Is there a liquid-liquid phase transition in supercooled water ?

TL;DR

This paper investigates the possibility of a liquid-liquid phase transition in supercooled water, supported by neutron diffraction data and a two-level model, aligning with recent simulation results.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence and interpretation suggesting a liquid-liquid phase transition in supercooled water, linking structural limits to amorphous ice forms.

Findings

Evidence of a liquid-liquid phase transition in supercooled water

Correlation between structural limits and amorphous ice forms

Agreement with recent computer simulation results

Abstract

Previous studies of the structure of liquid water under pressure performed by neutron diffraction, allowed us to establish two structural limits in liquid water. These two limits are closely connected to the two known forms of amorphous ice : the low density amorphous ice (LDA) and the high density amorphous ice (HDA). In the present paper, we propose some interpretation of our data in terms of a two level type model of water. This leads to show some evidence of a liquid-liquid phase transition in liquid supercooled water. The result looks in agreement with recent computer simulations that incorporate the two forms of amorphous ice.