Surface Science

The adsorption of molecules at solid-liquid interfaces is essential in applications such as adhesion, colloidal stabilisation, surface functionalisation, patterning, and tribology. While the properties of modified surfaces can be assessed under operating conditions, the underlying molecular-scale mechanisms can be difficult to determine. Nonetheless, it is important to understand how microscopic properties control macroscopic behaviour, so

The performance of Zn metal batteries is limited by the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which occurs at potentials similar to Zn plating. The HER contributes to losses in coulombic efficiency and causes passivation via local pH changes, resulting in by-product formation on the electrode surface. Understanding these processes is essential for controlling Zn morphology

Corrosion continues to be a major global challenge representing 3% of the GDP of industrialised nations. However, there are still many unanswered scientific and technical questions about the corrosion process and the corrosion products that iron forms. It is not clear which of the many iron oxides, hydroxide and oxyhydroxides form as a scale, particularly

Thin elastomeric gloves are protective equipment and essential in many occupations. Their value in the health and care sector was demonstrated during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Most thin gloves are made from aqueous polymer dispersions, often called a latex, using a dipping process. A hand-shaped mould is dipped into a saturated calcium nitrate solution, followed