hidrofilii

Hidrofilii, sometimes referred to in English as hydrophiles, are substances, surfaces, or organisms that interact readily with water due to polarity, ionic character, or hydrogen-bonding capacity. Hydrophilicity is the property opposite hydrophobicity and describes a tendency to dissolve in or be wetted by water.

In chemistry, hydrophilic molecules dissolve well in water and form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Examples include ions, sugars, many amino acids with polar side chains, and several drugs. In biology, hydrophilic components are common in aqueous environments: cell membranes have polar head groups that face water, cytosolic proteins often display hydrophilic surfaces, and extracellular matrices contain hydrophilic polymers that interact with water.

Measurement and applications: wetting properties are commonly assessed by contact angle measurements, where lower angles indicate higher hydrophilicity. Surface treatments such as oxidation, plasma exposure, or UV irradiation can increase hydrophilicity to improve biocompatibility, adhesion, or coating uniformity. In materials science, hydrophilic surfaces promote better wetting, while in pharmaceutics, a substance’s hydrophilicity influences solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability.

Variations and context: hydrophilicity is not absolute and can depend on environmental conditions, including pH, temperature, and the surrounding solvent. Amphiphilic molecules contain both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, enabling self-assembly in aqueous environments.