Published Resources Details
Review
- Title
- Electrode Potentials
- In
- Nature
- Description of Work
- Review of: The Electrode Potential Behaviour of Corroding Metals in Aqueous Solutions (1938) By 0. Gatty and Dr. E. C. R. Spooner.
- Imprint
- vol. 3617, 25 February 1939, p. 315
- Url
- https://www.nature.com/articles/143315b0.pdf
- Format
- Abstract
Electrode Potentials
The Electrode Potential Behaviour of Corroding Metals in Aqueous Solutions By 0. Gatty and Dr. E. C. R. Spooner. Pp. xi+ 504. (Oxford: Clarendon Press; London: Oxford University Press, 1938.) 25s. net.
Much in electrochemistry is controversial, and fresh outlooks and ideas are exceedingly stimulating. This book is justified by the ingenuity of speculation advanced, quite apart from the very considerable amount of data, largely original, presented upon the electrode potential characteristics of a large number of the more important metals.
The arrangement is certainly unorthodox for a work which may well be considered standard, but the context falls easily into the collection of papers presented, and is quite easy for reference even if it does suffer from the lack of a subject index.
A large introductory paper deals with theory : it is well arranged, comprehensive, often original in outlook, and rich in references. There follows, in a. number of papers, a treatment of the specific behaviour of many metals ; very clear descriptions of the experimental technique adopted are given, and the analysis and discussion of phenomena presented are critical.
In particular, the paper on iron should receive mention, from the importance of the metal, and from the comparative length of the treatment given. It outlines work published upon behaviour, stresses the importance of the time factor in potential measurement interpretation, and elucidates much concerning the nature of the corrosion of iron, passivity, the effects of solute nature, pH, temperature, grinding, oxygen diffusion, etc. It is exceedingly clear upon the mechanism whereby the inhibition of corrosion is effected by ohromates.
There are a number of appendixes of some length, forming a not unimportant part of the whole. One treats with very recent work in overvoltage, some of which has not otherwise been published. Another deals with developments in the theory of tarnishing, applications of which to the treatment of .silver, copper, and aluminium bronze, have much promise.
This book is of very definite utility to electrochemists and corrosion chemists, and should be of considerable interest to many others. A. J. G.