METAL-OXIDE INTERFACES

Present knowledge on metal-oxide interfaces is reviewed, emphasizing fundamental properties and behaviour. Methods have become available to fabricate 'ideal' metal-oxide interfaces with precisely controlled chemistry, special crystallography and high structural perfection. Recent experimental investigations of such model systems have advanced the understanding of adhesion, structure, mechanical behaviour and diffusion reactions at metal-oxide interfaces. In parallel, physical theories and powerful methods of computer modelling have been pushed forward to predict and to interpret the experimental observations. As an important development, recent work increasingly explores the correlation between microscopic properties of metal-oxide interfaces and their technically important macroscopic behaviour.