Surface and Interface Science

Surfaces and Interface Science provides a comprehensive introduction to the science behind surface and interface phenomena. Starting from the concept of an interface as the contact region between an object and its surrounding medium, the book explores how bulk property perturbations create surface characteristics. It integrates principles of physics and chemistry to explain processes such as wetting, nucleation, catalysis, and surface reconstruction, alongside phenomena like surface tension, adhesion, and adsorption. Characterization techniques, including spectroscopy, contact angle, and thermal desorption, are critically examined. Written by experts with decades of experience, this text is ideal for advanced students and researchers seeking a foundational resource with broad applications in biomaterials, microelectronics, and polymer science. Key features • First book on the scientific principles underlying the field of surfaces and interfaces • Illustrates how basic concepts, including kinetics, thermodynamics and chemical bonding, are applied in surface reconstruction, wetting, nucleation and catalysis • Explains phenomena including surface tension, surface phase equilibria, adhesion and adsorption • Discusses the power and limitations of surface characterization techniques, including spectroscopic characterization, contact angle and thermal desorption • Includes problems, sidebars and exercises for students • Written by highly experienced authors, who have worked in the field of surface and interface science for a combined total of more than 80 years