Phys.org April 20, 2020
Water molecules can mediate charge transfer in biological and chemical reactions by forming electronic coupling pathways. Through molecular-level (Duke University, Arizona State University, Pennsylvania State University, UC Davis) has shown that there are two distinct states of water, corresponding to parallel and perpendicular orientations of the molecules. Water molecules switch from parallel to perpendicular orientations on applying an electric field, producing a switch from high- to low-conductance states, thus enabling the determination of single water molecular dipole moments. Water-water interactions affect the atomic-scale configuration and conductance of water molecules. These findings demonstrate the importance of the discrete nature of water molecules in electron transfer and set limits on water-mediated electron transfer rates…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Graphical abstract. Credit: Matter 3, 1–14, July 1, 2020