Interfaces Research Group

The Interfaces Research Group (IRG) is a surface science research group at the Department of Condensed Matter, Applied Physics and Nanoscience at the Brazilian Center for Physics Research (CBPF), one of the institutes for basic and applied research of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI).

We mainly focus on surface and interface processes related to nanostructures, ultrathin films, and single crystals. We are interested in the chemical and structural characterization of metal oxide surfaces to unravel the interplay between chemical and physical characteristics and their functional properties, such as chemical reactivity, optical properties, and structure on the atomic scale.

We began our activities at CBPF in July 2013 and have been supported by several national and international funding agencies.

In our studies, electron spectroscopies and scanning probe microscopy are the most applied techniques. In short, we use Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy to “visualize” individual nanostructures, molecules, and atoms in combination with surface-sensitive spectroscopies such as XPS, UPS, and AES to obtain new insights on the chemical composition, phase segregation, and surface structure of several different materials.  These experimental tools are very powerful and are available in our group.

Do you want to become part of the team? Please get in touch with us!