08/5/2010 -
Highlights in Colloid Science (2009) by Dimo Platikanov and Dotchi Exerowa, editors
ISBN 978-3-527-32037-0. VCH-Wiley, Weinheim, Germany. 2009. Hardcover. 328 pages. $200.00.
| REVIEWED BY: | Trupti Dhami
|
Edited by Dimo Platikanov and Dotchi Exerowa, this book provides invaluable reviews on colloidal science. Colloidal Science deals with multi-phase systems in which one or more phases are dispersed in a continuous phase of different composition or state. Colloidal systems are important across a range of industries such as chemical, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, nanotechnology, cosmetics, paints, food, paper and oil industries. This book focuses on providing the reader with detailed understanding of fundamentals and the practical applications of colloids and interfaces which can be useful for a wide range of industry. Chapters are authored by known leading figures in colloidal science and studies presented show critical information on colloids and interfaces and present various factors involved in selecting optimal surfactants and conditions required to get stable emulsions.
The book contains 16 reviews highlighting colloidal interfaces. What makes this book most attractive is that it covers a great variety of topics and most of the chapters discuss theoretical models which are supported by experimental results. The topics covered are, papermaking suspensions, microgel particles, nanoparticles, emulsion stabilization, interfacial interactions, thin double layer systems, cellulose fibrils, DNA interactions etc. Each chapter presents new perspective in colloids and develops some of the topics in much greater depth making it attractive for wide audience. Though more thought could have been given in writing these reviews to provide a flow in reading and bring cohesion of chapters. Again considering that each chapter discusses different scope, one would expect to get summary or concluding remarks in each chapter but few chapters fall short on discussing it.
Overall, this book gives excellent overview of colloids and covers wide range of topics. All chapters are well illustrated with figures and experimental data. The chapters are grounded on reasonable number of references and all reviews are specialized to attract professional researchers as well appealing to a wider audience in related disciplines of colloidal science. However, most of the chapters require a different foundation or a background to understand the various set of experiments and theoretical explanation.
For more on Highlights in Colloid Science, visit the VCH-Wiley web site. |
