Toward Distinguishing between the Superchaotropic and Hydrophobic Characters of Nanometric-Sized Ions in Interaction with PEGylated Surfaces

Abstract

In this study, we explore the superchaotropic effect of various polyoxometalate or boron cluster nano-ions on hydrophilic neutral surfaces. Nano-ions, characterized by low charge densities, exhibit strong adsorption on non-ionic hydrophilic surfaces like PEGylated micelles. This adsorption phenomenon was attributed to the enthalpically favorable dehydration of nano-ions, the so-called superchaotropic effect. Here, we investigate the adsorption of three nano-ions, α-SiW 12 O 40 4− , α-PW 12 O 40 3− , and B 12 I 12 2−