Vibrational Dynamics and Guest–Host Coupling in Clathrate Hydrates

Abstract

Clathrate hydrates may turn out either a blessing or a curse for mankind. On one hand, they constitute a huge reservoir of fossil fuel. On the other hand, their decomposition may liberate large amounts of green house gas and have disastrous consequences on sea floor stability. It is thus of paramount importance to understand the formation and stability of these guest-host compounds. Neutron diffraction has successfully occupied a prominent place on the stage of these scientific investigations. Complete understanding, however, is not achieved without an explanation for the thermal properties of clathrates. In particular, the thermal conductivity has a large influence on clathrate formation and conservation. Neutron spectroscopy allows probing the microscopic dynamics of clathrate hydrates. We will show how comparative studies of vibrations in clathrate hydrates give insight into the coupling of the guest to the host lattice. This coupling together with the anharmonicity of the vibrational modes is shown to lay the foundations for the peculiar thermodynamic properties of clathrate hydrates. The results obtained reach far beyond the specific clathrate system. Similar mechanisms are expected to be at work in any guest-host complex.