Grenzflächenschichten

Grenzflächenschichten, also known as interfacial layers or interphases, are thin regions that form at the boundary between two distinct phases. These phases can be solid-solid, solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, or solid-gas. The formation and properties of these layers are crucial in understanding many physical and chemical phenomena, including adhesion, corrosion, catalysis, and material processing.

The characteristics of a Grenzflächenschicht are a consequence of the interactions between the atoms or molecules of the two adjacent phases. At the interface, the bonding environments of the constituent particles differ from those within the bulk of each phase, leading to unique chemical and physical properties. This can result in changes in composition, structure, and even thermodynamic stability compared to the parent phases.

For example, in composite materials, the Grenzflächenschicht between the matrix and the reinforcement plays a vital role in load transfer and overall mechanical performance. In electrochemistry, the electrical double layer formed at the electrode-electrolyte interface governs reaction rates. Understanding and controlling the properties of these interlayers is a key objective in materials science and engineering.