Atomic Bonding at Oxide Surfaces

The fundamental interactions involved in the bonding of atoms and molecules to metal oxides are discussed. Surface defects play a major role in many of those interactions. Both acid/base and oxidation/reduction reactions occur at metal-oxide surfaces, with the latter dominating at point defect sites. The reaction of metals with oxide surfaces is governed largely by the relative heats of formation of the respective oxides, although surface point defects also play an important role. Preliminary studies of ceramic/ceramic interfaces indicate that interfacial interactions are much weaker than for metal/ceramic interfaces.