Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2025

Methane Hydrate Crystallization on Sessile Water Droplets
Published on: May 26, 2021
Studying Pure CH4 and the Interaction of CH4 and H2O in Interstellar Ice Analogues with On-Resonance Infrared
Johanna G M Schrauwen1, Herma M Cuppen2, Sergio Ioppolo3
1HFML-FELIX Laboratory, IMM, Radboud University, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Methane in the solid state is often studied in interaction with water, either as clathrate hydrates or as interstellar ice in a water-rich ice environment. Using free-electron laser infrared irradiation, we studied the interaction between CH4 and H2O through energy dissipation after on-resonance vibrational excitation. The observed changes in the ice structure are largely independent of the vibrational mode excited and suggest an energy-dissipation-induced local heating of the ice. Local heating results in desorption for the two pure crystalline phases of CH4, a phase transition to phase II for metastable CH4 and a 1:10 H2O:CH4 mixture, and segregation for the 1:1 and 1:5 H2O:CH4 ice mixtures. Local heating only occurs when the infrared irradiation is on resonance with a vibrational mode of the system in the case of the pure CH4 ices, suggesting that a sufficient absorption cross section is required to convert the on-resonance vibrational energy into general heating.
More Related Videos
11:38In situ FTIR Spectroscopy as a Tool for Investigation of Gas/Solid Interaction: Water-Enhanced CO2 Adsorption in UiO-66 Metal-Organic Framework
Published on: February 1, 2020
08:01A Microfluidic Approach for the Study of Ice and Clathrate Hydrate Crystallization
Published on: August 18, 2022
Related Concept Videos
IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...
Mass Spectrum: Interpretation
To...
IR Spectrum Peak Broadening: Hydrogen Bonding
However, the extent of hydrogen bonding influences the observed stretching frequency and band broadening. Intermolecular or intramolecular...
IR Spectroscopy: Hooke's Law Approximation of Molecular Vibration
According to Hooke's law, the vibrational frequency is directly proportional to...
Inductive Effects on Chemical Shift: Overview
Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy: Overview
Different compounds display unique properties due to their...