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Interpenetrating polymer networks and related materials
BOOK REVIEWS Interpenetrating Polymer Networks and Related Materials. By L. H. S P E R L I N G , Plenum, New York/ London, 1981. 265 pp. $35.00. This appears to be an appropriate time for a book on this subject. Books may have their greatest impact at a time when a field is growing yet tractable within the scope of a single volume. The idealized molecular topologies associated with chain interpenetration are given early in the text, and the practical definition later (Chap. 8), for interpenetrating networks (IPN). They are defined as a combination of two or more polymers in network form, at least one of which is synthesized and/or crosslinked in the "immediate presence" of the other. The author appropriately recognizes that, since most of the more interesting IPNs are phase separated, the term "interpenetrating phases" may accurately describe most of the systems. Professor Sperling has provided a valuable cross codification for the field of multicomponent polymers which, by the broad definition of IPN, encompasses many multicomponent systems not normally considered to be IPNs. Diverse yet related examples cited include sulfur vulcanization of rubber (1844), to modern automobile tires (rubber-rubber) plus sheet molding compounds and thermoplastic IPNs involving continuous and immiscible physical, rather than chemically-joined, phases. Broadly speaking, as cited in Chap. 7, IPNs may be viewed as a class of polymer-polymer composites. With this awesome conceptual range for IPNs, the author provides a chapter of excellent perspective on proposed and actual applications of IPNs (Chap. 8). Fortunately, also, the author provides an excellent summary of nomenclature, abbreviations, and jargon. Thus an IPN of poly(ethyl acrylate) and polystyrene,
Polymer Science and Engineering Department University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
Interfacial Photoprocesses: Energy Conversion and Synthesis. Edited by M. S. WaIGHTON, Adv. Chemistry Series No. 184, Amer. Chem. Soc., Washington, D. C., 1980, 315 pp. $44.00. This book includes the 15 papers presented at a symposium sponsored by the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry at the 176th Meeting of the Amer. Chem. Soc., Miami Beach, Florida, September 11-13, 1978. The main theme of these papers was to report on current research efforts in the area of interracial phenomena which might be related to the application
of photo energy conversion. The accurate and concise summary of the paper presented in this publication was taken directly from the preface by the editor, M. S. Wrighton. Interfacial systems, specifically solid semiconductorliquid junctions, are amply covered by the contributions from A. Heller and A. J. Nozik. In chapters by R. W. Murray and M. S. Wrighton syntheses of photosensitive interfaces by chemical functionalization are described, offering new approaches to energy conversion materials important in electrochemistry. Pre-
polymerized in that order, would be written poly(ethyl acrylate-i-styrene). Of course, a principal problem, faced directly by the author on p. 192, is specification of the likely gradient of interpenetration and interphasing. Although model equations based on swelling and modulus have been offered as proof of interpenetration, the ability to identify IPNs definitively appears yet not to be clear. Thus the precise scaling and control for the degree of interpenetration would seem to remain a vexing problem as polymer systems generally become less miscible, i.e., less interpenetrating, as polymerization takes place (either simultaneously or sequentially) inferring marked variations in interpenetration with time, location, and conditions. Perhaps the only ideal systems for interpenetration stem from the early work of Millar, where (p. 50) both polymer networks are designed to be chemically identical (called Millar IPNs). This book provides perspective for all those interested in the large and growing field of multicomponent polymer systems involving blends, blocks, and grafts. The author's own contributions to the field of IPNs have been major. In book preparation, he has minimized the tendency of research leaders to write books with nominal objectivity but with the expression virtually of only their own views. The book is successfully informal and more readable than most, with even a jest here and there, exemplified by Fig. 2.7. The book is generally well produced and error-free. It is beautifully referenced. ROGER S. PORTER
587 0021-9797/82/060587-02502.00/0 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 87, No. 2, June 1982
Copyright © 1982 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
Polymer Science and Engineering Department University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
Interfacial Photoprocesses: Energy Conversion and Synthesis. Edited by M. S. WaIGHTON, Adv. Chemistry Series No. 184, Amer. Chem. Soc., Washington, D. C., 1980, 315 pp. $44.00. This book includes the 15 papers presented at a symposium sponsored by the Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry at the 176th Meeting of the Amer. Chem. Soc., Miami Beach, Florida, September 11-13, 1978. The main theme of these papers was to report on current research efforts in the area of interracial phenomena which might be related to the application
of photo energy conversion. The accurate and concise summary of the paper presented in this publication was taken directly from the preface by the editor, M. S. Wrighton. Interfacial systems, specifically solid semiconductorliquid junctions, are amply covered by the contributions from A. Heller and A. J. Nozik. In chapters by R. W. Murray and M. S. Wrighton syntheses of photosensitive interfaces by chemical functionalization are described, offering new approaches to energy conversion materials important in electrochemistry. Pre-
polymerized in that order, would be written poly(ethyl acrylate-i-styrene). Of course, a principal problem, faced directly by the author on p. 192, is specification of the likely gradient of interpenetration and interphasing. Although model equations based on swelling and modulus have been offered as proof of interpenetration, the ability to identify IPNs definitively appears yet not to be clear. Thus the precise scaling and control for the degree of interpenetration would seem to remain a vexing problem as polymer systems generally become less miscible, i.e., less interpenetrating, as polymerization takes place (either simultaneously or sequentially) inferring marked variations in interpenetration with time, location, and conditions. Perhaps the only ideal systems for interpenetration stem from the early work of Millar, where (p. 50) both polymer networks are designed to be chemically identical (called Millar IPNs). This book provides perspective for all those interested in the large and growing field of multicomponent polymer systems involving blends, blocks, and grafts. The author's own contributions to the field of IPNs have been major. In book preparation, he has minimized the tendency of research leaders to write books with nominal objectivity but with the expression virtually of only their own views. The book is successfully informal and more readable than most, with even a jest here and there, exemplified by Fig. 2.7. The book is generally well produced and error-free. It is beautifully referenced. ROGER S. PORTER
587 0021-9797/82/060587-02502.00/0 Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol. 87, No. 2, June 1982
Copyright © 1982 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.