How Water Meets a Hydrophobic Surface

Adelé Poynor, Liang Hong, Ian K. Robinson, Steve Granick, Zhan Zhang, and Paul A. Fenter
Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 266101 – Published 27 December 2006

Abstract

Synchrotron x-ray reflectivity measurements of the interface between water and methyl-terminated octadecylsilane monolayers with stable contact angle >100° conclusively show a depletion layer, whether or not the water is degassed. The thickness is of order one water molecule: 2–4 Å with electron density <40% that of bulk water. Considerations of coherent and incoherent averaging of lateral inhomogeneities show that the data cannot be explained by “nanobubbles.” When the contact angle is lower, unstable in time, or when monolayers fail to be sufficiently smooth over the footprint of the x-ray beam, there is no recognizable depletion.

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  • Received 12 July 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.266101

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Adelé Poynor, Liang Hong, Ian K. Robinson, and Steve Granick

  • Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA

Zhan Zhang and Paul A. Fenter

  • Chemistry Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA

Comments & Replies

Comment on “How Water Meets a Hydrophobic Surface”

Benjamin M. Ocko, Ali Dhinojwala, and Jean Daillant
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 039601 (2008)

Poynor et al. Reply:

Adelé Poynor, Liang Hong, Ian K. Robinson, Steve Granick, Paul A. Fenter, and Zhan Zhang
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 039602 (2008)

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Issue

Vol. 97, Iss. 26 — 31 December 2006

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