articlePhysical Review LettersJan 7, 2026Closed access

Spectral Similarity Masks Structural Diversity at Hydrophobic Water Interfaces

YWYong WangYQY. Q. LiLDLinhan DuCZChunyi ZhangLALorenzo Agosta

Princeton University · Tsinghua University · +4 more institutions

PubMed
Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

The air-water and graphene-water interfaces represent quintessential examples of the liquid-gas and liquid-solid boundaries, respectively. While the sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectra of these interfaces show similarities, a consensus on their signals and interpretations has yet to be reached. Leveraging deep learning, we computed first-principles SFG spectra for both systems, addressing experimental discrepancies. Our findings reveal that similarities in SFG signals do not translate into comparable interfacial microscopic properties. Instead, graphene-water and air-water interfaces exhibit fundamental differences in SFG-active thicknesses, hydrogen-bonding networks, and surface dynamics. These…

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Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Spectral line
  • Similarity (geometry)
  • Interface (matter)
  • Surface finish
  • Surface roughness
  • Surface (topology)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Clean water and sanitation
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