The subtle role of surfaces in ion stickiness

How ions stick to surfaces greatly influences vital processes in everything from water purifiers to batteries. For decades, scientists have debated the mechanics of such binding, or adsorption. Certain ions in water didn't adsorb to a surface as predicted. Now, scientists know why. By studying a graphene surface immersed in water, scientists showed that an interaction between the graphene and an ion drives the adsorption, unlike the case for the air/water interface.