Synthesis of inorganic materials /

Schubert (Vienna Univ. of Technology, Austria) and Husing (Ulm Univ., Germany) have condensed the preparation of inorganic materials into a complete and very readable account in this third edition of Synthesis of Inorganic Materials (2nd ed., 2003; 1st ed., 2000). The authors have divided the subject up by preparation method. These include solid-state reactions, formation from the gas phase, formation from liquids and melts, and preparation of polymers and templated and nanostructured materials. These methods cover the formation of everything ranging from the solid-state formation of superconducting ceramics to the chemical vapor deposition method of semiconductor preparation, to glass formation, to the formation of nanowires, and many more materials in between. Some types of materials show up in several places, since they can be prepared using several methods. As a chemist, this reviewer appreciated the inclusion of the chemistry of these materials throughout the text. As a teacher, he appreciated the real-world applications. The authors have succeeded in writing a text that spans chemistry and materials science, with practical applications in both areas. It is a useful reference for interested audiences. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, researchers/faculty, and professionals/practitioners. S. S. Mason University of Mount Union