surrace

Surrace is a theoretical term used to describe the boundary region between a material's surface and its surrounding environment. It denotes a composite layer comprising the topmost atomic strata, adsorbed species, oxide or protective films, and the nearby electromagnetic and chemical fields that influence surface behavior. The surrace governs interactions such as chemical reactivity, wettability, adhesion, catalysis, and corrosion resistance by integrating the properties of the solid and its surroundings.

Etymology and usage: The word is a portmanteau of surface and interface; its adoption is not uniform and appears mainly in speculative or interdisciplinary discussions. In established literature, related concepts are typically described using terms like surface layer, interfacial region, or boundary layer.

Characteristics and modeling: The surrace is treated as a distinct but transitional region whose effective properties may differ from the bulk material. Its thickness is not fixed and may be defined by the length scale of interest (from a few nanometers to tens of nanometers). Models may assign gradient properties for composition, charge density, and energy to capture variable interactions across the boundary.

Applications: In materials science and nanotechnology, the surrace framework informs analyses of catalysis, corrosion, sensors, coatings, and device contacts. For example, catalytic activity often arises from the surrace composition and adsorbate layer, while passivation of metals depends on the protective features of the surrace.

See also: Surface, Interface, Boundary layer, Adsorption, Passivation.