CalKoi&

Elsetier

and Surfaces.

Scientific

8 (1982)

PublLhing

79-81

Company,

Amsterdam - Printed in The NeCherlands

79

Rook reviews

Zeta Potential in Colioid Science. Pbincipies and Applicution. Sy

R.J. Hunter. Colloid Science Moncgraphs, edited by R.H. Ottewill and
R.L. Rowe& Academic Press, London, New York, 1981,400 PP-,E35.00
($84.00).
This baok is one of a series
of monographs edited by R.H. Ottewill and
R.L_ Rowell, As stated by the editors, the aim is to write these scrias at a
research level by specialist authors. me present contribution by Robert J.
Hunter on Zeta Potential in Collaid Science is certainly an achievement in
the right direction. After a brief introduction on the origin and classification of clectrokinetic effects (Chapter L) a fundamental description of the
charge and potential distribution at interfaces (Chapter II) is given, tiking
into account the various geometries invoIved. This is then follow& by a
comprehensive chapter on the calculation of zeta potintial, In this chapter
the dassical theories of calculation oP zeta potential from various electrokinetic measurements are described. The recent developments which refine
these cdctdations, taking into account the various contributions, for example from relaxation and retardation affects, have been reviewed in a com-

prehensive way and a number of tables are given which give the necessary

parameters for the computation. The author has certainly described these
theories in a clear way and this chapter should provide the research worker
in this field with the adequate equations and method of calcufations needed.
In Chapter IV the author has given an admirable description of the experimental techniques used for measurement of the various electrokinetic param-

eters.
Besides the classical methods used for measurement of zeta patential,

the author has &o described the recent methads deveIoped, for exampIe
the efectrophoretic light scattering. Chapter V gives an account of the elzctroviscous and viscaelectric effects. The importance of these effects in describing the flow properties of suspensions has also been described. The following chapters (Chapters VI-VIII)
gir*e some examples for th> apptication
of the zeta potential. It is perhaps not surprising that the author described
in detail the effect of ion adsorption on the zeta potential and charge
distribution at the solid liquid interface, since he made significant contributions in this field. He gave too much detail on such effects *.vhich for a
reader not familiar with the subject couId be a littIe confusing, It is a pity
that only a few practical applications of zeta potential have ireen mentioned.
I find it surprising that the only examples given are in the fietd of flotation
and mineral activation. Certainly zeta potential measurements have much
wider applicatiotl in various fields, for example in bin!&4
systems, and it
is surprising that the author did not give any detail of such systems,
However, it is gratifying to see that the a&hor considered in some detail

80

the effect of more compIex adsort>ates such as surfactants, polymers and

polyelectrolytes on zeta potential,
In summary;this
hook is a comprehensive monograph on the subject of
etectrokinetic phenomena which should be extremely valuable for research
workers and graduate students, The book is welt written
and t.he various
physical phenomena adequateIy described. At the end of the book the
author has also suppIied a number of Appen&es
describing in some detail
the mathematical equations used in the text. Thus, th?s hook is to be recommended to University and Research Institute Libraries as well as to
Industrial laboratories engaged in this field of research.
THARWAT
F. TADROS
fhchwl~
DerRshim, U! K.

Surfacei and InterfaceS in Cerum fc and Cemmh--..?eta~ Sptems. MallaM

Science Research, Vdura 14, edited by J. Pask and A. Evans, Plenum,
New York, 1981, xiii f 754 pp_, U!S$75~00,

This vo1umc continues the effort of enrtier voIumes ih this series which is
to provide a state-of-the-art survey of materials science with particular emphask, at least in recent years, on ceramics and metals. It documents the
proceedings of the 17th University Conference on Ceramics held at Be&&y
from Jury 28 to August 1, 1980. The symposiums objectives were to explore and amss the cundnt fundamental understanding of interfnces and
surfaces and to correlate interfacial characteristics with mechanica behavior,
especirrlly adherence of d?&milar materials at interfaces, The 64 contributions tr, tl.is votume aft from 2-n countries and reprcsnt various research
interests In ceramic-based interfaces.
The papers are divided into 13 sections: Calculations of fnterface/Surface
States, Characterization of Surfaces ond Interfaces, Thermodynamics of
Interfaces, Influence of Surfaces and Interfaces on Selected Ceramic Processes,
Grain Bowtdaries (Structure), Grain Boundaries (Effect of Deformation and
Fracture), The Si-Mlt
fntetfsile, Interfacial Phenomena, Formation of
Interfaces, Development of Adhesion, Reactions at Interfaces, MechanictiI
Properties, and interfacti?Effecb.
The volume lreffects the interdisciptinary nature of important interfaces
which involve one cerzullic phase; these i\lteg&n boundaries, powder/liquid
interfaces, and ceramic oc glass/m&l interfaces. A broad range of technologies (e.g. ceramics, metalIurgy, and electronics) ;md scientific disciplines (e.g.
surface and colloid science, inorgaGc chemistry, glass science, solid-state
physics, and materials science and engineering) is represented. Special emphasis is given to the Si-SiCDt interface because of its importance to the
electronics industry. Studies dealing with mechanicaI properties focus on
the measurement of adhesion and the strength of interfaces. This compila-