Since PTFE has flouride atoms on it backbone, therefore due to the electronegativity of floruride atoms, it should interact with water molecules by forming hydrogen bonds making it hydrophilic, but it is known to be hydrophobic.
Hi Anvesh,
As you know in a solid like PTFE the hydrophobicity is governed by both the chemical composition and geometrical structure of the surface and is closely related to its micro/nanostructures. It is right that PTFE has fluoride atoms with high electronegativity , but due to this high Electronegativity they are on a severe inter molecular bond with carbon (folurocarbon). In other words it is not thermodynamically possibly for the atoms to react.
Please also consider the size of the polymer orbital formed and the number of electrons in the polymer orbital which add to the complexity.
I hope it will help
Hi Anvesh,
As you know in a solid like PTFE the hydrophobicity is governed by both the chemical composition and geometrical structure of the surface and is closely related to its micro/nanostructures. It is right that PTFE has fluoride atoms with high electronegativity , but due to this high Electronegativity they are on a severe inter molecular bond with carbon (folurocarbon). In other words it is not thermodynamically possibly for the atoms to react.
Please also consider the size of the polymer orbital formed and the number of electrons in the polymer orbital which add to the complexity.
I hope it will help
One will think like that, but they may be already have strong interactions with carbon chain and forms highly compact structure with highly rough surfaces. Rough surface and surface energy are also one of the factors that influence Hydrophobicity. That can be measured with AFM.
Dear Anvesh
I suggest you consider CF4, C-F bond is polar band so CF4 must be hydrophillic properties, but it has hydrophobic properties because we muste be consider the molecular structure, the structure of CF4 is pyramidal and therefore dipole moment of this malecule is zero. dipole moment of molecule determine the hydrophillicity of molecules in water. PETF has a very low dipole moment and therefore it has hydrophobic properties.
The CF4 is the non-polar molecule with London-dispersion forces. They have a very electronegative atom (fluorine). This is why I thought they were hydrophobic in nature.
As per my knowledge the contact angle may be the reason..If greater than 90 degree it is hydrophobic...
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