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Comprehensive Treatise of Electrochemistry, Vol. 3, Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage.
400 "Basic principles" (H. Gerischer) and "Devices" (A.J. Nozik). Fundamental research in this area began more than two decades ago, but has developed only since 1970. Therefore, unlike photovoltaics, these cells are not based on well-established models. In a condensed and clear presentation, these two chapters afford the reader a general survey of the basic principles as well as the problems, knowledge of which is necessary for further insight. "Photogalvanic cells" (W.J. Albery) represents another possibility in photoelectrochemical energy conversion where species in solution are photo-excited and solid electrodes are charge collectors, the electrolyte being unchanged. "Photochemical cells" (K. Kalyarasudaram and M. Gr~itzel) is based on photo-excited homogeneous reactions leading to chemical products, and seems particularly attractive for energy storage in a chemical form. In conclusion, this book may be recommended for scientists needing general information about photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices for solar energy conversion, provided the reader has a solid background in solid-state physics and electrochemistry. P. LEMASSON Meudon-Bellevue
Comprehensive Treatise of Electrochemistry, Vol. 3, Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage. J.O'M. Bockris, B.E. Conway, E. Yeager and R.E. White (Editors). Plenum Press, New York, 1981, 562 pp., US$55.00. In Vol. 3 of this treatise, theoretical and applied aspects of electrochemical energy conversion and storage are presented in 16 separate chapters. The weak point of multi-author books is organization. Thus, one has to put up with some overlapping chapters (the overall reaction of the lead-acid cell is reported several times), with a lack of uniformity in style and level (a comprehensive description of the theory of porous gas diffusion electrodes is contrasted by a fairly elementary chapter on lead-acid batteries), and last but not least, with the fact that the most sluggish author determines the date of publication (the literature is covered only up to 1979). On the other hand, each chapter is written by a distinguished expert in his field and is thus a modem view from the top, without irrelevant padding. In this respect this book is unique. It is inspiring, even to those who already have considerable knowledge of batteries, and it is of course also a valuable source of references. Considering these merits one is willing to overlook careless proof reading--e.g. confusion of electrolyte and cathode in the heading of a subsection (p. 166), incomplete or simply wrong notation of chemical equations and formulae (p. 214), a "mutilated" Nernst equation without the logarithm term (p. 222) or a figure caption that does not refer to the numbers marking various parts of an incomprehensible drawing (p. 259).
401
A detailed discussion of every chapter is beyond the scope of a short review, but certainly the prospect "Electrochemistry and the 21st century" by J.O'M. Bockris is one of the highlights--I would recommend this uplifting article (motto: electrochemistry and the rest of chemistry) in particular to downhearted and depressed electrochemists. Principles and applications of fuel cells are presented by B.V. Tilak, R.S. Yeo and S. Srinivasan--electrochemists who lay stress on chemistry will miss specific reactions and their mechanisms. An excellent overview of "Electrochemical energy storage" by K. Kordesch inevitably anticipates many features of the following more specialized articles on primary batteries (M. Barak, "Primary batteries--introduction"; Akiya Kozawa, "Leclanch6 systems"; K. Kordesch, "Alkaline manganese dioxide-zinc batteries"; S. Ruben, "Sealed mercurial cathode dry cells"; Marvin L. Kronenberg and George E. Blomgren, "Lithium batteries"; J.H. Kennedy, "Solid electrolytes"), and on secondary batteries (J. McBreen, "Secondary batteries--introduction"; Elton J. Cairns, "High temperature batteries"; D. Berndt, "Lead-acid batteries"; F.v. Sturm, "Nickel-cadmium battery"; F.v. Sturm, "Silver-zinc battery"). In the chapter on "Primary lithium batteries", chemistry comes off badly compared to the description of commercial cells, whereas in the chapters on N i / C d - , A g / Z n - and high-temperature batteries the discussion in terms of chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, technical performance and cell types is well balanced. There is also an extensive chapter (84 pages) by Elton J. Cairns and Earl H. Hietbrink on "Electrochemical power for transportation", dealing mainly with electric vehicles and their costs, and finally a strong recommendation of the "Hydrogen economy" by J.O'M. Bockris. This volume is indeed comprehensive--except perhaps for the omission of photoelectrochemical energy conversion. J.O. BESENHARD Munich
Anodic Protection. Theory and Practice in the Prevention of Corrosion. O.L. Riggs, Jr. and C.E. Locke, Plenum Press, New York, 1981, 284 pp., US$39.50. This is an impressive work within a rather limited field of science and technology. For example, the bibliography contains some 800 references from 1790 to 1979. However, we feel that the volume of the book is too large and that some chapters, which are not specific to anodic protection, could have been left out. The authors describe their subject with great enthusiasm; on some occasions their optimism may seem too unrestrained, e.g., in Chapter 10 where among future possible applications, anodic protection of prosthetic implants is suggested. We also think that the general limitations for applying anodic protection, e.g., the risks for localized corrosion of passive materials in chloride-containing media, have not been
Comprehensive Treatise of Electrochemistry, Vol. 3, Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage. J.O'M. Bockris, B.E. Conway, E. Yeager and R.E. White (Editors). Plenum Press, New York, 1981, 562 pp., US$55.00. In Vol. 3 of this treatise, theoretical and applied aspects of electrochemical energy conversion and storage are presented in 16 separate chapters. The weak point of multi-author books is organization. Thus, one has to put up with some overlapping chapters (the overall reaction of the lead-acid cell is reported several times), with a lack of uniformity in style and level (a comprehensive description of the theory of porous gas diffusion electrodes is contrasted by a fairly elementary chapter on lead-acid batteries), and last but not least, with the fact that the most sluggish author determines the date of publication (the literature is covered only up to 1979). On the other hand, each chapter is written by a distinguished expert in his field and is thus a modem view from the top, without irrelevant padding. In this respect this book is unique. It is inspiring, even to those who already have considerable knowledge of batteries, and it is of course also a valuable source of references. Considering these merits one is willing to overlook careless proof reading--e.g. confusion of electrolyte and cathode in the heading of a subsection (p. 166), incomplete or simply wrong notation of chemical equations and formulae (p. 214), a "mutilated" Nernst equation without the logarithm term (p. 222) or a figure caption that does not refer to the numbers marking various parts of an incomprehensible drawing (p. 259).
401
A detailed discussion of every chapter is beyond the scope of a short review, but certainly the prospect "Electrochemistry and the 21st century" by J.O'M. Bockris is one of the highlights--I would recommend this uplifting article (motto: electrochemistry and the rest of chemistry) in particular to downhearted and depressed electrochemists. Principles and applications of fuel cells are presented by B.V. Tilak, R.S. Yeo and S. Srinivasan--electrochemists who lay stress on chemistry will miss specific reactions and their mechanisms. An excellent overview of "Electrochemical energy storage" by K. Kordesch inevitably anticipates many features of the following more specialized articles on primary batteries (M. Barak, "Primary batteries--introduction"; Akiya Kozawa, "Leclanch6 systems"; K. Kordesch, "Alkaline manganese dioxide-zinc batteries"; S. Ruben, "Sealed mercurial cathode dry cells"; Marvin L. Kronenberg and George E. Blomgren, "Lithium batteries"; J.H. Kennedy, "Solid electrolytes"), and on secondary batteries (J. McBreen, "Secondary batteries--introduction"; Elton J. Cairns, "High temperature batteries"; D. Berndt, "Lead-acid batteries"; F.v. Sturm, "Nickel-cadmium battery"; F.v. Sturm, "Silver-zinc battery"). In the chapter on "Primary lithium batteries", chemistry comes off badly compared to the description of commercial cells, whereas in the chapters on N i / C d - , A g / Z n - and high-temperature batteries the discussion in terms of chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, technical performance and cell types is well balanced. There is also an extensive chapter (84 pages) by Elton J. Cairns and Earl H. Hietbrink on "Electrochemical power for transportation", dealing mainly with electric vehicles and their costs, and finally a strong recommendation of the "Hydrogen economy" by J.O'M. Bockris. This volume is indeed comprehensive--except perhaps for the omission of photoelectrochemical energy conversion. J.O. BESENHARD Munich
Anodic Protection. Theory and Practice in the Prevention of Corrosion. O.L. Riggs, Jr. and C.E. Locke, Plenum Press, New York, 1981, 284 pp., US$39.50. This is an impressive work within a rather limited field of science and technology. For example, the bibliography contains some 800 references from 1790 to 1979. However, we feel that the volume of the book is too large and that some chapters, which are not specific to anodic protection, could have been left out. The authors describe their subject with great enthusiasm; on some occasions their optimism may seem too unrestrained, e.g., in Chapter 10 where among future possible applications, anodic protection of prosthetic implants is suggested. We also think that the general limitations for applying anodic protection, e.g., the risks for localized corrosion of passive materials in chloride-containing media, have not been