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A recent scientific discovery is redefining our understanding of the molecular organization of water, particularly salt water. The researchers found that the electrically charged particles or ions are not active on the surface of the solution itself, as previously assumed, but are located in a layer underneath.
This discovery requires a Review of models contained in textbooks, as explained in a press release from the University of Cambridge. “Our work shows that the surface of simple electrolyte solutions has a different ion distribution than previously thought and that the underlying ion-enriched layer determines how the interface is organized” says theoretical chemist Yair Litman from the University of Cambridge.
The team used an improved version of a laser radiation technique called Sum Vibrational Frequency Generation (VSFG), which measures molecular vibrations on the smallest scales with remarkable precision. Together with models based on neural networks, this advanced technique allowed researchers to detect whether ions on the surface were positively charged (cations) or negatively charged (anions).
To put it simply, the experiment reveals what happens at the boundaries of most simple liquid electrolyte solutions. Molecular organization tells us how they react with their environment. A thorough understanding of these layers and their arrangement can serve as the basis for many other models, such as those of the ocean surface, which are crucial for projecting the effects of climate change on the atmosphere.
“These types of interfaces occur all over the world, so studying them not only contributes to our fundamental understanding but can also lead to better devices and technologies“, says molecular physicist Mischa Bonn from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. “We apply the same methods to study solid-liquid interfaces, which could have potential applications in batteries and energy storage.“
By the way, did you know that water can become two different liquids?
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