FT2 Interfaces

Modification and characterization of interfaces

Crystal growth, colloidal stabilization and the nucleation of substrates with catalyst particles are only few examples which demonstrate that the knowledge based synthesis and engineering of materials is closely related to and dependent on the nature of their interfaces. Thus, in depth understanding of interfacial properties is the key to materials’ innovation with nano-structural control. The activities of FT2 will be to examine the effect of adsorption and other interfacial phenomena on functional materials’ properties. Furthermore, important questions, like what type of and how much atomic level understanding does efficient interface engineering require, will be addressed. Various types of solid substrates, ranging from clusters, particles with flat and curved surfaces through flat model surfaces, where atomic level understanding does already exist, will be addressed by experiment and theory. FT2 aims to establish links between modification and engineering of structures via their interfaces on the one hand, and the functional device properties on the other.

Key activities of FT2 will include

• Interface design and self-assembly
• Surface science and colloidal systems
• Transfer of knowledge from model systems to real world samples
  Site selective functionalization of nanostructures
• Interface engineering and its role in the process chain