State of irremovable water in solid polymer films examined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy I: poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether

The state of the sorbed water, including the water that cannot be removed by the reduced pressure and water-sorption processes, into poly(ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether (PEG-DME) film was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The spectrum of the irremovable water could be obtained without a thermal treatment frequently used as the dehydration procedure. It was found that the irremovable water mainly existed in the crystalline region of PEG-DME film, and that its hydrogen-bonding (HB) structure differed from that of the water sorbed from the air. Moreover, the amount of water having the same HB structure as the irremovable water increased with the water contents. These findings could not be revealed by the spectrum of the sorbed water obtained by the conventional dehydration procedure. The experimental procedure examined here allowed us to investigate the true aspects of the irremovable water and the water-sorption processes.     

Transient oxygen clathrate-like hydrate and water networks induced by magnetic fields

Recently, careful experiments of oxygen-dissolved pure water treated by high magnetic fields showed indirectly the existence of magnetic field-affecting water (MFA water), which brought about a decrease in the contact angle of water on metals, an increase in the electrolytic potential of water, inhibition of metal corrosion, and changes in the crystal structure of calcium carbonate due to magnetic treatment. Here we report the infrared and Raman spectroscopic evidence indicating quasi-stable structures in the MFA water; oxygen clathrate-like hydrate and developed water networks, which were induced by magnetic interactions while a vacuum-distilled water, followed by oxygen exposure, crossed a steady magnetic field. The mechanism of MFA water formation and survival under thermal fluctuation is a challenging problem for the science community.     

DSC study of phase transition of anhydrous phospholipid DHPC and influence of water content

The phase transition behavior of 1,2-di-n-heptadecanoyl phosphatidylcholme (DHPC)with and without water has been studied by use of differential scanning calorimetry It was found by experiment that the glass transition occurred at first during the first heating of a sample of DHPC without water and then the sample underwent melting as an ordinary crystal.Therefore the sample of DHPC without water was a glassy crystal However,the DHPC sample crystallizing from melt was an ordinary crystal From the relationship between the total melting enthalpy Qf of freezable water and the water content h,it was concluded that the water contained in the DHPC samples might exist in three states recognizable thermodynamically.The water in the first state was an unfreezable water It was the water bound directly with the head groups of the phospholipid,i.e.the primary hydration water Every head group might bind seven such molecules of water.The water in the second state was the secondary hydration water,us melt ing point was     

Microwave heating of water, ice, and saline solution: molecular dynamics study

In order to study the heating process of water by the microwaves of 2.5-20 GHz frequencies, the authors have performed molecular dynamics simulations by adopting a nonpolarizable water model that has fixed point charges on a rigid-body geometry. All runs are started from the equilibrated states derived from the I(c) ice with given density and temperature. In the presence of microwaves, the molecules of liquid water exhibit rotational motion whose average phase is delayed from the microwave electric field. Microwave energy is transferred to the kinetic and intermolecular energies of water, where one-third of the absorbed microwave energy is stored as the latter energy. The water in ice phase is scarcely heated by microwaves because of the tight hydrogen-bonded network of water molecules. Dilute salt water is significantly more heated than pure water because of the field-induced motion of salt ions, especially that of large-size ions, by the microwave electric field and energy transfer to water molecules by collisions.     

Recrystallization of water in a non-water-soluble polymer examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: poly(2-methoxyethylacrylate) with low water content

Crystallization of water during heating, the so-called "recrystallization of water", in poly(2-methoxyethylacrylate) (PMEA) was investigated by temperature-variable Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Recrystallization in a polymer-water system is generally understood to be a phase transition from glassy water (condensed water) to crystalline water. However, infrared spectral changes of the PMEA-water system with low water content indicated that the formation of ice I h during heating occurred by a vapor deposition process rather than by a crystallization process.     

山梨醇改性聚乙烯醇体系的氢键作用及对水状态的影响

采用二维相关红外光谱研究了水渗透进入聚乙烯醇(PVA)及其改性基体过程中, 体系的氢键作用及对水状态的影响; 通过差示扫描量热分析(DSC)研究了改性剂山梨醇(S)对改性PVA中水状态的影响. 实验结果表明, S能通过其羟基与水形成较强氢键, 从而显著改变体系中水的状态及其蒸发行为, 使体系自由水含量逐渐减少, 水的蒸发峰温度升高.     

Distribution of humic substances dissolved and particulated in water column in Ross Sea, Antarctica

Dissolved (DFA) and particulate (PFA) fulvic acids were studied in some areas of the Ross Sea (Antarctica) characterised by different water masses. Our interest was focused on their distribution in the water column. Moreover, their correlation with fluorescence data and structural characterisation in relation to the water masses was also studied. We found that PFA concentration was mainly influenced by the primary production in surface layers and by stratification of water masses along the water column. Conversely, the DFA are less influenced by primary production and by the stratification of the water masses. An early stage of the humification process can be hypothesised for PFA related to DFA as shown by elemental analyses and spectroscopic data. PFA collected in the bottom depths of the water column showed a relationship with age of water mass (the highest concentration was found for the oldest circulating water mass (CDW)). This relationship was not observed for DFA. Moreover, any significant difference in structure was found in the DFA and PFA extracted from samples collected at bottom depths.     

Selective pervaporation of water through a nonselective microporous titania membrane by a dynamically induced molecular sieving mechanism

Pervaporation experiments were performed on microporous titania membranes using several binary liquids containing 2-20 wt % water. The membrane was nonselective in the separation of water from alcohols and p-dioxane but showed a remarkably high selectivity in the separation of water from ethylene glycol/water mixtures with < or =15 mol % water. The absence of selectivity under most conditions is explained by the large pore size (0.9 nm) of microporous titania. The high selectivity for water in the separation from ethylene glycol can be explained by the formation of a hydrogen-bonded network of ethylene glycol in the micropores, which blocks transport of ethylene glycol, while water can still permeate through. These networks are disrupted by water at higher concentrations, leading to full loss of membrane selectivity.     

Does magnetic treatment of water change its properties?

Some properties and functions of water treated under magnetic field were examined. No change in properties of pure water distilled from ultrapure water in vacuum was observed by magnetic treatment. However, when the same magnetic treatment was carried out after the distilled water was exposed to O2, water properties such as vibration modes and electrolytic potential were changed. The degree of magnetic treatment effect on water was quantitatively evaluated by contact angle.     

Reliable determination of oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios in atmospheric water vapour adsorbed on 3A molecular sieve

The isotope ratio of atmospheric water vapour is determined by wide-ranging feedback effects from the isotope ratio of water in biological water pools, soil surface horizons, open water bodies and precipitation. Accurate determination of atmospheric water vapour isotope ratios is important for a broad range of research areas from leaf-scale to global-scale isotope studies. In spite of the importance of stable isotopic measurements of atmospheric water vapour, there is a paucity of published data available, largely because of the requirement for liquid nitrogen or dry ice for quantitative trapping of water vapour. We report results from a non-cryogenic method for quantitatively trapping atmospheric water vapour using 3A molecular sieve, although water is removed from the column using standard cryogenic methods. The molecular sieve column was conditioned with water of a known isotope ratio to 'set' the background signature of the molecular sieve. Two separate prototypes were developed, one for large collection volumes (3 mL) and one for small collection volumes (90 microL). Atmospheric water vapour was adsorbed to the column by pulling air through the column for several days to reach the desired final volume. Water was recovered from the column by baking at 250 degrees C in a dry helium or nitrogen air stream and cryogenically trapped. For the large-volume apparatus, the recovered water differed from water that was simultaneously trapped by liquid nitrogen (the experimental control) by 2.6 per thousand with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.5 per thousand for delta(2)H and by 0.3 per thousand with a SD of 0.2 per thousand for delta(18)O. Water-vapour recovery was not satisfactory for the small volume apparatus.     

Sorption and transport of water in nylon-6 films

Sorption and transport properties of water through films of Nylon-6 were obtained at 5, 23, and 40°C. Commercially available films were used and a Cahn electrobalance was employed for measuring the water uptake by the polymer samples. Values of the water sorption isotherms are accurately described by the Langmuir/Flory-Huggins dual-mode sorption model. At water activity values below 0.15, the volume fraction of water described by the Langmuir portion of the model was greater than the Flory-Huggins population. Solubility and diffusion coefficients of water, as well as the diffusion activation energy and enthalpy of dissolution of water for Nylon-6, were determined from the sorption experiments. Values obtained support the hypothesis of a bimodal water sorption mode, and the formation of water clusters. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Transport mechanisms in capillary condensation of water at a single-asperity nanoscopic contact

Transport mechanisms involved in capillary condensation of water menisci in nanoscopic gaps between hydrophilic surfaces are investigated theoretically and experimentally by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements of capillary force. The measurements showed an instantaneous formation of a water meniscus by coalescence of the water layers adsorbed on the AFM tip and sample surfaces, followed by a time evolution of meniscus toward a stationary state corresponding to thermodynamic equilibrium. This dynamics of the water meniscus is indicated by time evolution of the meniscus force, which increases with the contact time toward its equilibrium value. Two water transport mechanisms competing in this meniscus dynamics are considered: (1) Knudsen diffusion and condensation of water molecules in the nanoscopic gap and (2) adsorption of water molecules on the surface region around the contact and flow of the surface water toward the meniscus. For the case of very hydrophilic surfaces, the dominant role of surface water transportation on the meniscus dynamics is supported by the results of the AFM measurements of capillary force of water menisci formed at sliding tip-sample contacts. These measurements revealed that fast movement of the contact impedes on the formation of menisci at thermodynamic equilibrium because the flow of the surface water is too slow to reach the moving meniscus.     

Absorption of water by thin, ionic films of gelatin

This paper discusses absorption of water by thin, dry films of gelatin. Experiments using a wet-stamping technique were performed to characterize water uptake in terms of (i) equilibrium profiles of the water density inside the gel and (ii) the kinetics of water absorption. It was found that, in contrast to pure gelatin films, which absorb water approximately uniformly, films of gelatin doped with ionic additives have exponentially decaying equilibrium water profiles. The process of water absorption by both doped and undoped gels was described by a theoretical model based on the minimization of grand potential functional. The results of this model are in agreement with the experiment.     

Determination of water states and the structural parameters of W/O microemulsions

The states of water in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/isooctane/water reverse(W/O) microemulsions system have been investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) technique. The broad peak obtained for hydroxy(O-H) of water has been resolved by least square curve-fitting. It has been observed that the water solubilized in microemul-sion droplets has four states, i.e. bound water with sulfo-group, free water, bound water with sodium counterion in the water pool of microemulsion droplets and a small amount of trapped water in the palisade layer of microemulsion droplets. The following have also been determined: the aggregation number (n), the radius of the water pool in the microemulsions(rw), the thickness of the bound water with sulfo-group(d1), the thickness of the bound water with sodium counterion(d2), the total thickness of the bound water (d) and the effective area of head groups of AOT(AAOT).     

On the role of organic adlayers in the anomalous water sorptivity of Lépine limestone

Sorptivity data are reported for the capillary absorption of water, ethanol, propan-2-ol, and n-heptane by the calcitic limestone Lépine (Lavoux à grain). The data confirm that the water sorptivity is anomalously low, an indication of partial wetting by water. Results are expressed in terms of a wetting index. The water sorptivity increases after heat treatment and chemical oxidation by hydrogen peroxide bleaching, while the sorptivity with organic liquids is unchanged. These treatments, therefore, increase the water wetting index. The results provide strong evidence that the presence of a natural organic adlayer is responsible for the anomalously low water sorptivity of this particular limestone. This natural water repellency effect may be exploited in developing chemical treatments to modify the water transport properties of stone.     

化学交联聚乙烯醇(PVA)水凝胶的合成、表征及溶胀特性

用环氧氯丙烷作交联剂,制备了一种聚乙烯醇(PVA)水凝胶.用FTIR和GPC方法对其结构作了表征.在干凝胶中逐步加水使其溶胀,通过差示扫描量热(DSC)方法测量溶胀水凝胶中不同状态水的含量变化来研究凝胶的溶胀特性.结果表明,当水进入干凝胶网络后首先与网络链上的亲水基团通过氢键的结合形成非冻结水,非冻结水与干凝胶的比值为0.20.非冻结水饱和之后,额外再加入的水渗入网络空间,同步形成冻结水与自由水两种状态直至达到平衡溶胀为止.     

Fourier transform infrared study of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) PHEMA

 Fourier transform infrared spectra in the wave number range 450–4500 cm^-1 of poly (2-hydroxy-ethyl methacrylate) PHEMA have been studied as functions of water content in the range 38–2.6 wt% and of temperature in the range 300–373 K. The results show changes in the intensities of the stretching frequencies of the carbonyl band, H–O–H bending vibration and O–H stretching vibration with a change in water content and temperature. The results confirm two types of water in the hydrogel polymer system, tightly bound water and loosely bound water. At low concentrations, water is mainly hydrogen-bonded to the polymer and is described as tightly bound water. However, at water concentrations greater than 18% by weight, part of the water exists in a different form and behaves as loosely bound water. For concentrations over 30%, there is some evidence that excess water behaves more loosely bound somewhat like bulk water. Infrared spectroscopic results supplement those obtained by means of NMR by Smyth et al. and by dielectric spectroscopy. Our results also show that some of the water continues to be hydrogen bonded to the polymer until at least a temperature of 373 K when the bulk water should have evaporated. FTIR is found to yield greater site-specific insight into the local behaviour of water in hydrated PHEMA. Received: 22 August 1996 Accepted: 11 November 1996     

A new understanding on how heme metabolism occurs in heme oxygenase: water-assisted oxo mechanism

Heme metabolism by heme oxygenase (HO) is investigated with quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations. A mechanism assisted by water is proposed: (1) an iron-oxo species and a water molecule are generated by the heterolytic cleavage of the O-O bond of an iron-hydroperoxo species in a similar way to P450-mediated reactions, (2) a hydrogen atom abstraction by the iron-oxo species from the generated water molecule and the C-O bond formation between the water molecule and the α-meso carbon take place simultaneously. The water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to the oxo ligand and to the water cluster in the active site of HO. The water cluster can control the position of the generated water molecule to ensure the regioselective oxidation of heme at the α-meso position, at the same time, can facilitate the oxidation by stabilizing a positive charge on the water molecule in the transition state. A key difference between HO and P450 is observed in the structure of the active site; Thr252 in P450 blocks the access of the water molecule to the α-meso position, and can thus suppress the undesired heme oxidation for P450.     

States of water in poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels with various water contents were prepared from 10 wt% aqueous solutions of mixtures of PVA and anionic poly(styrene sulfonic acid) sodium salt (NaPSS) by casting, dehydrating, and then extracting NaPSS. The existence of three types of ice were suggested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements for every frozen hydrogel. In the frozen hydrogels the states of water, except unfrozen water, were ice of free water and disordered ice crystals. The mobility and activation energy for motion of water molecules in unfrozen hydrogels were investigated by using pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (PNMR) measurements. It was concluded that there are two states of water in the unfrozen hydrogel, i.e. unfrozen water and disordered water which is mainly formed in narrow apertures in the hydrogel. The discrepancy between the DSC and PNMR measurements was explained by a structural transformation during cooling.