Speaker
Description
The surface of biomolecules is composed of nano-domains characterized by varying hydrophobicity. The textbook understanding is that these domains contribute additively to interfacial properties. Yet, recent observations show limitations of this model.
Here, we use a combined experimental and simulation study to propose a generalized equation which includes terms that consider domain boundaries. To validate our theory, we fabricated model compounds differing solely in patchiness. Traditional understanding would be that these materials have the same wetting properties. Instead, we found considerable differences in work of adhesion and in the hydrogen-bonding network of the interfacial water. We also performed molecular dynamics simulations of water on patchy surfaces that allowed us to interpret our observations and develop our generalized model.