Scientific Sessions

Surface chemistry studies the physical and chemical phenomena occurring at interfaces, playing a crucial role in catalysis, materials science, and nanotechnology. The unique behavior of atoms and molecules at surfaces or interfaces, compared to the bulk, influences adsorption, reaction rates, wetting, and interfacial tension, which are critical in designing efficient catalysts and functional materials. Surface energy, surface charge, and chemical functional groups determine interactions between reactants and catalyst surfaces, influencing selectivity and activity in chemical processes.

Colloids—systems in which one phase is dispersed in another, such as emulsions, foams, and nanoparticles—exhibit distinctive surface and interfacial properties. Understanding colloidal stability, aggregation, zeta potential, and surface adsorption phenomena is essential for applications in drug delivery, food technology, environmental remediation, and nanocatalysis. Techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), electron microscopy, and surface spectroscopy allow detailed characterization of surface and colloidal properties. Overall, surface chemistry and colloid science provide the foundation for controlling reactions and interactions at interfaces, enabling the design of advanced materials and efficient catalytic systems.