Water in contact with extended hydrophobic surfaces: direct evidence of weak dewetting

Phys Rev Lett. 2003 Feb 28;90(8):086101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.086101. Epub 2003 Feb 27.

Abstract

X-ray reflectivity measurements reveal a significant dewetting of a large hydrophobic paraffin surface floating on water. The dewetting phenomenon extends less than 15 A into the bulk water phase and results in an integrated density deficit of about one water molecule per 25-30 A(2) of water in contact with the paraffin surface. The results are supported by molecular dynamics simulations and related to the hydrophobic effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions*
  • Paraffin / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Surface Properties
  • Water / chemistry*
  • Wettability
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Water
  • Paraffin