String-like propagation of the 5-coordinated defect state in supercooled water: molecular origin of dynamic and thermodynamic anomalies

Jana, Biman and Singh, Rakesh Sharan and Bagchi, Biman (2011) String-like propagation of the 5-coordinated defect state in supercooled water: molecular origin of dynamic and thermodynamic anomalies. In: PCCP: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 13 (36). pp. 16220-16226.

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Abstract

We find that at low temperature water, large amplitude (similar to 60 degrees) rotational jumps propagate like a string, with the length of propagation increasing with lowering temperature. The strings are formed by mobile 5-coordinated water molecules which move like a Glarum defect (J. Chem. Phys., 1960, 33, 1371), causing water molecules on the path to change from 4-coordinated to 5-coordinated and again back to 4-coordinated water, and in the process cause the tagged water molecule to jump, by following essentially the Laage-Hynes mechanism (Science, 2006, 311, 832-835). The effects on relaxation of the propagating defect causing large amplitude jumps are manifested most dramatically in the mean square displacement (MSD) and also in the rotational time correlation function of the O-H bond of the molecule that is visited by the defect (transient transition to the 5-coordinated state). The MSD and the decay of rotational time correlation function, both remain quenched in the absence of any visit by the defect, as postulated by Glarum long time ago. We establish a direct connection between these propagating events and the known thermodynamic and dynamic anomalies in supercooled water. These strings are found largely in the regions that surround the relatively rigid domains of 4-coordinated water molecules. The propagating strings give rise to a noticeable dynamical heterogeneity, quantified here by a sharp rise in the peak of the four-point density response function, chi(4)(t). This dynamics heterogeneity is also responsible for the breakdown of the Stokes-Einstein relation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	PCCP: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Publisher:	Royal Society of Chemistry
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Royal Society of Chemistry.
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Solid State & Structural Chemistry Unit
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2011 09:11
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2011 09:11
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/40564

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