Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2012-03-30
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
24 pages, 9 figures
Scientific paper
The non-wetting phenomena of water on certain solid surfaces have been under intensive study for decades, but the nature of hydrophobic/water interfaces remains controversial. Here a water/graphite interface is investigated with high-sensitivity atomic force microscopy. We show evidence of nucleation and growth of an epitaxial monolayer on the graphite surface, probably caused by adsorption of nitrogen molecules dissolved in water. The subsequent adsorption process resembles the layer-plus-island, or Stranski-Krastanov, growth mode in heteroepitaxy. This finding underlines the importance of gas segregation at various water interfaces and may unravel many puzzles, especially the nature and the high stability of so-called nanobubbles at solid/water interfaces and in bulk water. Based on the hydrophobic effect, we propose that gas molecules dissolved in water may aggregate into clusters in bulk water as well as at solid/water interfaces. As a cluster grows above a critical size, it undergoes a transition into a gas bubble, which can explain formation or nucleation of gas bubbles in water.
Hwang Ing-Shouh
Lu Yi-Hsien
Yang Chih-Wen
No associations
LandOfFree
Evidence of Epitaxial Growth of Molecular Layers of Dissolved Gas at a Hydrophobic/Water Interface does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Evidence of Epitaxial Growth of Molecular Layers of Dissolved Gas at a Hydrophobic/Water Interface, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence of Epitaxial Growth of Molecular Layers of Dissolved Gas at a Hydrophobic/Water Interface will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-63801