Solvation dynamics in water confined within layered manganese dioxide

Abstract

The confined environment presented by layered transition metal oxides is conducive to a variety of chemical reactions. Despite intense interest in these materials, little is known regarding the microscopic details relevant to their catalytic activity. We characterize aspects of the dynamics governing a redox reaction in the interlayer environment between manganese dioxide sheets. The nonequilibrium solvation dynamics surrounding charge transfer between an ion and the surface are highly non-linear and exhibit long-time relaxation that is governed by collective dynamics. These dynamics are rationalized in terms of structural rearrangements, allowing connections to be made to more complex reactions in these materials.