Heterogeneous Chemistry of Liquid-Vapor Interfaces Investigated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Aqueous solution-vapor interfaces govern important phenomena in the environment and atmosphere, including the uptake and release of trace gases by aerosols and CO₂ sequestration by the oceans.  A detailed understanding of these processes requires the investigation of liquid-vapor interfaces with chemical sensitivity and interface specificity. [1]  This talk will discuss opportunities and challenges for investigations of liquid-vapor interfaces using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and describe recent experiments that have focused on the complex network of cooperative interactions between surfactants and ions, which critically influence, e.g., the propensity of ions for the interface.[2] We will discuss the utilization of photoelectron angular distributions for the investigation of the depth of solvation of surfactants at the interface. [3-5] We conclude with an outlook on the opportunities and challenges for the measurement of heterogeneous reactions at the solution-vapor interface using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under realistic environmental conditions.[6]