Abstract
Recent advances in the studies of surfaces and interfaces are overviewed with use of analytical surface tools. This paper starts with pointing out the difference in the structure of solid surfaces from that of bulk structure, and some of the analytical instruments that detect surface properties are reviewed. Scanning probe microscopy is increasingly used in the studies of surfaces. The influence of electrostatic forces on non-contact atomic force microscopy also is discussed. Carbon nanotubes and carbon onions, as observed by high resolutions transmission electron microscopy are shown, both of which may lead to application of nanotechnology. Finally, the effect of adsorbed water on solid surfaces, an impediment to surface studies, is discussed.
