Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Physical Chemistry of Interfaces

Further sessions will address electric double layers at solid–liquid junctions, specific ion adsorption, surface complexation models, and the structure of water near charged or hydrophobic surfaces. Presentations may cover Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett monolayers, self-assembled monolayers, supported lipid bilayers, and the assembly of nanoparticles at liquid–liquid and liquid–air boundaries. Discussion will extend to nucleation at surfaces, heterogeneous catalysis on stepped and defect-rich substrates, and the influence of surface reconstruction on reactivity under reaction conditions. Atomic force microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance, and grazing-incidence scattering will be considered as tools for resolving interfacial structure in situ. Understanding the importance of interfaces in corrosion, membrane fouling, colloidal stability, wetting transitions, and biological adhesion will be encouraged, with attention to design strategies for antifouling, anti-icing, and self-cleaning coatings.