Neutron scattering study of polyamorphic THF ∙ (H2O)17 – toward a generalized picture of amorphous states and structures derived from clathrate hydrates

• From crystalline tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrate, THF-CH (THF ∙ 17H2O, cubic structure II), three distinct polyamorphs can be derived. First, THF-CH undergoes pressure-induced amorphization when pressurized to 1.3 GPa in the temperature range 77–140 K to a form which, in analogy to pure ice, may be called high-density amorphous (HDA). Second, HDA can be converted to a densified form, very-HDA (VHDA), upon heat-cycling at 1.8 GPa to 180 K. Decompression of VHDA to atmospheric pressure below 130 K produces the third, recovered amorphous (RA) form. Results from a compilation of neutron scattering experiments and molecular dynamics simulations provide a generalized picture of the structure of amorphous THF hydrates with respect to crystalline THF-CH and liquid THF ∙ 17H2O solution (~2.5 M). The calculated density of (only in situ observable) HDA and VHDA at 2 GPa and 130 K is 1.287 and 1.328 g/cm3, respectively, whereas that of RA (at 1 atm) is 1.081 g/cm3. Although fully amorphous, HDA is heterogeneous with two length scales for water-water correlations (less dense local water structure) and guest-water correlations (denser THF hydration structure). The hydration structure of THF is influenced by guest-host hydrogen bonding. THF molecules maintain a quasiregular array, reminiscent of the crystalline state, and their hydration structure (out to 5 Å) constitutes ~23 H2O. The local water structure in HDA is reminiscent of pure HDA-ice, featuring 5-coordinated H2O. In VHDA, this structure is maintained but the local water structure is densified to resemble pure VHDA-ice with 6-coordinated H2O. The hydration structure of THF in RA constitutes ~18 H2O and the water structure corresponds to a strictly 4-coordinated network, as in the liquid. Both VHDA and RA can be considered as homogeneous, solid solutions of THF and water. The local water structure of water-rich (1:17) amorphous CHs resembles most that of the corresponding amorphous water ices when compared to guest-rich CHs, e.g., Ar ∙ ~6H2O. The proposed significance of different contributions of water local environments presents a simple view to justify neutron structure factor features.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Clathrate Hydrate

Amorphous

Neutron Diffraction

Physical Chemistry

fysikalisk kemi

materialkemi

Materials Chemistry

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