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[October 2003]
New Volume on Oxide Surface and Interfaces
'Structure-Property Relationships of Oxide Surfaces and Interfaces II' is a new volume (751) from the Materials Research Society (MRS) based in Warrendale, PA, USA.
MRS says in its introduction that surfaces and interfaces found in oxide systems are strikingly complex. Their structures are irregular, often comprising unique atom arrangements, cation and anion vacancies and other defects that distinguish the interface from the bulk. Thus, oxide surfaces and interfaces can only be fully understood when examined at an atomic level. Yet, for the materials scientist, such understanding is of paramount importance since future technological advances require it.
This volume, the second in a new series from MRS, brings together researchers from around the world to address structure-property relationships in these important systems. Compared to the first proceedings, here one sees a shift towards less well defined materials that often more closely resemble reality and an increasing effort to study these phenomena using in situ techniques.
Of particular interest, claims MRS, are discussions on the dynamical evolution of surface structure and relationships between the structure of surfaces, their stoichiometry and the distribution of bulk dislocations, which in turn can control the growth and retraction of islands and pits. Such complex interplay between structure, chemistry and environment is, adds the publisher, clearly challenging.
Consequently, many papers tackle such problems by using a combination of both experiment and simulation. An elegant example is the use of density functional calculations to confirm and provide an interpretation of EELS data on an atomic layer intergrowth. Such synergy between theory and experiment is seen as underpinning a maturing approach to these most demanding of problems. Modelling and characterisation of thin intergranular films, with a focus on how these films influence the properties of so many ceramic materials, are also addressed.
The book (hardback) runs to 222 pages and contains 34 papers. It is available at a cost of US$90 (MRS Member), US$103 (USA non-member) or US$119 (non-USA).
www.mrs.org/books/
ENDS