Book excerpt: Chemistry of Modified Oxide and Phosphate Surfaces: Fundamentals and Applications, Second Edition, Volume 17 presents an updated overview of the surface chemistry of modified oxides and phosphates. The book focuses on their potential applications and provides a fundamental understanding and explanation of significant developments. This new edition extensively updates and expands existing chapters with more recent examples and applications (such as bulk and surface modifications). In addition, it adds two new chapters on both the formulation of solid propellants for rockets and missiles and medical applications. This book will serve as an effective starting point for anyone wanting to understand the subject in greater depth. It will appeal to advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, as well as researchers and the industry sector. - Overviews fundamental surface chemistry and applications of modified oxides and phosphates - Clearly describes synthesis routes, presents current applications, and suggests possible future applications of these classes of compounds - Includes extensively updated and expanded chapters in this new edition - Presents two completely new chapters on key topics, including the formulation of solid propellants and medical applications