title: The Goldilocks surface.
abstract: A minimum in the biological response to materials that is observed to occur within a narrow surface energy range is related to the properties of water at these biology-contacting surfaces. Wetting energetics are calculated using a published theory from which it is further estimated that water molecules bind to these special surfaces through a single hydrogen bond, leaving three other hydrogen bonds to interact with proximal water molecules. It is concluded that, at this Goldilocks Surface, the local chemical environment of surface-bound water is nearly identical to that experienced in bulk water; neither deprived of hydrogen bond opportunities, as it is in contact with a more hydrophobic surface, nor excessively hydrogen bonded to a more hydrophilic surface. A minimum in the biological response occurs because water vicinal (near) to the Goldilocks Surface is not chemically different than bulk water. A more precise definition of the relative terms hydrophobic and hydrophilic for use in biomaterials becomes evident from calculations: >1.3 kJ/mole-of-surface-sites is expended in wetting a hydrophilic surface whereas <1.3 kJ/mole-of-surface-sites is expended in wetting hydrophobic surfaces; hydrophilic surfaces wet with >1 hydrogen bond per water molecule whereas hydrophobic surfaces wet with <1 hydrogen bond per water molecule.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Materials Science and Engineering and Bioengineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. EAV3@PSU.EDU
authors.forename: Erwin A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Vogler
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008422:Materials Testing; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014867:Water