Spectroscopy of Nanoconfined and Flowing Water

Résumé

Water at interfaces differs from bulk water, in both its physical structure and chemical composition. In particular, the role of the termination of the hydrogen-bonded network, the role of charges at interfaces, and the effect of surface charge on water and counterion arrangement have been intensely researched. Advanced surface-specific spectroscopies have contributed substantially to these insights. We have a reasonably good molecular-level understanding of water at interfaces. In contrast, nanoconfined water, and water flowing under non-equilibrium have been much less studied, owing to the challenge of ‘seeing’ a small number of water molecules under non-equilibrium.
I will show our recent results on the spectroscopy of sub-nanometer confined and flowing water. For water 2D-confined to sub-nanometer dimensions, we observe distinct layering effects. For water flowing along a graphene surface, we find experimental evidence for the recently proposed quantum friction theory.

Mischa Bonn

Prof. Dr. Mischa Bonn joined the Max Planck Society in 2011 as one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, heading the division “Molecular Spectroscopy”. Mischa completed his MSc degree in physical chemistry - with highest honors - in 1993 at the University of Amsterdam (NL) and performed his PhD research (1993-1996) at the FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics in Amsterdam. After two postdoctoral stays, at the Fritz Haber Institute (1997-1999) and at Columbia University, New York (1998-1999), he became assistant professor in 1999 at Leiden University, to receive tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2002. In 2004, he returned to the Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics in Amsterdam as group leader. He has been an extraordinary professor at the University of Amsterdam since 2005 and an honorary professor at Mainz University since 2012. Mischa serves as Deputy Editor for The Journal of Chemical Physics, and as a member of the editorial advisory board of J. Am. Chem. Soc., amongst others. Mischa has won several prizes and awards for his work, including the Gold Medal from the Royal Dutch Chemical Society and the Van ’t Hoff Award from the Deutsche Bunsengesellschaft. His scientific interests focus on the development and application of laser-based (ultrafast) spectroscopies to advance our understanding of natural phenomena, specifically at interfaces – often involving Mischa’s favorite molecule: water.