The impact of molecular rotation on a peculiar isotope effect on water hydrogen bonds
Tuesday, December 3, 2019 - 10:30
in Physics & Chemistry
The quantum nature of hydrogen bonds in water manifests itself in peculiar physicochemical isotope effects: While deuteration often elongates and weakens hydrogen bonds of typical hydrogen-bonded systems composed of bulky constituent molecules, it elongates but strengthens hydrogen bonds of water molecular aggregates. The origin of this unique isotope effect of water molecules remains to be elucidated at the molecular level. A recent experimental study on the sublimation of isotope-mixed water ice has tackled this issue.