Science of Interfacial Phenomena
Additional Information
Fundamental understanding of the physical and chemical properties of interfaces in natural and engineered materials is a critical component of environmental and energy-related research, understanding and controlling global warming, and the development of technologies important to the mission of DOE and society. The importance of interfaces has been highlighted in DOE science workshops on topics that include geosciences, solid-state lighting, solar energy, and advanced nuclear energy systems.
Tailored or designed surfaces and interfaces are important as model systems for detailed study of processes that occur on natural heterogeneous materials present in atmospheric or subsurface environments and for developing materials with new properties for
energy production, catalysis, and numerous other applications.
The behaviors of complex heterogeneous materials in the environment (such as aerosol photochemistry or contaminant migration) will 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 with specific properties are essential for developing technologies needed for a stable environment and a secure energy future. Understanding complex interfaces requires methods to characterize naturally complex materials and minerals found in the environment and to understand increasingly complex materials designed and synthesized for a desired functionality. These science issues complement and naturally intersect those of the biological and geoscience science themes.
Two of the significant scientific challenges related to advancing interfacial science are: 1) developing (and verifying) predictive models for interfacial processes with energy and environmental implications, and 2) advancing the understanding of structure-function relationships in complex multi-component interfacial systems. The Science of Interfacial Phenomena science theme is focused on research activities that address these two scientific challenges in specific areas with high environmental or energy impact, such as:
- Nucleation and growth in multiphase and multicomponent systems (e.g., aerosols, materials synthesis, carbon sequestration, and geochemical processes)
- Phase separation and transformation (e.g., dissolution, precipitation, deliquescence, efflorescence, and ice formation)
- Charge and mass transport processes at interfaces that influence chemical transformations and energy production or storage as relevant to catalysis and photocatalysis, photovoltaics and solid-state lighting, aerosol interactions in the environment, and fuel cells and batteries
- Rational synthesis of materials and interfaces optimized for energy production, energy storage, sensing, catalysis, solid-state lighting, and bio-compatibility.
Fields and technologies that will be impacted by the improved understanding and control of molecular-level structural, dynamic, and transport properties of interfaces include the following:
- New generations of selective catalysts
- Solid-oxide fuel cells and energy storage
- Thin-film solar cells
- Solid-state lighting
- Hydrogen production and storage
- Models of the impact of aerosol chemistry on global warming and atmospheric contamination
- Prediction and mediation of contaminant migration in groundwater
- Carbon sequestration
- Chemical sensors and radiation detectors
- Materials for next-generation nuclear reactors
- Biomaterials for medical devices and drug delivery.
Research capabilities and expertise at EMSL enable the design and characterization of a variety of material systems with specialized atomic, electronic, and ionic transport and interfacial properties. EMSL's unique blend of capabilities and staff expertise makes it a premier laboratory for the study of oxide materials and mineral surfaces.
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)
