Importance of nuclear quantum effects on the structure of supercooled water around its liquid--liquid critical point

TL;DR

Nuclear quantum effects significantly influence the structural properties of supercooled water near its liquid-liquid critical point, affecting interpretations of phase transition signatures.

Contribution

This study compares classical and quantum simulations, revealing how nuclear quantum effects alter supercooled water's structure and phase transition indicators.

Findings

NQE broaden pair correlations in supercooled water.

NQE reduce tetrahedral order in the hydration shell.

NQE cause smoother pressure dependence of density.

Abstract

Supercooled water is expected to exhibit a liquid--liquid phase transition between low- and high-density liquid states, possibly terminating in a liquid--liquid critical point in the experimentally difficult no man's land. Because the hydrogen atoms are light, nuclear quantum effects (NQE) may alter the structural signatures used to identify this transition. Here, we compare classical molecular dynamics and path-integral molecular dynamics simulations of a flexible q-TIP4P/F-like water model in the deeply supercooled regime. The classical simulations show a pronounced density change at 180 K between 180 and 220 MPa, whereas the path-integral simulations exhibit a smoother pressure dependence. Radial distribution functions and bond-order parameters show that NQE broaden pair correlations, reduce the tetrahedral order of the first hydration shell, and slightly increase the Steinhardt $Q_6$ parameter. These results demonstrate that NQE modify both low- and high-density liquid structures and therefore need to be included when interpreting structural signatures of the liquid--liquid transition in supercooled water.