Institutionen för fysikalisk kemi vid Åbo Akademi

Postal address:
Department of physical chemistry
Åbo Akademi University
Porthansgatan 3
FIN-20500 Åbo
Finland

Phone:
+358 2 215 4253 (Secretary, Ms. Christina Luojola)
Facsimile:
+358 2 233 0228

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SURFACES AND INTERFACES

Besides chemistry, structure and specially topography plays a key role regarding the surface functionality of matter. Typical phenomena strongly controlled by 3D topography are superhydrophobicity and -philicity.

Bio-functional thin films

The aim of studying the fundamental thermodynamic properties of floating organic lipid monolayers is to be able to apply them in molecular recognition. Tuning of the sensor surface composition and structure may be carried out at molecular level, enabling us to mimic the structure and functions of living cell membranes.

Nano- and micro-structured surfaces

We are currently carrying out intensive research in order to develop procedures for versatile identification and specification of 3D topography of e.g. sol-gel materials, metals and print substrates. Another field of interest for the team involves the ultrastructure of natural (e.g. wood, flax, cotton) fibres down to the smallest structural units (microfibrils, lignin grains). The goals are to e.g. enhance the understanding and control of processing of wood, study interfibre interactions and thereby e.g. influence paper properties. Here, nano-structuring and nanocoatings play a key role in introducing novel functionalities to these materials

Interfacial phenomena

The described systems and materials bring about a group of important interfacial phenomena that need to be understood in order to obtain end products with controlled and predictable properties. The phenomena of most interest currently for the team are

Wetting/dewetting & controlled fouling

Sensor-analyte (lipid-protein) interactions

Implant-tissue biocompatibility

Paper-coating-print compatibility

Reinforcement of components in composites

Probe microscopy & surface-chemical analysis

Ever since the first commercial atomic force microscope (AFM) instruments were available in the beginning of 1990s, our group has created strong expertise in applying different modes of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) in various fields of materials research, surface analysis and studies of interfacial phenomena. Equally important has been the integration of this technology with other surface analytical tools. The key issue is to analyse not solely topography, but to specify chemistrytopography interdependence. The utilized surface characterisation methods include

SPM

Profilometry

XPS (ESCA)

ToF-SIMS

Contact Angle Analysis

Intense collaboration with external characterisation facilities (e.g. Top Analytica Company) is crucial for a successful realisation of such demanding measurements.


		Åbo Akademi University
	Contact us Personnel Newcomers Good to know Research Education Instruments News & events Intranet Publications History Home page Contact us: Postal address: Department of physical chemistry Åbo Akademi University Porthansgatan 3 FIN-20500 Åbo Finland Phone: +358 2 215 4253 (Secretary, Ms. Christina Luojola) Facsimile: +358 2 233 0228 E-mail: fysikalisk.kemi@abo.fi Disclaimer Search in this site:	SURFACES AND INTERFACES Besides chemistry, structure and specially topography plays a key role regarding the surface functionality of matter. Typical phenomena strongly controlled by 3D topography are superhydrophobicity and -philicity. Bio-functional thin films The aim of studying the fundamental thermodynamic properties of floating organic lipid monolayers is to be able to apply them in molecular recognition. Tuning of the sensor surface composition and structure may be carried out at molecular level, enabling us to mimic the structure and functions of living cell membranes. Nano- and micro-structured surfaces We are currently carrying out intensive research in order to develop procedures for versatile identification and specification of 3D topography of e.g. sol-gel materials, metals and print substrates. Another field of interest for the team involves the ultrastructure of natural (e.g. wood, flax, cotton) fibres down to the smallest structural units (microfibrils, lignin grains). The goals are to e.g. enhance the understanding and control of processing of wood, study interfibre interactions and thereby e.g. influence paper properties. Here, nano-structuring and nanocoatings play a key role in introducing novel functionalities to these materials Interfacial phenomena The described systems and materials bring about a group of important interfacial phenomena that need to be understood in order to obtain end products with controlled and predictable properties. The phenomena of most interest currently for the team are Wetting/dewetting & controlled fouling Sensor-analyte (lipid-protein) interactions Implant-tissue biocompatibility Paper-coating-print compatibility Reinforcement of components in composites Probe microscopy & surface-chemical analysis Ever since the first commercial atomic force microscope (AFM) instruments were available in the beginning of 1990s, our group has created strong expertise in applying different modes of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) in various fields of materials research, surface analysis and studies of interfacial phenomena. Equally important has been the integration of this technology with other surface analytical tools. The key issue is to analyse not solely topography, but to specify chemistrytopography interdependence. The utilized surface characterisation methods include SPM Profilometry XPS (ESCA) ToF-SIMS Contact Angle Analysis Intense collaboration with external characterisation facilities (e.g. Top Analytica Company) is crucial for a successful realisation of such demanding measurements.
		Last updated August 7, 2009 by Matti Hotokka.