The Interface Spectroscopy Group
The interface spectroscopy group was established at the MPIE in November 2007.
Coupling optical spectroscopy and electrochemical methods, we want to address questions about structure, kinetics, and dynamics at organic/inorganic and liquid/solid interfaces. Further interest is on targeted, chemical modification of interfaces.
In the method development part of our work, we would like to increase the transparency of metal electrodes in the infrared spectral range. Furthermore, we want to design and manufacture a surface that gives rise to well-defined "hot spots" on a surface with infrared surface enhancement for surface-enhanced infrared spectroscopy. We use highly sensitive reflection spectroscopy to trace intermediates in the oxygen reduction reaction.
The surface chemistry side of our work centres around the generation of ultrathin polymer films, surface crystallisation, especially in the formation of conversion coatings, and self-assembly.
Many of our projects work in close collaboration with Solvation Science@ RUB at Ruhr University Bochum: www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/solvation/
Starting from 1 October 2012, our group is part of the Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) "Somatai" (Soft Matter as aqueous interfaces). www.somatai.eu
Our group collaborates within the DFG Priority Programme "Joining by Forming" (SPP1640 Fügen durch Plastische Deformation) www.spp1640.tu-darmstadt.de
Students or postdocs with an interest in surface chemistry, optical spectroscopy, ellipsometry, or numerical modeling of electromagnetic problems are always invited to apply at our lab emailing us at erbe(at)mpie.de.
The interface spectroscopy group with guests, July 2012.
