Experimental observation of nanophase segregation of aqueous salt solutions around the predicted liquid-liquid transition in water

Lane, P. D., Reichenbach, J., Farrell, A. J., Ramakers, L. A.I., Adamczyk, K., Hunt, N. T. and Wynne, K. (2020) Experimental observation of nanophase segregation of aqueous salt solutions around the predicted liquid-liquid transition in water. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 17, 9438. (doi: 10.1039/C9CP06082K) (PMID:32314750)

Abstract

The liquid-liquid transition in supercooled liquid water, predicted to occur around 220 K, is controversial due to the difficulty of studying it caused by competition from ice crystallization (the so-called “no man’s land”). In aqueous solutions, it has been predicted to give rise to phase separation on a nanometer scale between a solute-rich high-density phase and a water-rich low-density phase. Here we report direct experimental evidence for the formation of a nanosegregated phase in eutectic aqueous solutions of LiCl and LiSCN where the presence of crystalline water can be experimentally excluded. Femtosecond infrared and Raman spectroscopies are used to determine the temperature-dependent structuring of water, the solvation of the SCN- anion, and the size of the phase segregated domains.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wynne, Professor Klaas and Reichenbach, Miss Judith and Farrell, Mr Andrew
• Authors: Lane, P. D., Reichenbach, J., Farrell, A. J., Ramakers, L. A.I., Adamczyk, K., Hunt, N. T., and Wynne, K.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
• Journal Name: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• ISSN: 1463-9076
• ISSN (Online): 1463-9084
• Published Online: 14 April 2020
• Copyright Holders: This journal is © the Owner Societies 2020
• First Published: First published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 17:9438
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence
• Data DOI: http://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/1001/

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
166776		The structure and dynamics of water confined in nanoscale pools: the dynamic crossover	Klaas Wynne	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/J009733/1	Chemistry
190647		Solvation dynamics and structure around proteins and peptides: collective network motions vs. weak interactions	Klaas Wynne	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/K034995/1	Chemistry
172399		Mapping and controlling nucleation	Klaas Wynne	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)	EP/N007417/1	Chemistry
303917		Delocalised phonon-like modes in organic and bio-molecules	Klaas Wynne	Leverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)	RPG-2018-350	Chemistry
304469		CONTROL	Klaas Wynne	European Commission (EC)	832703	Chemistry