Operando surface science – Atomistic insights into electrified solid/liquid interfaces

The importance of solid/liquid interfaces for technological applications, e.g., in the fields of catalysis, energy conversion and storage or bio- and geophysical research has led to strong research initiatives to bridge the pressure and material gaps between classical surface science UHV studies and realistic working conditions. While the development of new experimental and simulation in-situ approaches have resulted in an enhanced understanding particularly of water at various surfaces ranging from metals to metal-chalcogenides to semiconductors, the interplay between dynamic operando conditions – including charge transfer and potential gradients – and interfacial atomic structure and reactivity have remained unresolved. Building up an atomistic picture of the complex interrelation between charge transfer, chemical conversion and interfacial potential in the presence of a solvent is one of the most imminent challenges that experimentalists and theoreticians working with solid/liquid interfaces are facing.

The WE-Heraeus seminar "Operando surface science – Atomistic insights into electrified solid/liquid interfaces" provides a discussion platform to assess the current state of art of the research on the dynamics of electrified interfaces with nanoscopic detail. As electrified solid/liquid interfaces play a key role in various disciplines, surface scientists with backgrounds in biology, chemistry and physics alike are welcome to exchange their complementary knowledge on the topic and pinpoint the challenges and opportunities that this research field entails. The seminar evolves around four subtopics, spanning from fundamental methodological and conceptual approaches to important technological applications in catalysis and energy conversion and storage as well as to interfaces of bio- or geophysical relevance.

The conference language will be English. The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Foundation bears the cost of full-board accommodation for all participants.