How surface chemistry affects material properties

All physical or chemical processes require appropriate intermolecular or interatomic interactions. In addition to the structure of the material used, the respective chemical properties of the surface also play here a significant role. Surface chemistry is an intriguing interdisciplinary field of study, with a focus on the examination of chemical processes that predominantly occur on the surface of solids. It involves the study of phenomena such as adsorption, migration, assembly, activation, reaction, and desorption of atoms and molecules on surfaces. In the context of bulk crystalline materials, atoms or molecules are arranged in a three-dimensional periodic table, thereby exhibiting similar properties. However, when these substances are positioned on the surface, the periodicity in the vertical direction is interrupted, which consequently leads to the manifestation of remarkable electronic, magnetic, optical, and chemical properties due to changes in the chemical environment. This phenomenon results in wide-ranging applications in the fields of materials, chemistry, physics, energy, etc. The central objective in this field is to comprehend the structures and properties of the surface of solids, and to ascertain the fundamental principles that govern the physical and chemical changes occurring on them. Surface chemistry is an interdisciplinary field that draws upon knowledge from various disciplines, including chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, materials science and engineering. It serves as a crucial conduit between the core disciplines and the various areas of application. Surface chemistry has a pivotal role and exerts a substantial impact on materials science, catalysis, energy, and other. Over the past century, surface chemistry has undergone rapid development and achieved significant advances, with at least two Nobel prices: I. Langmuir, being awarded the in Chemistry in 1932 for his pioneering contributions to the proposal and study of surface chemistry. Also, G. Ertl, was awarded in Chemistry in 2007 for his groundbreaking research in solid surface chemistry. However, this field also harbours significant drawbacks, including the toxic nature of nanoplastics, which can arise from changes in surface chemistry due to an increase in hydrophilicity as a consequence of rise in surface acidity. Recent findings suggest that environmentally relevant nanoplastics are toxic even at very low concentrations, by increasing the proportion of the polar layer of nanoparticles formed during oxidation processes. In light of the pressing need for comprehensive research on nanoplastics, we have established a correlation between in vitro human cell toxicity and in vivo effects on a highly resistant organism, such as the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana), with the physicochemical properties of PE nanoplastics. It is our hope that the results presented herein will address the knowledge gap and facilitate further research on the effects of nanoplastics on animals and humans.