- Email: [email protected]
Derivative spectrophotometry
ANALmcA CHIMICA ACTA ELSEVIER
Analytica
Chimica Acta 311(1995)
237-241
Book Reviews Ph. Quevauviller, E.A. Maier and B. Griepink (Eds.), Quality A ssurance for Environmental Analysis, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1994 (ISBN O-444-899553). xx + 649 pp. Price Dfl. 475.00; US $ 271.00. Quality assurance issues are being increasingly recognized as fundamental to the provision of environmental analytical data. The book critically evaluates existing analytical procedures for the determination of inorganic and organic species in environmental matrices, with particular emphasis on their various physico-chemical forms (speciation). The performance of each approach is discussed with respect to analytical figures of merit and existing means of quality assurance. The latter generally consist of intercomparison exercises (co-ordinated by the Measurements and Testing Programme (BCR) of the European Commission) and, when available, the analysis of certified reference materials. There are twenty four contributed chapters covering particular inorganic (chromium, aluminium, selenium, antimony, arsenic, mercury, lead and tin) and organic (chlorinated biphenyls, carbamate pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins) species; general approaches to environmental analysis and quality assurance; emerging techniques such as flow-through sensors, supercritical fluid extraction and fibre optical sensors; established techniques such as neutron activation, isotope dilution ICP-MS and hydride generation; and sequential extraction schemes for soils and sediments. Overall the book is well produced with consistent stylt , clear figures and typeface and a reasonable index. There are minor typographical errors in places but the most immediate and important impact is the wealth of data (in terms of background chemistry, experimental detail and practical results) that is pre0003-2670/95/$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved S.SDIOOO3-2670(95)00228-6
sented. This supports the claim of the editors that the book has been written by experienced practitioners and it certainly achieves the objective of providing a practical reference for postgraduate students and environmental analytical chemists. Paul J. Worsfold Gerhard Talsky, Derivative Spectrophotometry, VCH, Weinheim, 1994 (ISBN 3-527-28294-7). xiv + 228 pp. Price DM 248.00. This book might reasonably be sub-titled ‘All you ever wanted to know about derivative methods but were afraid to ask’! A great deal of work in derivative spectrophotometry has been carried out by Professor Talsky and his co-workers over the last 16 years and unfortunately for many of us in the UK and USA much of this has been in German. However, much of that which was previously difficult to find is now available in this excellent monograph. There are only 5 chapters; an introduction to the technique, Theoretical considerations, Instrumentation, Practical aspects and Applications. In addition to an index, there is an appendix of all Professor Talsky’s published work on derivative spectrophotometry and related differential techniques. After the rather short introduction, Chapter 2 on theoretical considerations of differentiation, derivative spectra and their evaluation is very thorough and concise with excellent graphics. For me this chapter alone would justify the purchase of the book. Topics include a discussion of the loss of information versus the increase in resolution caused by differentiation and comparison of methods for evaluation of derivatives.
238
Book Reviews
Chapter 3 describes methods for obtaining derivatives from instruments and covers the following methods; graphical, mechanical-electrical, optical, signal delay, and analogue and digital computing. Much of this chapter is of historical interest only although the later parts dealing with digital differentiation and smoothing are very well described and give an insight into modem software methods. Chapter 4 is a curious mixture of practical examples of spectra from the literature which illustrate many of the theoretical points made in Chapter 2. Interesting topics include a discussion of what is the optimal derivative order, signal to noise and signal to signal ratios and sample presentation effects. However the gem must be the 12 points contained in the guidelines for generating derivative spectra on page 166. This distillation of Good Derivative Spectroscopic Practice is worth its weight in gold. Chapter 5 is the least interesting and is a 57 table listing of selected published papers [489 of them] by category. In his preface the author sought to convince the reader to explore using higher order derivatives. This monograph, beautifully produced to VCH’s excellent standards, is a must for those exploring derivative spectrophotometric methods and may prove to be a catalyst. C. Burgess Joseph Wang, Analytical Electrochemistry, VCH, Weinheim, 1994 (ISBN l-56081-575-2). xi + 198 pp. Price DM 98.00. Analytical Electrochemistry is a most useful text for postgraduates undertaking a course in electroanalytical chemistry and\ or carrying out research in which electroanalytical techniques are used. In addition, it is of value to scientists in industry and government laboratories who are about to use electroanalytical technique(s) for the first time. It presents a reasonable balance between the theoretical backgrounds of the techniques, their experimental configurations and their analytical applications. The text is amply illustrated by many figures and each section is completed by at least a worked example and relevant literature references. Chapter 1 is concerned with fundamental concepts
in electroanalysis such as the electrical double layer, Chapter 2 on controlled potential techniques such as polarography and stripping voltammetry, Chapter 3 on practical considerations an electroanalysis, Chapter 4 on potentiometry, Chapter 5 on electrochemical sensors such as gas sensors and solid state devices and Chapter 6 on the study of electrode reactions using cyclic voltammetry, scanning probe microscopy, etc. The order in which these chapters appear could perhaps have been reorganised with Chapter 6 following Chapter 1 but, apart from this, the text presents recommended reading and is written by a notable enthusiast in the field of analytical electrochemistry. W.F. Smyth Maria Prudenzati (Ed.), Thick Film Sensors, Vol. 1 of Handbook of Sensors and Actuators, S. Middelhoek (Series Editor), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1994 (ISBN O-444-89723-2). x + 471 pp. Price Dfl. 260.00/ US $ 148.50. This book is the first in a new series dealing with the ever expanding field of sensors and actuators. This particular volume deals with thick film technology. Three major areas are explored in which thick film technology contributes to sensor technology; namely hybrid circuits for signal processing, creation of architectural structures, and transducing elements derived from thick film pastes. Emphasis is placed on both scientific and technological aspects of the subject. The volume is divided into eight sections, dealing with thick film technology, materials and structures, thermal sensors, sensors for mechanical quantities, chemical sensors, radiation sensors, superconductor sensors and other sensors. The volume has been produced from camera-ready copy, and although this detracts from the overall quality of the book, it does contain a great deal of useful information, particularly in the area of fabrication of devices, which will be of immense use to all scientists involved in sensor research and technology. Its price is, however, quite prohibitive in terms of personal purchase, but I would certainly recommend it for institutional purchase as an important reference text. Malcolm R. Smyth
Analytica
Chimica Acta 311(1995)
237-241
Book Reviews Ph. Quevauviller, E.A. Maier and B. Griepink (Eds.), Quality A ssurance for Environmental Analysis, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1994 (ISBN O-444-899553). xx + 649 pp. Price Dfl. 475.00; US $ 271.00. Quality assurance issues are being increasingly recognized as fundamental to the provision of environmental analytical data. The book critically evaluates existing analytical procedures for the determination of inorganic and organic species in environmental matrices, with particular emphasis on their various physico-chemical forms (speciation). The performance of each approach is discussed with respect to analytical figures of merit and existing means of quality assurance. The latter generally consist of intercomparison exercises (co-ordinated by the Measurements and Testing Programme (BCR) of the European Commission) and, when available, the analysis of certified reference materials. There are twenty four contributed chapters covering particular inorganic (chromium, aluminium, selenium, antimony, arsenic, mercury, lead and tin) and organic (chlorinated biphenyls, carbamate pesticides, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and dioxins) species; general approaches to environmental analysis and quality assurance; emerging techniques such as flow-through sensors, supercritical fluid extraction and fibre optical sensors; established techniques such as neutron activation, isotope dilution ICP-MS and hydride generation; and sequential extraction schemes for soils and sediments. Overall the book is well produced with consistent stylt , clear figures and typeface and a reasonable index. There are minor typographical errors in places but the most immediate and important impact is the wealth of data (in terms of background chemistry, experimental detail and practical results) that is pre0003-2670/95/$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved S.SDIOOO3-2670(95)00228-6
sented. This supports the claim of the editors that the book has been written by experienced practitioners and it certainly achieves the objective of providing a practical reference for postgraduate students and environmental analytical chemists. Paul J. Worsfold Gerhard Talsky, Derivative Spectrophotometry, VCH, Weinheim, 1994 (ISBN 3-527-28294-7). xiv + 228 pp. Price DM 248.00. This book might reasonably be sub-titled ‘All you ever wanted to know about derivative methods but were afraid to ask’! A great deal of work in derivative spectrophotometry has been carried out by Professor Talsky and his co-workers over the last 16 years and unfortunately for many of us in the UK and USA much of this has been in German. However, much of that which was previously difficult to find is now available in this excellent monograph. There are only 5 chapters; an introduction to the technique, Theoretical considerations, Instrumentation, Practical aspects and Applications. In addition to an index, there is an appendix of all Professor Talsky’s published work on derivative spectrophotometry and related differential techniques. After the rather short introduction, Chapter 2 on theoretical considerations of differentiation, derivative spectra and their evaluation is very thorough and concise with excellent graphics. For me this chapter alone would justify the purchase of the book. Topics include a discussion of the loss of information versus the increase in resolution caused by differentiation and comparison of methods for evaluation of derivatives.
238
Book Reviews
Chapter 3 describes methods for obtaining derivatives from instruments and covers the following methods; graphical, mechanical-electrical, optical, signal delay, and analogue and digital computing. Much of this chapter is of historical interest only although the later parts dealing with digital differentiation and smoothing are very well described and give an insight into modem software methods. Chapter 4 is a curious mixture of practical examples of spectra from the literature which illustrate many of the theoretical points made in Chapter 2. Interesting topics include a discussion of what is the optimal derivative order, signal to noise and signal to signal ratios and sample presentation effects. However the gem must be the 12 points contained in the guidelines for generating derivative spectra on page 166. This distillation of Good Derivative Spectroscopic Practice is worth its weight in gold. Chapter 5 is the least interesting and is a 57 table listing of selected published papers [489 of them] by category. In his preface the author sought to convince the reader to explore using higher order derivatives. This monograph, beautifully produced to VCH’s excellent standards, is a must for those exploring derivative spectrophotometric methods and may prove to be a catalyst. C. Burgess Joseph Wang, Analytical Electrochemistry, VCH, Weinheim, 1994 (ISBN l-56081-575-2). xi + 198 pp. Price DM 98.00. Analytical Electrochemistry is a most useful text for postgraduates undertaking a course in electroanalytical chemistry and\ or carrying out research in which electroanalytical techniques are used. In addition, it is of value to scientists in industry and government laboratories who are about to use electroanalytical technique(s) for the first time. It presents a reasonable balance between the theoretical backgrounds of the techniques, their experimental configurations and their analytical applications. The text is amply illustrated by many figures and each section is completed by at least a worked example and relevant literature references. Chapter 1 is concerned with fundamental concepts
in electroanalysis such as the electrical double layer, Chapter 2 on controlled potential techniques such as polarography and stripping voltammetry, Chapter 3 on practical considerations an electroanalysis, Chapter 4 on potentiometry, Chapter 5 on electrochemical sensors such as gas sensors and solid state devices and Chapter 6 on the study of electrode reactions using cyclic voltammetry, scanning probe microscopy, etc. The order in which these chapters appear could perhaps have been reorganised with Chapter 6 following Chapter 1 but, apart from this, the text presents recommended reading and is written by a notable enthusiast in the field of analytical electrochemistry. W.F. Smyth Maria Prudenzati (Ed.), Thick Film Sensors, Vol. 1 of Handbook of Sensors and Actuators, S. Middelhoek (Series Editor), Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1994 (ISBN O-444-89723-2). x + 471 pp. Price Dfl. 260.00/ US $ 148.50. This book is the first in a new series dealing with the ever expanding field of sensors and actuators. This particular volume deals with thick film technology. Three major areas are explored in which thick film technology contributes to sensor technology; namely hybrid circuits for signal processing, creation of architectural structures, and transducing elements derived from thick film pastes. Emphasis is placed on both scientific and technological aspects of the subject. The volume is divided into eight sections, dealing with thick film technology, materials and structures, thermal sensors, sensors for mechanical quantities, chemical sensors, radiation sensors, superconductor sensors and other sensors. The volume has been produced from camera-ready copy, and although this detracts from the overall quality of the book, it does contain a great deal of useful information, particularly in the area of fabrication of devices, which will be of immense use to all scientists involved in sensor research and technology. Its price is, however, quite prohibitive in terms of personal purchase, but I would certainly recommend it for institutional purchase as an important reference text. Malcolm R. Smyth