Hydrogen-bond transformations of confined water and abnormal mechanical responses of hydrated AlPO4-11 framework under in situ high pressure

Abstract

The behaviors of water under non-ambient conditions, especially in confinement environment, have long been of special interest due to the important roles in biological and geological processes. Here, we have performed an infrared spectroscopic investigation on the pressure-induced hydrogen-bond transformation of water in one-dimensional, elliptical channels of AlPO4-11. Upon compression, the hydrogen-bonds of confined water strengthen and water molecules transform from tetrahedral coordination configuration to low and intermediate configurations, which may be a high-density disordered state. This transformation is distinct from the commonly accepted liquid–solid and solid–solid phase transition in bulk water. Stronger hydrogen-bonds are formed and a further transformation of hydrogen-bonded water takes place in the hydrostatic environment of Ar than the case without pressure transmitting medium (PTM). In addition, the mechanical compressible behaviors and framework deformation of the host matrix are also discussed. X-ray diffraction study shows that the hydrated AlPO4-11 exhibits an unexpected high compressibility in Ar. Its bulk modulus before framework collapse is 14.1 GPa, 4 ∼ 5 times smaller than that in silicone. The anisotropic axial compressibilities of AlPO4-11 demonstrate that the ellipticity of the channel cross-section increases in silicone oil while it decreases in Ar because the relatively contractive behavior along minor axis direction is slowed down. Such pressure-induced responses are ascribed to the complex Ar-H2O-framework interaction after Ar penetration. This study offers us a new knowledge of crystal-fluid interaction in determining the mechanical behaviors of open-framework materials under high pressure and provides implications for the water evolution and circulation in water-carrying natural zeolites under extreme geological conditions in nature.