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Related Concept Videos

Van der Waals Interactions01:24

Van der Waals Interactions

Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.Polar molecules have a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end of the molecule,...
The Van der Waals Equation01:26

The Van der Waals Equation

The ideal gas law is based on two simplifying assumptions: first, that there are no intermolecular attractions between gas molecules, and second, that the volume occupied by the molecules themselves is negligible compared with the volume of the container. However, these assumptions don't hold up under all conditions - specifically, at high pressures and low temperatures, as gas tends to deviate from ideal gas behavior.The van der Waals equation is an enhanced version of the ideal gas law,...
Van der Waals Equation01:10

Van der Waals Equation

The ideal gas law is an approximation that works well at high temperatures and low pressures. The van der Waals equation of state (named after the Dutch physicist Johannes van der Waals, 1837−1923) improves it by considering two factors.
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
Real Gases: Effects of Intermolecular Forces and Molecular Volume Deriving Van der Waals Equation04:01

Real Gases: Effects of Intermolecular Forces and Molecular Volume Deriving Van der Waals Equation

Thus far, the ideal gas law, PV = nRT, has been applied to a variety of different types of problems, ranging from reaction stoichiometry and empirical and molecular formula problems to determining the density and molar mass of a gas. However, the behavior of a gas is often non-ideal, meaning that the observed relationships between its pressure, volume, and temperature are not accurately described by the gas laws.
Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties02:56

Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties

Intermolecular Forces03:13

Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Probing C84-embedded Si Substrate Using Scanning Probe Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics
13:58

Probing C84-embedded Si Substrate Using Scanning Probe Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics

Published on: September 28, 2016

Gas-Solid van der Waals Interaction Driving the Dynamic Evolution of Surface Nanostructures.

Changping Liu1,2, Heng Liang3, Jie Luo4

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, China.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|June 9, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Weak intermolecular forces, like van der Waals interactions, rapidly restructured gold nanoislands on a gold surface using water vapor. This discovery offers new ways to engineer nanostructures under mild conditions.

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Fabricating van der Waals Heterostructures with Precise Rotational Alignment
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Fabricating van der Waals Heterostructures with Precise Rotational Alignment

Published on: July 5, 2019

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Probing C84-embedded Si Substrate Using Scanning Probe Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics
13:58

Probing C84-embedded Si Substrate Using Scanning Probe Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics

Published on: September 28, 2016

Fabricating van der Waals Heterostructures with Precise Rotational Alignment
09:25

Fabricating van der Waals Heterostructures with Precise Rotational Alignment

Published on: July 5, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Surface science
  • Nanomaterials science
  • Physical chemistry

Background:

  • Weak intermolecular forces are crucial in various scientific fields but their impact on gas-solid interfaces is not well understood.
  • Understanding these forces is key to controlling phenomena at the nanoscale.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of weak intermolecular forces in the restructuring of metal nanostructures.
  • To provide atomic-level evidence for the influence of water vapor on gold nanoisland dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized in-situ experiments under millibar-range water vapor at room temperature.
  • Observed monolayer gold nanoislands on a gold(111) surface using advanced microscopy techniques.
  • Analyzed atomic restructuring processes like particle migration, coalescence, and Ostwald ripening.

Main Results:

  • Monolayer gold nanoislands on Au(111) exhibited rapid restructuring within seconds when exposed to water vapor.
  • Van der Waals interactions between water molecules and gold surface atoms were identified as the primary driving force.
  • Formation of transient water-adsorbed gold adatom complexes facilitated atomic detachment and migration.

Conclusions:

  • Weak physical interactions, specifically van der Waals forces, are sufficient to induce significant restructuring of metal nanostructures.
  • Water vapor can act as a catalyst for reshaping nanomaterials under mild, room-temperature conditions.
  • This research opens new avenues for engineering surface architectures and nanostructures with precise control.