STRUCTURE AND REACTIVITY OF MINERAL SURFACES

Our investigation focuses on the study of the structural features and the reactivity of mineral surfaces with geochemical and environmental interest. Such an investigation is mainly carried out by conducting experiments in the fluid cell of an Atomic Force Microscope. The main topics of our interest are: - Mineral surfaces observed with atomic resolution in liquids. -          Molecular-scale crystal growth mechanisms. -          Mechanisms of epitaxial growth -          Effect of inorganic and organic impurities on crystal growth. -          Relationships between crystallisation kinetics and composition in solid solution- aqueous solution systems. -          Biomineralisation.