Dynamics of the fast component of nano-confined water under electric field

TL;DR

This study investigates how electric fields influence the rapid diffusion component of water confined in nano-sized pores, revealing that electric fields significantly enhance both slow and fast water molecule motions.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of electric field effects on the fast diffusion component of nano-confined water using quasielastic neutron scattering.

Findings

Electric field enhances fast diffusion of nano-confined water.

Both slow and fast water motions are affected by electric fields.

Diffusion behavior varies with temperature and electric field strength.

Abstract

We report the diffusion of water molecules confined in the pores of folded silica materials (FSM-12 with average pore diameter of $\sim$ 16 \AA), measured by means of quasielastic neutron scattering using the cold neutron chopper spectrometer (CNCS). The goal is to investigate the effect of electric field on the previously observed fast component of nano-confined water. The measurements were taken at temperatures between 220 K and 245 K, and at two electric field values, 0 kV/mm and 2 kV/mm. Similar to the recently observed electric field induced enhancement of the slow translational motion of confined water, there is a an equally important impact of the field on the faster diffusion.