Frontier interfacial water properties characterization and applications

Abstract

Interfacial water is a unique form of water existing at the phase boundary. Due to its distinctive physical and chemical properties, it is significantly different from the ordinary bulk water and plays a crucial role in various scientific and technological fields. A deep understanding of interfacial water is expected to bring revolutionary applications in fields ranging from energy conversion to bionic intelligence. In this review, we start with clarification of the fundamental differences between interfacial water and bulk water, and comprehensively examine the structures, electrical properties, and hydrodynamics of interfacial water. Then, the principles and functions of advanced characterization techniques in revealing the moleculer-scale behavior of interfacial water are discussed. Experimental and computational advances in interfacial water research are reviewed to elucidate the key role of interfacial water in catalysis, energy storage, biological processes, and hydropower technologies, with the interaction between mechanistic insights and practical breakthroughs being emphasized. We further outline the prospects for advancing basic science and transformative applications, positioning interfacial water research as the cornerstone of the next generation of innovation.