An accessible yet rigorous discussion, featuring case studies and study problems to illustrate and reinforce key concepts.

Understanding the structural and thermodynamic properties of surfaces, interfaces, and membranes is important for both fundamental and practical reasons. Important applications include coatings, dispersants, encapsulating agents, and biological materials. Soft materials, important in the development of new materials and the basis of many biological systems, cannot be designed using trial and error methods due to the multiplicity of components and parameters. While these systems can sometimes be analyzed in terms of microscopic mixtures, it is often conceptually simpler to regard them as dispersions and to focus on the properties of the internal interfaces found in these systems. The basic physics centers on the properties of quasi-two-dimensional systems embedded in the three-dimensional world, thus exhibiting phenomena that do not exist in bulk materials. This approach is the basis behind the theoretical presentation of Statistical Thermodynamics of Surfaces, Interfaces, and Membranes. The approach adapted allows one to treat the rich diversity of phenomena investigated in the field of soft matter physics (including both colloid/interface science as well as the materials and macromolecular aspects of biological physics) such as interfacial tension, the roughening transition, wetting, interactions between surfaces, membrane elasticity, and self-assembly. Presented as a set of lecture notes, this book is aimed at physicists, physical chemists, biological physicists, chemical engineers, and materials scientists who are interested in the statistical mechanics that underlie the macroscopic, thermodynamic properties of surfaces, interfaces, and membranes. This paperback edition contains all the material published in the original hard-cover edition as well as additional clarifications and explanations.

This graduate-level textbook covers the major developments in surface sciences of recent decades, from experimental tricks and basic techniques to the latest experimental methods and theoretical understanding. It is unique in its attempt to treat the physics of surfaces, thin films and interfaces, surface chemistry, thermodynamics, statistical physics and the physics of the solid/electrolyte interface in an integral manner, rather than in separate compartments. It is designed as a handbook for the researcher as well as a study-text for graduate students. Written explanations are supported by 350 graphs and illustrations.

Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces Comprehensive textbook on the interdisciplinary field of interface science, fully updated with new content on wetting, spectroscopy, and coatings Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of surface and interface science, focusing on essential concepts rather than specific details, and on intuitive understanding rather than convoluted math. Numerous high-end applications from surface technology, biotechnology, and microelectronics are included to illustrate and help readers easily comprehend basic concepts. The new edition contains an increased number of problems with detailed, worked solutions, making it ideal as a self-study resource. In topic coverage, the highly qualified authors take a balanced approach, discussing advanced interface phenomena in detail while remaining comprehensible. Chapter summaries with the most important equations, facts, and phenomena are included to aid the reader in information retention. A few of the sample topics included in Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces are as follows: Liquid surfaces, covering microscopic picture of a liquid surface, surface tension, the equation of Young and Laplace, and curved liquid surfaces Thermodynamics of interfaces, covering surface excess, internal energy and Helmholtz energy, equilibrium conditions, and interfacial excess energies Charged interfaces and the electric double layer, covering planar surfaces, the Grahame equation, and limitations of the Poisson-Boltzmann theory Surface forces, covering Van der Waals forces between molecules, macroscopic calculations, the Derjaguin approximation, and disjoining pressure Physics and Chemistry of Interfaces is a complete reference on the subject, aimed at advanced students (and their instructors) in physics, material science, chemistry, and engineering. Researchers requiring background knowledge on surface and interface science will also benefit from the accessible yet in-depth coverage of the text.

"Thermodynamics of Materials" introduces the basic underlying principles of thermodynamics as well as their applicability to the behavior of all classes of materials, while providing an integrated approach from macro- (or classical) thermodynamics to meso- and nanothermodynamics, and microscopic (or statistical) thermodynamics. The book is intended for scientists, engineers and graduate students in all fields involving materials science-related disciplines. Both Dr. Qing Jiang and Dr. Zi Wen are professors at Jilin University.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, Albena, Bulgaria, from 9 to 20 September 2002

Physics of Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces emphasizes current theoretical ideas and modern experimental tools for characterizing the physical properties of polymer surfaces and interfaces. Foremost are their important roles in polymer technology throughthe processes of wetting, adhesion, adsorption, and through their effect on the kinetics of phase separation and mechanical mixing of molten polymers. Each of the 14 chapters in this book stands as a 'mini-review' of a specific subject. This up-to-date compendium of the most significant theoretical and experimental works provides a scientific understanding of the physics of polymer interfaces and surfaces and will aid scientists in planning and interpreting new results.

A comprehensive introduction, examining both macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the subject, the book applies the theory of thermodynamics to a broad range of materials; from metals, ceramics and other inorganic materials to geological materials. Focusing on materials rather than the underlying mathematical concepts of the subject, this book will be ideal for the non-specialist requiring an introduction to the energetics and stability of materials. Macroscopic thermodynamic properties are linked to the underlying miscroscopic nature of the materials and trends in important properties are discussed. A unique approach covering both macroscopic and microscopic aspects of the subject Authors have worldwide reputations in this area Fills a gap in the market by featuring a wide range of real up-to-date examples and covering a large amount of materials

If a Writer would know how to behave himself with relation to Posterity; let him consider in old Books, what he finds, that he is glad to know; and what Omissions he most laments. Jonathan Swift This book emerges from a long story of teaching. I taught chemical engineering thermodynamics for about ten years at the University of Naples in the 1960s, and I still remember the awkwardness that I felt about any textbook I chose to consider-all of them seemed to be vague at best, and the standard of logical rigor seemed immensely inferior to what I could find in books on such other of the students in my first class subjects as calculus and fluid mechanics. One (who is now Prof. F. Gioia of the University of Naples) once asked me a question which I have used here as Example 4. 2-more than 20 years have gone by, and I am still waiting for a more intelligent question from one of my students. At the time, that question compelled me to answer in a way I didn't like, namely "I'll think about it, and I hope I'll have the answer by the next time we meet. " I didn't have it that soon, though I did manage to have it before the end of the course.

Chemistry of Functional Materials Surfaces and Interfaces: Fundamentals and Applications gives a descriptive account of interfacial phenomena step-by-step, from simple to complex, to provide readers with a strong foundation of knowledge in interfacial materials chemistry. Many case studies are provided to give real-world examples of problems and their solutions, allowing readers to make the connection between fundamental understanding and applications. Emerging applications in nanomaterials and nanotechnology are also discussed. Throughout the book, the author explains the common interface and surface equations, models, methods, and applications in the creation of functional materials. The goal of Chemistry of Functional Materials Surfaces and Interfaces is to provide readers with the basic understanding of the common tools of surface and interface chemistry for application in materials science and nanotechnology. This book is suitable for researchers and practitioners in the disciplines of materials science and engineering and surface and interface chemistry. Includes numerous real-world examples and case studies throughout Addresses emerging applications of interfacial materials chemistry in nanomaterials and nanotechnology Provides the foundational concepts of surface and interfacial science with models, equation, and methods