Issue 43, 2020

Molecular recognition at the air–water interface: nanoarchitectonic design and physicochemical understanding

Abstract

Although molecular recognition at the air–water interface has been researched for over 30 years, investigations on its fundamental aspects are still active research targets in current science. In this perspective article, developments and future possibilities of molecular recognition at the air–water interface from pioneering research efforts to current examples are overviewed especially from the physico-chemical viewpoints. Significant enhancements of binding constants for molecular recognition are actually observed at the air–water interface although molecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding are usually suppressed in aqueous media. Recent advanced analytical strategies for direct characterization of interfacial molecules also confirmed the promoted formation of hydrogen bonding at the air–water interfaces. Traditional quantum chemical approaches indicate that modulation of electronic distributions through effects from low-dielectric phases would be the origin of enhanced molecular interactions at the air–water interface. Further theoretical considerations suggest that unusual potential changes for enhanced molecular interactions are available only within a limited range from the interface. These results would be related with molecular recognition in biomolecular systems that is similarly supported by promoted molecular interactions in interfacial environments such as cell membranes, surfaces of protein interiors, and macromolecular interfaces.

Graphical abstract: Molecular recognition at the air–water interface: nanoarchitectonic design and physicochemical understanding

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
17 ذو الحجة 1441
Accepted
11 صفر 1442
First published
11 صفر 1442

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020,22, 24856-24869

Molecular recognition at the air–water interface: nanoarchitectonic design and physicochemical understanding

K. Ariga, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020, 22, 24856 DOI: 10.1039/D0CP04174B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements