encouraging the reader to make order of magnitude estimates and to manipulate the equations. Whilst on the topic of equations, it is worth pointing out that this is not a text for the mathematically unable (and thank heavens for that), Schmickler gives the relevant equations and makes the mathematics work in a well thought out and very approachable manner. Part 2 deals with selected experimental techniques, in this case transient methods (chronoamperometry, chronopotentiome- try, cyclic voltammetry and so on), forced convection methods (the rotating disc for example) and then a range of in situ techniques (ranging from the scanning tunnelling microscope to the quartz crystal microbalance) used to examine the electrode[electrolyte interface. For me, Part 2 was the weakest part of the text. Part 3 deals in greater detail with several theoretical topics m the thermodynam- ics of ideal polarizable interfaces, the double layer and specific adsorption, charge distribution in adsorbates and quantum theory of electron-transfer reactions. This is where the real strengths of the text shine through with an in- formed and well written commentary accompanying and illuminating the mathematics.

This book could form the basis for an excellent final year or postgraduate course in interfacial physical electro- chemistry. It will also be of great use to scientists with a physical background who want, or need, to understand the basic physical concepts in modem electrochemistry. I am sure that this is one electrochemistry textbook which will not just gather dust unopened on my bookshelf.

P.N. Bartlett Southampton

Electrochemistry of Novel Materials, eds. J. Lipkowski and P.N. Ross, VCH (1994) ISBN 0-89573-788-4

This compilation t,~ reviews by solid state and polymer electrochemists not only describes electrochemistry of novel materials but also some novel electrochemistry of older materials. It also has the distinction of being effec- tively all-European (with British contributions from Canada).

The first Germanic contribution by Alonso-Vante and Tributsch explains the band theory underlining the electro- catalytic properties of the metal chalcogenides with partic- ular reference to their optical properties and sensitisation to the solar spectrum. Green technology is proposed, with schemes for photo-assisted current generation, hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction and nitrogen fixation.

Armand and his Gallic co-authors describe a wealth of new polymers with ingenious molecular designs to func- tion as electrolytes, negative and positive electrodes for lithium batteries. This is arguably the highlight of the volume, describing new concepts and results in a fast-pro- gressing field which will certainly lead to new technolo- gies in many areas in addition to batteries.

Scrosati displr~ys his Italian artistry with dynamic car- toons of the "rocking chair" or lithium ion battery which will undoubtedly be plagiarised many times. The article describes the new technology of the rechargeable battery packs included in mobile phones and camcorders, based on lithiumintercalated carbon as the negative and transition metal oxide positive electrodes.

Doblehofer's chapter on thin polymer films on elec- trodes will appeal to electroanalytical chemists with healthy appetites for interfacial and mass transport properties of nonionic, ionic and electronically- conducting polymers. Thermodynarnic and kinetic treatments are applied to the interpretation of the strange-looking voltammograms of polymer-,:oated electrodes with important applications in chemical sensors.

Dimensionally stable anodes formed from transition metal oxides are reviewed comprehensively by Trasatti. This contribution is an invaluable guide through the exten-

228 Book reviews

sive literature on the subject, embellishing an impressive database of electrocatalysts, old and new, with theoretical rationalisations of their activity and suitability for applica- tion. The importance of non-stoichiometry is explained along with the effects of surface adsorption, microstruc- ture, and stabilisation against corrosion.

In contrast with the flavour of alternative technology given by some other chapters, ceramic UO2 nuclear fuel may be described as, er, a different sort of green material. Shoesmith and co-authors discuss the electrochemistry of uranium, demonstrating the importance of oxidation state and coordination in determining its solubility in water. Some interesting structural, electrical and photoelectro- chemical properties of uranium oxides are also described.

Finally, Baker and Senaratne deal with electrochemistry at the surface and inside the cavities of modified zeolites and clays. Although the materials themselves are older than electrochemistry, the article shows that they are cur- rently topical, being naturally nanostructural and as such amenable to modification by permeation with more novel electrochemical species such as polyaniline forced into the desirable configuration of a "molecular wire".

Altoghether this book is easy to recommend. Apart from being European it is probably one of the best avail- able introductions to the new science of solid state and polymer electrochemistry which is now forming from a fusion of electrochemists with materials scientists. It is also an expert reference manual in many respect and will remain so for years to come.

John Owen Southampton

Solid State Electrochemistry, Peter G. Bruce (Ed.), Cam- bridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1994, ISBN 0 521 400007 4, xvi + 344 pp., £60.00

Whereas Faraday found interest in ionic conduction in solids such as PbF 2, Ag2S, and Nernst exploited solid electrolytes as light sources, many generations of more

recent electrochemists regarded such things as the domain of physicists or materials scientists, concentrating their minds on liquid electrolytes and their interfaces with pure metals. And in present times, textbooks on solid state electrochemistry, if kept at all in libraries, are shelved under every heading but electrochemistry, whereas confer- ences and journals are disguised by titles like solid state ionics.

Peter Bruce suggests that the time has come for a reconciliation between the 'liquid' and 'solid' branches of electrochemistry, and hopes that his book will go some way to make this happen. He has, therefore, devoted much effort to the hard task of editing this book; it is visibly well conceived and well edited, having the most important issues covered by informed authors, a logical sequence of chapters and, for the most part, little overlap. Topics include theories and examples of ionic conduction in crys- tals, glasses and polymers, mixed (ion and electron) con- duction in insertion electrodes, interfaces and applications. Some polymer electrolytes are included despite the fact that most instances of their ionic conductivity are in the elastomeric or liquid states; their distinction from normal liquids comes from the mechanical properties, which are more solid than liquid-like for the intents and purposes of experimental cell design and applications.

Apart from a rather puzzling derivation (obviously writ- ten by a physicist!) of the Nernst-Einstein equation in Chapter 3, I found few controversial statements or errors. There are some gaps, of course; proton conduction, in particular, is largely omitted because of a specialist book on the topic in the same series, and the peculiarities of solid state materials when subjected to standard electroana- lytical techniques would be a welcome addition to a future compilation.

On the whole, this is probably the best available intro- duction to the subject, as well as being a useful reference source. I would recommend this as an essential purchase for electrochemists, solid state physicists, materials scien- tists and the solid state ionics people, whatever we are called!

John Owen Southampton