Elementary Mechanisms in the Interaction of Organic Molecules with Mineral Surfaces

Abstract

Model systems are used to reproduce the actual situations encountered during the interaction of organic molecules with mineral solids under controlled experimental conditions. The role of local electrical fields produced by surface heterogeneities and the influence of the electronic properties of the functional groups of the organic molecule and of the surface are demonstrated and discussed. This study enables modelling of the basic mechanisms in the organic molecule-mineral solid bond and of the polymerization process of the organic film. The results given here may be used to produce theoretical models of predictive nature in the field of adhesion and structural bonding.