Physical Adsorption: Forces and Phenomena(33 International Series of Monographs on Chemistry)

Physical adsorption involves atomic or molecular films bound to surfaces by less than 0.5eV per particle (10 kcal/mole). This subject has attracted wide interest because these films exhibit behaviour characteristic of two-dimensional matter. The phase diagram of these films are diverse and often rich in structure because of the competing energy and length scales of the two interactions involved in this probelm: the mutual intercation between adsorped molecules and the force binding each molecule to the surface. This book describes the authors current understanding of these phenomena from a fundamental perspective. After explining the microscopic origin of these forces in terms of the constituent electrons, the text describes how statistical mechanical theory and/or computer simulation employ these forces to calculate the structural and dynamical properties of the films. Throughout the book, comparison is made with many relevant experiments. Unique in its field, this book will be of interest to students and both academic and industrial researchers in chemistry, engineering and physics.

Table of Contents:
Preface 1: Monolayer Physics 2: Interactions 3: Monolayer structures 4: Monolayer films: theoretical context 5: Many-body theory of monolayers 6: Monolayer examples Appendices A. Parameters of the 3D phases B. Thermodynamic Analysis C. Surface Response Function D. Derivation of the fragment formula E. Adatom-substrate dispersion energies F. 2D Fourier transforms G. Lattice dynamics examples H. Systems of units Index

Review :
For research workers in this field it is simply a must, and will be a mojor source of information, spurring on further detailed and related work. `The writing is succinct and lucid; concepts are defined and the mathematics is comprehensible. ... I recommend this book to chemists who seek an up-to-date and authoritative account of physical adsorption and the forces operating between adsorbate and adsorbent.' Chemistry in Britain, October Attention to detail in the bibliography and references is particularly thorough, and cross referencing is extensive, which makes the book easy to use. It is well writeen and attractively produced; these features may increase the readership beyond the immediate specialist audience. For research workers in this field it is simply a must, and will be a major source of information, spuring on further and related work.