Introduction to Surface Physical Chemistry

The remaining years of our ending millennium are characterized by a tempestuous devel­ opment of Surface Science, whose ultimate consequences are presently hard to foresee. While some of these consequenees are apparent to everybody (e. g. modern information eleetronies would hardly be possible without the progress in device fabrication whieh, in turn, has required profound knowledge of surface teehnology ) there are several other dis­ ciplines where the impact of surface physical chemistry may not be so obvious, but, nevertheless, has contributed much to the technological progress made in the past, and is expected to cause even more such benefit in the future. We only list here the c1assical syn­ thetic inorganic chemistry or the technical chemistry which have both greatly benefited from a more fundamental understanding of heterogeneously catalyzed (surface) pro­ cesses leading to, among others, improved industrial fabrication processes. (We selec­ tively mention the promising attempts to model the Fischer-Tropseh reaction or the ammonia synthesis reaction, remembering also the optimization of the hydrocarbon reforming proeess by developing appropriate bi metallic catalyst materials). Furthermore, materials science with its considerations of eorrosion, embrittlement, and fracture, as weIl as energy technology with its considerations of photovoltaics, hydrogen storage, or fuel cell development, must also be mentioned here. Many other important aspeets remain unmentioned, because of space limitations.