Towards an atomic-scale understanding of structure and reactivity of the dolomite(104) surface

• Applicant: Dr. Philipp Rahe
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 565823104

Carbonates are abundant minerals in the earth’s crust and involved in processes ranging from global earth climate control to biomineral formation. Among the family of carbonates is the mineral dolomite, CaMg[CO3]2, a material with a specific crystal ordering that so far defied laboratory synthesis under geological conditions. In addition, and as a further aspect defining the “dolomite problem”, the particular distribution of dolomite on earth over geological time scales is not well understood. This project will first study the structure of pristine dolomite(104) surfaces with non-contact atomic force microscopy using functionalised tips. From high-resolution imaging at low temperature, the pristine surface structure will be clarified and defect densities, local cation ordering, and chiral properties be mapped. Second, water adsorption is studied to investigate the surface reactivity. The third aspect in this project will be an investigation of chiral effects on molecular adsorption, in particular by studying the adsorption properties of amino acids on the dolomite(104) surface. The overall aim of this project is to understand the structure and reactivity of pristine dolomite(104) surfaces and to unravel the adsorption properties of water and chiral molecules.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Finland
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Adam Stuart Foster