Surface wetting can be efficiently tuned by ionic functionalization. Using Molecular Dynamic simulations, we investigate wetting regimes at the nanoscale on molecular-brush coated graphane surfaces. We control hydrophilicity by covering the surface with a mixture of covalently bonded alkyl chains and sporadic ionic groups at varied densities, surface patterns, and electrolyte concentration in the solution. We present a comparison with the effect of uniform electrode charge, advantageous for transient control of pore hydrophilicity, and solution phase behavior inside an apolar confinement. Our findings provide guidance for the design of ionically nanopatterned materials with tailored hydrophilicity at preserved material structure and minimal chemical modification.

Wetting of ionic-functionalized surfaces

248th National Meeting (2014)

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