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Interactions at Aqueous Mineral Interfaces: Insights from Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy
Tobias Dickbreder1, Ellen H G Backus1
1Faculty of Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; email: tobias.dickbreder@univie.ac.at, ellen.backus@univie.ac.at.
Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|January 29, 2026
Summary
Understanding mineral-water interfaces is crucial for technological and environmental processes. Combining nonlinear optical spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) offers new insights into charged and neutral mineral-water interfaces.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Surface Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Technological and environmental processes often occur at mineral-water interfaces.
- Surface charge on minerals influences interfacial water structure and ion interactions.
- Understanding these interfaces is essential for various scientific and industrial applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the combined use of nonlinear optical spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for investigating mineral-water interfaces.
- To highlight the capabilities of these techniques in characterizing interfacial properties.
- To advance the fundamental understanding of aqueous mineral interfaces.
Main Methods:
- Nonlinear optical spectroscopy provides information on water orientation and dynamics.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) resolves interfacial water density and forces.
- Synergistic application of these techniques for comprehensive interface analysis.
Main Results:
- Nonlinear optical spectroscopy and AFM offer complementary insights into interfacial phenomena.
- These methods enable the study of both neutral and charged mineral-water interfaces.
- Detailed characterization of water structure and ion behavior at interfaces is achievable.
Conclusions:
- The combination of nonlinear optical spectroscopy and AFM is a powerful strategy for studying mineral-water interfaces.
- This approach enhances our fundamental understanding of interfacial processes.
- Further research utilizing these techniques will deepen knowledge of aqueous mineral systems.
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