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Related Concept Videos

Solvents01:12

Solvents

69.4K
A solvent is a substance, most often a liquid, that can dissolve other substances. Here, the substance being dissolved is called a solute. When a solvent and a solute combine, they form a solution - a homogenous mixture of both the solvent and the solute. Water is a universal biological solvent. Its polar structure allows it to dissolve many other polar compounds. The ability of water to dissolve is governed by a balance between water molecules binding to each other and binding to the solute.
A...
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Titration in Nonaqueous Solvents01:16

Titration in Nonaqueous Solvents

1.3K
Most acid-base titrations are performed in an aqueous medium. In aqueous titrations, water competes with weaker acids or bases for proton donation or acceptance, leading to ambiguous endpoints in the titration curve. Water also affects the partial ionization of weak acids or bases. For example, water accepts a proton from acetic acid to form hydronium and acetate ions. The hydronium ion formed is a stronger acid than acetic acid, and the acetate ion is a stronger base than water. As a result,...
1.3K
Entropy and Solvation02:05

Entropy and Solvation

8.1K
The process of surrounding a solute with solvent is called solvation. It involves evenly distributing the solute within the solvent. The rule of thumb for determining a solvent for a given compound is that like dissolves like. A good solvent has molecular characteristics similar to those of the compound to be dissolved. For example, polar solutions dissolve polar solutes, and apolar solvents dissolve apolar solutes. A polar solvent is a solvent that has a high dielectric constant (ϵ...
8.1K
Solubility03:00

Solubility

20.6K
Solution, Solubility, and Solubility Equilibrium
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules,...
20.6K
Role of Water in Human Biology01:27

Role of Water in Human Biology

12.3K
Water is the one of the most significant components of the human body; it plays a crucial role in several physiological activities because of its unique physicochemical properties. Importantly, it helps to regulate body temperature and is the chief component of several body fluids.
Water's Solvent Properties
Since water is a polar molecule with slightly positive and slightly negative charges, ions and polar molecules can readily dissolve in it. Therefore, it is referred to as a solvent, a...
12.3K
Control Volume and System Representations01:16

Control Volume and System Representations

1.4K
Two key frameworks are employed to analyze mass, energy, and momentum transfer: the control volume approach and the system approach. These frameworks offer different perspectives, depending on whether the focus is on a specific region in space (control volume approach) or a defined mass of fluid (system approach).
The control volume approach considers a stationary region in space through which fluid flows. This region is bounded by a control surface.  For instance, in the case of water...
1.4K

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Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
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Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

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Water as a tuneable solvent: a perspective.

Eric Breynaert1, Maarten Houlleberghs, Sambhu Radhakrishnan

  • 1KU Leuven, Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis - Characterization and Application Team (COK-KAT), Celestijnenlaan 200F, Box 2461, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium. eric.breynaert@kuleuven.be.

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|April 3, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Confining water in hydrophobic nanopores modulates its properties, enabling enhanced dissolution of non-polar compounds for chemical reactions and gas storage. This tuneable solvent system (WaTuSo) offers green chemistry solutions.

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Area of Science:

  • Green Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Water's high polarity limits solubility of non-polar compounds.
  • Confinement in hydrophobic pores alters water's structure and solvation properties.
  • The utility of confined water in chemical processes remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the potential of nano-confined water as a tuneable solvent (WaTuSo).
  • To investigate the use of confined water for enhancing dissolution of poorly soluble molecules.
  • To assess the application of confined water in chemical reactions and molecular storage.

Main Methods:

  • Confining water within hydrophobic nanopores of a host material under pressure.
  • Utilizing pressure to force water and poorly soluble molecules into nanopores.
  • Decompressing the system to expel solutions and induce product demixing.

Main Results:

  • Lowered polarity of confined water enhances dissolution of non-polar compounds.
  • Temporary dissolution enhancement benefits chemical reactions and molecular storage.
  • Nano-confined water shows potential for CH4 and H2 gas storage.
  • Aqueous phase hydrogenation reactions benefit from enhanced hydrogen solubility.

Conclusions:

  • Nano-confined water offers a novel approach to tune solvent properties.
  • The WaTuSo system presents opportunities for green chemistry and advanced storage solutions.
  • Precise control over water's solvation properties can lead to impactful new technologies.