Which property helps distinguish hydrophobic nanoparticles in a solution?

The distinguishing property of hydrophobic nanoparticles in a solution is that they tend to aggregate or precipitate. Hydrophobic nanoparticles have a natural aversion to water and other polar solvents, which leads to their tendency to clump together rather than disperse evenly. This aggregation occurs because the particles seek to minimize their exposure to the surrounding water molecules.

In a solution, hydrophobic particles will often form larger aggregates or even settle out of the solution as they seek to reduce their contact with the solvent. This behavior contrasts with hydrophilic nanoparticles, which can disperse uniformly in a liquid due to their interaction with water molecules.

The other properties listed do not accurately represent the behavior of hydrophobic nanoparticles. For instance, the ability to disperse evenly applies more to hydrophilic particles, conductivity is generally not a defining characteristic of hydrophobicity, and the attraction of moisture is indicative of hydrophilic behavior rather than hydrophobic.