At aqueous interfaces, the distribution and dynamics of adsorbates are modulated by the behavior of interfacial water. When the surface is hydrophobic, its hydration stores entropy via the ordering of interfacial water, which contributes to the Gibbs energy of solute binding. Increasing incorporation of non-polar organic linkers into an organosilica framework results in decreasing surface polarity and enhanced hydrophobic hydration manifested in lower surface water diffusivity. The hydrophobicity of the surface can be tuned to promote adsorption of phenol, and to alter the selectivity of its hydrogenation to cyclohexanone or cyclohexanol. Both activity and selectivity are kinetic phenomena which vary temperature and solvent.

Influence of surface hydrophobicity on water dynamics and interfacial kinetics

ACS Spring 2022

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