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Title: Electric Field Effects on the Intermolecular Interactions in Water Whiskers: Insight from Structures, Energetics, and Properties

Journal Article · · Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp511460c· OSTI ID:1265297
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [3]
  1. Jilin Univ., Changchun (China)
  2. South China Normal University, Guangzhou (China)
  3. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Modulation of intermolecular interactions in response to external electric fields could be fundamental to the formation of unusual forms of water, such as water whiskers. However, a detailed understanding of the nature of intermolecular interactions in such systems is lacking. In this study, we present novel theoretical results based on electron correlation calculations regarding the nature of H-bonds in water whiskers, which is revealed by studying their evolution under external electric fields with various field strengths. We find that the water whiskers consisting of 2-7 water molecules all have a chain-length dependent critical electric field. Under the critical electric field, the most compact chain structures are obtained, featuring very strong H-bonds, herein referred to as covalent H-bonds. In the case of a water dimer whisker, the bond length of the novel covalent H-bond shortens by 25%, the covalent bond order increases by 9 times, and accordingly the H-bond energy is strengthened by 5 times compared to the normal H-bond in a (H2O)2 cluster. Below the critical electric field, it is observed that with increasing field strength, H-bonding orbitals display gradual evolutions in the orbital energy, orbital ordering, and orbital nature (i.e., from typical -style orbital to unusual -style double H-bonding orbital). We also show that beyond the critical electric field, a single water whisker may disintegrate to form a loosely bound zwitterionic chain due to a relay-style proton transfer, whereas two water whiskers may undergo intermolecular cross-linking to form a quasi-two-dimensional water network. In conclusion, these results help shed new insight on the effects of electric fields on water whisker formation.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1265297
Journal Information:
Journal of Physical Chemistry. A, Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment, and General Theory, Vol. 119, Issue 10; ISSN 1089-5639
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 15 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

Energetic aminated-azole assemblies from intramolecular and intermolecular N–H⋯O and N–H⋯N hydrogen bonds journal January 2016
One-dimensional water nanowires induced by electric fields journal January 2019
Some measures for making a traditional halogen bond be chlorine-shared or ion-pair one in FCl•NH 3 complex journal November 2016
Some measures for making a traditional halogen bond be chlorine-shared or ion-pair one in FCl•NH3 complex text January 2016
Some measures for making a traditional halogen bond be chlorine-shared or ion-pair one in FCl•NH3 complex text January 2016

Figures / Tables (10)


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