Decades Old "Hydrogen Emission From Irradiated Water" Mystery Revealed

This might not be a breakthrough in nanotechnology, but could lead to one, because the scientists from Georgia Institute of Technology and Tel Aviv University have discovered the mechanism as to why and how a hydrogen is liberated in an atomic form and two hydroxide anions, thus resulting in splitting of water molecule. The research would now make it easier to make a quick progress in fields like "artificial photosynthetic systems" and other related technologies and branches. Scientists had so far not succeeded in determining the nature of excess electrons in a water droplet.


Surface attachment of excess electrons with water molecules

The fact that Water molecule can split in a droplet surprised the scientists for nearly 5 decades owing to the fact that, water molecule has very strong bonds between Hydrogen and Oxygen. Scientists from both Tel Aviv and Georgia Institute of Technology working together, discovered that a cluster of more than 83 molecules of water will result in the formation of a dielectron due to the two new electrons getting attached to it. Moreover, if the molecules in cluster exceeded 105, then the dielectrons attached with it will have an effect of splitting the water molecules, thus liberating Hydrogen.


Internal attachment mode of excess electrons with water molecules in cluster

The bonds between these extra electrons and molecules in water droplet are very fine. The electrons actually try to disturb the existing equilibrium between the water molecules. However, as the electrons are able to adjust with droplets, there must be some way that an attractive force exist which counter acts the repelling force for these electrons. In this experiment, scientists have found out some not known before concepts which will be a guiding factor for further research in the field of quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulations.