Science of Interfacial Phenomena
Interfaces control many chemical and physical properties of natural and engineered materials critical to environmental and energy-related research and technology. Tailored or designed surfaces and interfaces are important, both as model systems for detailed study of processes that occur on natural heterogeneous materials in the environment and to design materials with new properties for technological use, such as energy production or catalysis. It is likely that the behaviors of complex heterogeneous materials in the environment can never be fully understood without model systems that allow specific aspects of that complexity to be examined in detail. Likewise, material systems with interfaces optimized to have specific properties are essential for the advanced technologies needed for a secure environment and a stable energy future for the nation.
Additional Information
Examples of technologies that rely on improved understanding and control of molecular-level structural, dynamic, and transport properties of interfaces include: hydrogen production and storage, chemical sensors and radiation detectors, solid-oxide fuel cell research and development, materials for next-generation nuclear reactors, thin-film solar cells, new generations of selective catalysts, and the development of solid-state lighting.
Because of their environmental importance EMSL has become a premier laboratory for the study of oxide materials and mineral surfaces. These materials have an increasing importance in many new technology areas and will remain our main focus. As such, it is crucial to understand the scientific issues associated with designed surfaces and interfaces that can be effectively used in a particular physical and chemical process. Compared to what is known at the atomic and molecular levels for metal and semiconductor materials, much less is known about metal oxides. The complexity of the structures involved often makes them difficult to study, both theoretically and experimentally. The scientific expertise developed over the past years and the research capabilities available at EMSL are ideally suited to helping advance our understanding of these scientific issues.
Interfacial research activities associated with environmental geochemistry, biology, and atmospheric chemistry are not covered here because these are being captured under the science themes of Biogeochemistry and Subsurface Science, Biological Interactions and Dynamics, and Atmospheric Aerosol Chemistry. In particular, this science theme will focus on the following topical areas:
- Catalytic structure-function relationships to allow precise control of catalytic activity and selectivity
- Gaining critical knowledge of photocatalysis and photochemistry
- Design material systems with specialized charge and mass transport properties.
This science theme focuses on developing an understanding of catalytic structure-function relationships at the atomic level that will allow precise control of catalytic activity and selectivity. In addition, the science will address in a definitive and comprehensive way, for the first time, the effect of nanoscaling on the surface chemistry of well-defined metal oxides. Highly controlled experiments in the growth, characterization, and reactivity of oxide nanodots and continuous films of nanometer thickness will elucidate the effects of quantum-confined and strain-driven electronic structures on the thermal and photochemistries of select materials. The research capabilities and expertise in EMSL will also enable the design of material systems with specialized atomic, electronic, and ionic transport properties. EMSL is an ideal place for this research to be performed because it is a premier oxide laboratory and has provided the foundation for several current research areas including surface chemistry and catalysis. As part of this research, several one-of-a-kind capabilities are planned for development in the near future. These capabilities will make EMSL a unique facility that will attract many world-class scientists as users.
All Related Publications Related Publications
- Low-cost and durable catalyst support for fuel cells: graphite submicronparticles.
- Fluorescent Dye Encapsulated ZnO Particles with Cell-specific Toxicity for Potential use in Biomedical Applications.
- The Oil-Water Interface: Mapping the Solvation Potential.
- Nanotechnology-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Biomonitoring Chemical Exposures .
- Anisotropy of disorder accumulation and recovery in 6H-SiC irradiated with Au2+ ions at 140 K.
Related Research Highlights
- Microstructures of ZnO Films Deposited on (0001) and r-cut α-Al2O3 Using Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (Sapphires & Sunscreen)
- A Fast Analysis Technique to Evaluate Scintillation Response (Let There Be Light Yield)
- Probing Reaction Pathways Using in situ 1H NMR Spectroscopy (Hydrogen Does the Two Step)
- Conductivity of Oriented Samaria-Doped Ceria Thin Films Grown by Oxygen-Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy (The Good Samaria)
Science of Interfacial Phenomena Capabilities Available at EMSL
To help with proposal planning, icons in the table below indicate instrument availability:
- 10 hours a day, 5 days a week
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
