Exploration of the dynamical evolution and the associated energetics of water nanoclusters formed in a hydrophobic solvent

J Phys Chem B. 2009 Apr 9;113(14):4744-50. doi: 10.1021/jp8085705.

Abstract

Exploration of the intermolecular binding energy in nanometer-sized small water clusters in hydrophobic solvents and its evolution with the increase in the cluster size until bulk-type geometry is reached constitute a fascinating area of research in contemporary chemical/biological physics. In this contribution we have used femtosecond/picosecond-resolved solvation dynamics and fluorescence anisotropy techniques to explore the dynamical evolution of water clusters in dioxane continuum as a function of water concentration. We have also used temperature dependent picosecond-resolved solvation dynamics in order to explore the magnitude of the intermolecular bonding energy in the water clusters in bulk dioxane.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation*
  • Dioxanes / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Thermodynamics*
  • Time Factors
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Dioxanes
  • Solvents
  • Water
  • 1,4-dioxane