Research topics

Solvation at Interfaces

Heterodyne-detected electronic sum frequency generation (HD-ESFG) is applied to the investigation of solvation at interfaces. It is found that each solvatochromic probe molecule feels a different effective polarity at the air/water interface, depending on its orientation at the interface. It is also found that the air/water interface provides a more inhomogeneous solvation environment than do bulk solvents.