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The fractal approach to heterogeneous chemistry. surface, colloids, polymers
Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 32 (1990) 117-118 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands
117
BOOK REVIEW The Fractal Approach to Heterogeneous Chemistry. Surface, Colloids, Polymers, edited by D. Avnir, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1989, pp. 441, ISBN 0-471-91723-O In his introduction David Avnir states that the aim of this book is to answer the question ‘What is fractal geometry and what can I do with it in my research?‘. Together with 23 co-authors the book aims at highlighting the fractal approach to a very wide range of phenomena of interest in chemistry. Certainly many chemists have turned to fractals in an attempt to find some simple way of characterizing or unifying extremely complex systems. However, the language and validity of this geometric approach though often mentioned, ‘everyone has heard of a fractal’, the depth to which they can be applied is only appreciated by a few. The potential audience this book addresses is therefore very broad. However as with many multi-authors collections the style and philosophical approach in the different chapters is itself heterogeneous. Nevertheless this does not mitigate strongly against the book as a general text. For a newcomer to the field the overview presented by Mandelbrot is both interesting and wide-ranging. The following discourse by Pfeifer and Obert introduces some of the basics of fractals and, although it is very useful, many terms are introduced at an early stage that are not explained (non-random fractals, Cantor staircases, Hausdorf measure) and for someone unfamiliar with the language of fractals this will be rather discouraging. Continuing the background chapter (1.3) further introductory remarks strongly suggest that the book is aimed at chemical applications, and hence presumably chemists. However, the complexity and structure of the rest of this chapter will in general be rather difficult for someone with only a chemical background. Chapter 2 introduces three methods of determining fractal dimensions, image analysis, scattering and energy migration processes and Chapter 3, the mechanism of formation of fractal objects. Both of these chapters are of considerable interest to physical chemists working on adsorption and polymer colloids, and will be widely appreciated. These theories are continued in Chapter 4 when molecular diffusion, surface reactions and irreversible processes occurring in/on electrodes are discussed.
118
The large and increasing interest in porous materials, because of their combination of strength and low density as well as their use in catalysis and chromatography makes the study by fractal methods particularly timely. Chapter 4 contains a useful discourse of these applications which will be of interest to surface scientists. In Chapter 5 two further topics, geochemistry and protein structure are introduced. Overall, this is a useful book which describes many different phenomena of interest in physical and organic chemistry which can be described by the fractal approach. The book is well illustrated and in general well written though some background reading will be essential if one is to take full advantage of the material covered. T. Cosgrove Bristol University
117
BOOK REVIEW The Fractal Approach to Heterogeneous Chemistry. Surface, Colloids, Polymers, edited by D. Avnir, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1989, pp. 441, ISBN 0-471-91723-O In his introduction David Avnir states that the aim of this book is to answer the question ‘What is fractal geometry and what can I do with it in my research?‘. Together with 23 co-authors the book aims at highlighting the fractal approach to a very wide range of phenomena of interest in chemistry. Certainly many chemists have turned to fractals in an attempt to find some simple way of characterizing or unifying extremely complex systems. However, the language and validity of this geometric approach though often mentioned, ‘everyone has heard of a fractal’, the depth to which they can be applied is only appreciated by a few. The potential audience this book addresses is therefore very broad. However as with many multi-authors collections the style and philosophical approach in the different chapters is itself heterogeneous. Nevertheless this does not mitigate strongly against the book as a general text. For a newcomer to the field the overview presented by Mandelbrot is both interesting and wide-ranging. The following discourse by Pfeifer and Obert introduces some of the basics of fractals and, although it is very useful, many terms are introduced at an early stage that are not explained (non-random fractals, Cantor staircases, Hausdorf measure) and for someone unfamiliar with the language of fractals this will be rather discouraging. Continuing the background chapter (1.3) further introductory remarks strongly suggest that the book is aimed at chemical applications, and hence presumably chemists. However, the complexity and structure of the rest of this chapter will in general be rather difficult for someone with only a chemical background. Chapter 2 introduces three methods of determining fractal dimensions, image analysis, scattering and energy migration processes and Chapter 3, the mechanism of formation of fractal objects. Both of these chapters are of considerable interest to physical chemists working on adsorption and polymer colloids, and will be widely appreciated. These theories are continued in Chapter 4 when molecular diffusion, surface reactions and irreversible processes occurring in/on electrodes are discussed.
118
The large and increasing interest in porous materials, because of their combination of strength and low density as well as their use in catalysis and chromatography makes the study by fractal methods particularly timely. Chapter 4 contains a useful discourse of these applications which will be of interest to surface scientists. In Chapter 5 two further topics, geochemistry and protein structure are introduced. Overall, this is a useful book which describes many different phenomena of interest in physical and organic chemistry which can be described by the fractal approach. The book is well illustrated and in general well written though some background reading will be essential if one is to take full advantage of the material covered. T. Cosgrove Bristol University