This book deals with the physico-chemical principles underlying ion-
exchange sorption and chromatog aphy. It does not cover in any detail
the experimental and instrumental aspects of practical separations. The
author has developed the subject starting from the synthesis and
structure of the ion exchangers employed, through the thermodynamics of
sorption selectivity and the equilibrium dynamics of ion sorption, to
the kinetics and dynamics of non-equilibrium ion-exchange systems.
Throughout this treatment the additional factors arising from the
exchange of complex organic ions, as opposed to simple mineral ones,
have been interwoven. The author has stressed the application in the
separation of organic ions with biological activity, many of which are
synthesized in biotechnological processes, and in view of this he uses
the expression "physico-chemical biotechnology." In practice, however,
his in-depth treatment is applicable to any charged organic species with
multifunction- ality and/or high molecular weight, and is therefore by
no means restricted to biologically active materials, and certainly not
to those molecules from a biotechnological source. Bearing this in mind,
the text has a much wider value than the title may convey.