Molecular dynamics in aqueous solutions of β-cyclodextrin

Water molecule mobility in ion-containing and nonionic aqueous solutions of β-cyclodextrin was studied by quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS). The total self-diffusion coefficients and their components corresponding to the contributions from collective (Lagrange type) and single-particle (jump diffusion) parts of molecular motions were determined. From the data obtained, one can conclude that the molecular mobility of free water in nonionic aqueous solutions of β-cyclodextrin with guest molecules (2-aminopyridine) proceeds by a single-particle mechanism. The addition of Pb²⁺ ions into the solution leads to increase in self-diffusion coefficients and growth of a bound water fraction.