hydrophobite

Hydrophobite is a term used to describe a substance that repels water. This characteristic is also known as hydrophobicity. Hydrophobic materials do not readily mix with water or dissolve in it. Instead, water molecules tend to bead up on the surface of a hydrophobite. This phenomenon is due to the nature of the chemical bonds within the substance. Hydrophobic molecules are typically nonpolar, meaning they have an even distribution of electrical charge. Water, on the other hand, is a polar molecule, with a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom. The electrostatic attraction between polar water molecules is much stronger than any attraction they might have to nonpolar hydrophobic molecules. Consequently, water molecules prefer to associate with each other, pushing away the hydrophobic substances. Examples of hydrophobites include many oils, fats, waxes, and certain plastics. This property is utilized in various applications, such as waterproof coatings for fabrics, self-cleaning surfaces, and in the design of containers for storing liquids that should not mix with water. The term hydrophobite is often used in contrast to hydrophile, which describes substances that attract water.