O’Hayre’s textbook on materials kinetics serves as a concise introduction to the topic. The book is intended for use in a third- or fourth-year undergraduate class, and is well suited both in terms of the depth of topical coverage as well as writing style that maintains student interest. The writing style is somewhat less formal than in other textbooks on this topic, and more complicated math is often skipped in the interest of moving more quickly to practical outcomes. In addition, the book continually ties fundamental concepts to a range of applications. At the end of each chapter are a brief summary and a short list of questions that could be assigned as homework.
The book is split roughly in half. The first half, “Kinetic Principles,” begins with two chapters that introduce the topic of materials kinetics and then review the foundational thermodynamics. The principles that are reviewed include thermodynamic potentials, reaction equilibrium constants, and calculations of various units of concentration. This review might be unnecessary in a curriculum that offers thermodynamics and kinetics in a well-integrated sequence.
The heart of the first half comes in the next two chapters. Chapter 3 discusses chemical kinetics, starting with zero-, first-, and second-order homogeneous reactions and then moving to heterogeneous reactions. Chapter 4 discusses transport kinetics. Continuum approaches are given first, with content centered on Fick’s first and second laws. Next, atomistic approaches are summarized, largely to show how diffusivities can be derived from first principles in ideal gases and solids.
The book’s second half is entitled “Applications of Materials Kinetics,” and consists of three chapters. Chapter 5 deals with kinetics at the gas–solid interface, including adsorption, gaseous corrosion, and various thin-film deposition methods. Chapter 6 discusses phase transformations, solidification, nucleation, and growth. Finally, a brief chapter 7 considers microstructural evolution. Of the book’s little more than 100 figures, there is a much greater density of them in this second half.
The writing style, figures, and worked examples are consistently good and will appeal to undergraduates. There are numerous asides that add depth and interest to the topics. For example, snowpack evolution and avalanches are used to highlight the effects of gas–solid kinetics. If the book has a fault, it is that it can be a bit too brief. The microstructural evolution chapter, in particular, could have more extended discussion. The book seems about the right length for a one-semester undergraduate course if the instructor chooses to focus on only the topics given here. Instructors who may wish to branch out to other topics or take some of the included topics to more depth may find some aspects lacking. This textbook is non-intimidating and focuses on the many aspects of materials (and not just chemical or physical) kinetics. I would recommend a graduate student in materials science to start with a more rigorous text, provided that their undergraduate background was in chemistry, physics, or other aligned field.
Reviewer: Joshua Hertz is an assistant teaching professor in the College of Engineering, Northeastern University, USA.
