Advances in Solid State Chemistry: v. 3

Contemporary studies in solid-state chemistry continue to be characterized by diversity both in the types of material studies and the techniques used in their investigation. Moreover, there is a strongly emerging trend for increased interplay between experimental and theoretical studies. These generalities are well illustrated by the five contributions in Volume 3 of "Advances in Solid-State Chemistry". The first article describes progress in the study of plastic crystals, a combination of new techniques for which is revealing new structural and dynamical detail. The second article reviews the technologically important area of ceramic materials and the dependence of their properties on defects and impurities. The next two articles are devoted to the science of high temperature superconductivity, a field undergoing very significant advances. Singh and Edwards review the growing class of materials in which this behaviour is observed, with strong emphasis on the structural properties of superconducting compounds. Allan and Mackrodt focus on defect properties and non-stoichiometry and the factors necessary for the occurrence of high Tc behaviour in both hole and electron conductors.
The final article concerns microporous ceramics - a rapidly growing and increasingly diverse class of materials with applications in catalysis, ion exchange and gas separation. The Volume once again continues the theme of the series by illustrating the type of problem and approach in current solid state studies as applied to topics of particular contemporary interest. It will have wide appeal to both specialists in solid-state science and a wider community of researchers and practitioners in the physical sciences.