Surface Science

Leader: Jouko Lahtinen

Overview

The Surface Science group studies structures, bonding, and reactivity at solid surfaces on the atomic and molecular scale using advanced surface sensitive tools in Ultra High Vacuum environment. This knowledge is utilized to understand macroscopic behavior of nanostructures and surface phenomena like heterogeneous catalysis and adhesion.

Research is carried out in the following areas:

• Structural and chemical characterization of nanomaterials
• Interactions and structures of adsorbate species on metal surfaces
• Surface and near surface characterization of oxide materials, nanoparticles and ‘real’ catalysts.

For an introduction to surface science and especially its relation to catalysis, see e.g. the Nobel Price in Chemistry 2007: Chemical Processes on Solid Surfaces.