Structuring and behaviour of water in nanochannels and confined spaces

Abstract

The structure of bulk liquid water is dominated by its ability to form networks of directed hydrogen bonds. Although this is also true for water in confined spaces, there are additional conflicting consequences of the extensive surface and the fit within the available space. A relatively large proportion of water molecules in confined spaces occupy the interface and their interactions with the cavity surface may govern their ability to form hydrogen-bonded networks with each other. The physical properties and state of the contained water may vary widely from its bulk properties and show great dependence on the molecular characteristics of the cavity surface and the degree of confinement, as well as temperature and pressure. Apparently small changes in the surfaces or the confinement dimensions may bring about substantial changes in these properties. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.