Strong anisotropic dynamics of ultra-confined water

Dynamics of water confined in ∼5 Å diameter channels of beryl and cordierite single crystals were studied by using inelastic (INS) and quasielastic (QENS) neutron scattering. The INS spectra for both samples were similar and showed that there are no hydrogen bonds acting on water molecule, which experiences strong anisotropic potential, steep along the channels and very soft perpendicular to it. The high-resolution (3.4 μeV) QENS data revealed gradual freezing out of the water molecule dynamics for both minerals at temperatures below about 80 K when the scattering momentum transfer was parallel to the channels, but not when it was perpendicular to the channels. The QENS study with medium energy resolution (0.25 meV) of the beryl with the scattering momentum transfer along the channels showed gradual freezing out of water molecule dynamics at temperatures below about 200 K, whereas at higher temperatures the data could be described as 2-fold rotational jumps about the axis coinciding with the direction of the dipole moment (that is, perpendicular to the channels), with a residence time of 5.5 ps at 225 K. The energy resolution dependence of the apparent dynamics freezing temperature suggests gradual slowing down of the rotational jumps as the temperature is decreased, until the associated QENS broadening can no longer be detected, rather than actual freezing.