Quantum Coherence and Temperature Dependence of the Anomalous State of Nanoconfined Water in Carbon Nanotubes.

ABSTRACT

X-ray Compton scattering measurements of the electron momentum distribution in water confined in both single-walled and double-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT and DWNT), as a function of temperature and confinement size are presented here together with earlier measurements of the proton momentum distribution in the same systems using neutron Compton scattering. These studies provide a coherent picture of an anomalous state of water that exists because of nanoconfinement. This state cannot be described by the weakly interacting molecule picture. It has unique transport properties for both protons and water molecules. We suggest that knowledge of the excitation spectrum of this state is needed to understand the enhanced flow of water in cylinders with diameters on the order of 20 Å.