CRC Summer School 2015
Strategies for the Synthesis and the Characterization of Metal Oxides
Metal oxides are a fascinating class of materials, whose properties span the entire range from metals to semiconductors and insulators. The surfaces of metal oxides are of great technological importance and play a crucial role, e.g., in catalysis. However, metal oxides may occur in various morphologies, such as molecular clusters, larger nanoparticles, or extended surfaces. This summer school, which is an initiative of the junior researchers of the Collaborative Research Center 1109 “Understanding of Metal Oxide/Water Systems at the Molecular Scale: Structural Evolution, Interfaces, and Dissolution” attempts to bring together experts in the synthesis of metal oxides as well as experts in the analytical, e.g., spectroscopic characterisation techniques. The drastic increase in computing power within the last decades and the development of efficient and accurate methods also allows for theoretical simulations on real materials, as e.g. metal oxide surfaces. These simulations serve as tools to gain insight into relevant atomic-level processes. Thus, we are convinced that this opportunity to learn about the various experimental as well as theoretical aspects on metal oxides is timely and hope to initiate a fruitful basis for a promising future research on this important class of materials.