Deciphering the Properties of Nanoconfined Aqueous Solutions by Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy
Banshi Das, Sergi Ruiz‐Barragán, Dominik Marx
Abstract
When confined between walls at nanometer distances, water exhibits surprisingly different properties with reference to bare interfacial water. Based on computer simulations, we demonstrate how vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy can be used-even with very mild symmetry breaking-to discriminate multilayer water in wide slit pores from both bilayer and monolayer water confined within molecularly narrow pores. Applying the technique, the VSFG lineshapes of monolayer, bilayer, and multilayer water are found to differ in characteristic ways, which is explained by their distinct density stratifications giving rise to different H-bonding patterns in the respective solvation layers.
Topics & Concepts
Sum frequency generation spectroscopyMonolayerSum-frequency generationSolvationBilayerChemical physicsSpectroscopyAqueous solutionMaterials scienceMolecular vibrationChemistryMolecular physicsNanotechnologyOpticsPhysical chemistryMoleculeNonlinear opticsMembraneOrganic chemistryPhysicsBiochemistryQuantum mechanicsLaserSpectroscopy and Quantum Chemical StudiesQuantum, superfluid, helium dynamicsSpectroscopy and Laser Applications