difference between hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances

Difference between Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Substances

Have you ever wondered why paper absorbs water and plastic repels it? The former is a hydrophilic substance and the latter is hydrophobic. Buzzle explains the concept of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, and compares both to analyze the differences between them. Take a look.

There are almost countless examples of each. As said previously, a bucket made up of plastic is hydrophobic, similarly oils, greasy substances, wax, fats, leaves of plants, etc are listed under hydrophobic surfaces. The leaf of the lotus plant has superhydrophobic properties; it is a water-dwelling plant and possesses a naturally occurring, wax-like superhydrophobic surface which protects the plant from getting waterlogged. Examples for hydrophilic substances include, detergents, alcohols, salts, cotton, and the like. Superhydrophilicity has been applied in several ways; for instance, it is used to defog or self clean glass, or easily clean oil spots.

Похожие статьи