Hybrid organic-inorganic materials and the rational design of their interfaces open up the access to a wide spectrum of functionalities not achievable with traditional concepts of materials science. This innovative class of materials has a major impact in many application domains such as optics, electronics, mechanics, energy storage and conversion, protective coatings, catalysis, sensing and nanomedicine. The properties of these materials do not only depend on the chemical structure, and the mutual interaction between their nano-scale building blocks, but are also strongly influenced by the interfaces they share. This handbook focuses on the most recent investigations concerning the design, control, and dynamics of hybrid organic-inorganic interfaces, covering: (i) characterization methods of interfaces, (ii) innovative computational approaches and simulation of interaction processes, (iii) in-situ studies of dynamic aspects controlling the formation of these interfaces, and (iv) the role of the interface for process optimization, devices, and applications in such areas as optics, electronics, energy and medicine.

The combination of supramolecular chemistry, inorganic solids, and nanotechnology has already led to significant advances in many areas such as sensing, controlled motion, and delivery. By making possible an unprecedented tunability of the properties of nanomaterials, these techniques open up whole new areas of application for future supramolecular concepts. The Supramolecular Chemistry of Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Materials gathers current knowledge on the subject and provides an overview of the present state and upcoming challenges in this rapidly growing, highly cross- or interdisciplinary research field. The book details how these designed materials can improve existing materials or generate novel functional features such as chemical amplification, cooperative binding and signal enhancement that are difficult or not at all achievable by classical organic supramolecular chemistry. It also discusses issues related to nanofabrication or nanotechnology such as the directed and controlled assembly or disassembly, biomimetic functions and strategies, and the gating and switching of surface functions or morphology.

This handbook brings together, under a single cover, all aspects of the chemistry, physics, and engineering of surfaces and interfaces of materials currently studied in academic and industrial research. It covers different experimental and theoretical aspects of surfaces and interfaces, their physical properties, and spectroscopic techniques that have been applied to a wide class of inorganic, organic, polymer, and biological materials. The diversified technological areas of surface science reflect the explosion of scientific information on surfaces and interfaces of materials and their spectroscopic characterization. The large volume of experimental data on chemistry, physics, and engineering aspects of materials surfaces and interfaces remains scattered in so many different periodicals, therefore this handbook compilation is needed.The information presented in this multivolume reference draws on two decades of pioneering research on the surfaces and interfaces of materials to offer a complete perspective on the topic. These five volumes-Surface and Interface Phenomena; Surface Characterization and Properties; Nanostructures, Micelles, and Colloids; Thin Films and Layers; Biointerfaces and Applications-provide multidisciplinary review chapters and summarize the current status of the field covering important scientific and technological developments made over past decades in surfaces and interfaces of materials and spectroscopic techniques with contributions from internationally recognized experts from all over the world. Fully cross-referenced, this book has clear, precise, and wide appeal as an essential reference source long due for the scientific community. The complete reference on the topic of surfaces and interfaces of materialsThe information presented in this multivolume reference draws on two decades of pioneering researchProvides multidisciplinary review chapters and summarizes the current status of the fieldCovers important scientific and technological developments made over past decades in surfaces and interfaces of materials and spectroscopic techniquesContributions from internationally recognized experts from all over the world