Article Title

Basic science of water: Challenges and current status towards a molecular picture

Authors

Sheng Meng, Beijing National Lab for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Lauren F. Greenlee, Applied Chemicals and Materials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 325 Broadway, MS 647, Boulder, CO 80305, USA
Yuen Ron Shen, Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
Enge Wang, International Center for Quantum Materials, School of Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Keywords

water, molecular structure, surface water, water treatment, nanotechnology, water properties

Abstract

Rapid developments in both fundamental science and modern technology that target water-related problems, including the physical nature of our planet and environment, the origin of life, energy production via water splitting, and water purification, all call for a molecular-level understanding of water. This invokes relentless efforts to further our understanding of the basic science of water. Current challenges to achieve a molecular picture of the peculiar properties and behavior of water are discussed herein, with a particular focus on the structure and dynamics of bulk and surface water, the molecular mechanisms of water wetting and splitting, application-oriented research on water decontamination and desalination, and the development of complementary techniques for probing water at the nanoscale.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-015-0822-y

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Sheng Meng,Lauren F. Greenlee,Yuen Ron Shen,Enge Wang, Basic science of water: Challenges and current status towards a molecular picture. NanoRes.2015, 8(10): 3085–3110