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Interface-Induced Concentration Enhancement in Glycine Solutions Investigated Using Surface Plasmon Resonance
Ruairidh Mackay1,2,3, Mozhdeh Mohammadpour2, Binoy Paulose Nadappuram3
1EPSRC Future Manufacturing Research Hub in Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation, Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1RD, U.K.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Molecular simulations and experiments reveal enhanced glycine concentration at solid-liquid interfaces. This nanoscale phenomenon, driven by van der Waals forces, impacts interfacial processes like catalysis and nucleation.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Surface Science
- Computational Chemistry
Background:
- Nanoscale heterogeneity at liquid-solution interfaces influences key processes.
- Understanding solute behavior at interfaces is crucial for catalysis and nucleation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate glycine concentration enhancement at solid-aqueous interfaces.
- To provide experimental evidence for nanoscale interfacial concentration effects.
Main Methods:
- Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to predict interfacial behavior.
- Surface Plasmon Spectroscopy (SPR) for experimental validation.
Main Results:
- MD simulations predicted a nanoscale region of enhanced glycine concentration at solid surfaces.
- SPR measurements confirmed this enhancement, showing excess interfacial mass density up to ~50 ng/cm².
- A ~1 nm layer with over double the glycine saturation concentration was observed on gold and polystyrene surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Van der Waals interactions are identified as the driving force for interfacial concentration enhancement.
- This effect is expected to be common in solutions, significantly impacting natural and industrial interfacial processes.
