Role of solvation energy in starch adsorption on oxide surfaces

The effect of potassium and sodium cations on the adsorption of starch onto hematite and quartz was investigated. The role of these ions was analyzed in terms of their water structure-making or -breaking capabilities. In the presence of Na⁺, a structure maker, the polymer adsorption density did not change compared to the adsorption levels observed in distilled water. However, in the solutions of K⁺, a structure-breaking cation, the adsorption density of starch significantly increased. Assuming hydrogen bonding and chemical interaction to be the driving adsorption mechanism, it was proposed that the starch–oxide interactions can be envisioned as the competition between chemical interaction/hydrogen bonding and solvation energy:

K⁺ reduces solvation energy by disturbing interfacial water structure and thus increases the free energy of adsorption, allowing the polymer to more closely approach the oxide surfaces. In contrast, Na⁺ which is indifferent to solvation energy does not interfere with the free energy of adsorption.