Water is an indispensable substance in life,carrying out essential functions necessary for sustaining life activities [
Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, Volume. 44, Issue 1, 71(2025)
Infrared spectroscopic analysis of O-H bond dynamics in one-dimensional confined water and bulk water
In sub nanometer carbon nanotubes, water exhibits unique dynamic characteristics, and in the high-frequency region of the infrared spectrum, where the stretching vibrations of the internal oxygen-hydrogen (O-H) bonds are closely related to the hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) network between water molecules. Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the relationship between these two aspects. In this paper, the infrared spectrum and motion characteristics of the stretching vibrations of the O-H bonds in one-dimensional confined water (1DCW) and bulk water (BW) in (6, 6) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the stretching vibrations of the two O-H bonds in 1DCW exhibit different frequencies in the infrared spectrum, while the O-H bonds in BW display two identical main frequency peaks. Further analysis using the spring oscillator model reveals that the difference in the stretching amplitude of the O-H bonds is the main factor causing the change in vibration frequency, where an increase in stretching amplitude leads to a decrease in spring stiffness and, consequently, a lower vibration frequency. A more in-depth study found that the interaction of H-bonds between water molecules is the fundamental cause of the increased stretching amplitude and decreased vibration frequency of the O-H bonds. Finally, by analyzing the motion trajectory of the H atoms, the dynamic differences between 1DCW and BW are clearly revealed. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the behavior of water molecules at the nanoscale and are of significant importance in advancing the development of infrared spectroscopy detection technology.
Introduction
Water is an indispensable substance in life,carrying out essential functions necessary for sustaining life activities [
In nature,most water exists in the form of free state bulk water(BW). However,in biochemical reactions and macromolecular biological functions,water often exists in the form of confined water within inorganic pores and certain protein structures,playing a key role. For example,the water channel protein Aquaporin-1 in biological organisms has been proven to efficiently transport water molecules across membranes while preventing ions from passing through [
In recent years,with the capabilities of high-performance computing and large-scale data processing,scientists have conducted more precise and complex simulations and calculations of the water structure inside SWNT,discovering novel behaviors not observed on a macroscopic scale. These findings have propelled SWNT into new application prospects,such as precise water molecule control [
This paper utilizes the SPC/E water model based on the MD simulation method to study the infrared spectroscopy and motion characteristics of 1DCW in(6,6) SWNT. The results indicate significant differences in the O-H bond stretching vibration infrared spectra between 1DCW and BW. Subsequent analysis of the O-H bond length stretching changes,H-bonds,and motion trajectory diagrams reveals the fundamental reasons for the spectral differences.
1 Methods
1.1 Simulation methods
First,we establish a cubic simulation box with dimensions of 3.00 nm × 5.11 nm × 7.00 nm,as shown in
The first term represents long-range electrostatic interactions,while the second term involves short-range Lennard-Jones(L-J) interactions. Here,
Figure 1.Schematic of the simulation system for one-dimensional confined water(1DCW) through a single-walled carbon nanotube(SWNT) water channel:In this system,a 2.33 nm long(6,6) SWNT is placed between two perforated graphite sheets,with water reservoirs on either side of the graphite sheets,allowing water molecules to pass through the nanotube only in the Z direction. In the figure,green,red,and white spheres represent carbon(C),oxygen(O),and hydrogen(H) atoms,respectively.
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1.2 Analytical method
1.2.1 Calculation of infrared spectra
In studying the infrared spectra of the O-H bond stretching vibrations in water molecules within SWNT,the required infrared spectra are calculated by performing a Fourier transform on the time autocorrelation function of the O-H bond lengths in water molecules. The mathematical expression for this calculation is as follows:
In the above expression,
1.2.2 Weak interaction analysis methods
Weak interaction analysis can reveal the non-covalent interactions among water molecules,such as electrostatic forces,H-bonds,and van der Waals forces. In this study,based on the initial configurations output from the MD simulations of infrared spectroscopy analysis,one water molecule is fixed while allowing other water molecules to move freely. A 1 ns MD simulation is conducted under the same conditions,yielding 1000 trajectory data frames. Utilizing these coordinate data,the average reduced density gradient(aRDG) among the water molecules is analyzed using the quantum chemical wave function analysis program Multiwfn [
2 Results and discussion
Firstly,we calculated the time autocorrelation functions of the O-H bond lengths in 1DCW and BW using MD simulations,and then processed these autocorrelation functions with Fourier transform to obtain the infrared spectra of the stretching vibrations. As shown in
Figure 2.Infrared spectra of O-H bond stretching vibrations in 1DCW and BW.(a),(b) represent the spectra of O-H bond stretching vibrations in 1DCW and BW; in both spectra,the infrared absorption peaks of the stretching vibrations appear in the frequency(
Typically,the vibrational frequency of water molecules is closely related to the internal constraints,which we liken to a spring in simple harmonic motion for the O-H bond stretching,where the force applied determines the stiffness coefficient k [
Figure 3.Changes and distributions of O-H bond lengths over time in 1DCW and BW.(a),(b) Represent the stretching changes of O-H1 and O-H2 bond lengths over time in 1DCW and BW,respectively. Insets: the left and right sides respectively represent the stretched states of the two O-H bonds in 1DCW and BW;(c),(d) respectively represent the statistical distribution graphs of O-H1 and O-H2 bond lengths in 1DCW and BW,respectively. Herein,where the gray curve represents the distribution of the O-H1 bond lengths in water molecules,and the red curve represents the distribution of O-H2 bond lengths.
In infrared spectroscopy analysis,the high-frequency stretching vibration frequencies of the O-H bonds within water molecules exhibit a strong correlation with the H-bond network structure. To deeply understand the influence of the differences in O-H bond stretching amplitudes in 1DCW and BW on vibration frequencies,we analyzed the forces exerted by the H-bonds.
Figure 4.The average reduced density gradient(aRDG) calculations of weak interactions in water molecules under different conditions.(a) depicts the chain-like H-bond network structure in 1DCW,where only one H atom in 1DCW is involved in H-bond formation; the light blue curve represents the semi-sectional structure of a carbon nanotube,and the dark blue discs represent H-bond interactions;(b) shows the tetrahedral H-bond network structure in BW,where two H atoms of a BW molecule can simultaneously form H-bond with adjacent water molecules
Finally,we compared the motion trajectories of water molecules in different environments.
Figure 5.Three-dimensional motion trajectories of H atoms in 1DCW and BW.(a),(b) respectively show the projections of the motion trajectories of H1 and H2 atoms in 1DCW on a two-dimensional plane;(c),(d) respectively represent the projections of the motion trajectories of H1 and H2 atoms in BW on a two-dimensional plane. These trajectories are distinguished by red,green,and blue curves,representing the motion paths of H atoms on the XY plane,XZ plane,and YZ plane respectively
3 Conclusions
In summary,this paper based on molecular dynamics simulations,analyzes the infrared spectroscopic characteristics of the O-H bonds of water in two different environments: SWNT and bulk phase. The study reveals that in 1DCW,the stretching vibration frequency of the O-H1 bond involved in H-bond is lower than that of the O-H2 bond which does not participate in H-bond. Conversely,in BW,the main peak frequencies of both O-H bonds are nearly identical. Further analysis showed that the stretching amplitude of the O-H1 bond in 1DCW is significantly higher than that of the O-H2 bond,resulting in a lower vibration frequency for O-H1. In BW,both O-H bonds have consistent stretching amplitudes,displaying both long and short bonds,hence there are two main frequency absorption peaks. To understand more deeply the reasons for these differences in stretching amplitudes,we conducted a detailed analysis of the H-bond networks of the water molecules. In SWNT,water molecules form a one-dimensional chain structure,with only one H atom involved in H-bond,leading to differentiated stretching characteristics of the two O-H bonds. In contrast,the tetrahedral H-bond network structure in BW results in more uniform stretching amplitudes for both O-H bonds. Finally,by comparing the motion trajectories of water molecules in different environments,it was found that in 1DCW,the H1 atom shows constrained dynamic behavior due to its participation in H-bond,while H2,not involved in H-bond,exhibits greater freedom of movement. This dynamic difference indirectly reflects the vibrational modes of the water molecule's O-H bonds and forms specific characteristics in the infrared spectrum. However,in the tetrahedral H-bond network of BW,both H atoms are subject to similar constraints,thus their motion trajectories show no significant differences,but the state of motion continuously transitions between free and constrained,further displaying the dynamic equilibrium of H-bonds. These findings reveal the structure and dynamics of the H-bond networks of water molecules in different microenvironments and clarify how these characteristics influence the infrared spectrum of water molecules. This research deepens our understanding of the unique characteristics of molecules in diverse environments [
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Lei ZHANG, Tian-Qi WANG, Yan-Ping FAN. Infrared spectroscopic analysis of O-H bond dynamics in one-dimensional confined water and bulk water[J]. Journal of Infrared and Millimeter Waves, 2025, 44(1): 71
Category: Infrared Spectroscopy and Remote Sensing Technology
Received: Jun. 6, 2024
Accepted: --
Published Online: Mar. 5, 2025
The Author Email: FAN Yan-Ping (ypfan@usst.edu.cn)