Probing nanoconfined water in zeolite cages: H atom dynamics and spectroscopy

Time-resolved and CW EPR were used to study radiolytically generated H atoms in water/ice nanoclusters in NaA, NaX, NaY, and HY zeolites. H atoms dynamic properties and spectroscopy parameters are sensitive to the structural changes of water due to the nanoconfinement. Transient H atoms in HY and NaY zeolites segregate into two different domains: sodalite and super cages. In NaX zeolite only H atoms from super cages were observed. H atoms are created in both silica phase and adsorbed water by radiolytic processes. The decay of H atoms occurs predominantly via reaction with the radiation-induced defects in silica.