Surfaces and interfaces play a crucial role in chemical and physical phenomena, such as heterogeneous catalysis and reactions. At the surface or interface of water, the hydrogen-bonded network is abruptly interrupted, giving rise to fascinating interfacial properties. These specific properties are the driving forces for many biochemical, environmental and geochemical processes. Here, I will discuss our recent work probing interfacial molecules of two relevant aqueous interfaces: the surface behavior of perfluorinated pollutants and adsorption of small organic molecules on ice surfaces, utilizing surface-specific sum frequency generation spectroscopy. These molecular-level insights can inform the rational design of remediation technologies as well as knowledge of the fate and transport of environmental pollutants.
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