Scientists have long theorized that water could exhibit a unique behavior under extreme conditions, but it was never proven until now. Researchers at the University of California San Diego used advanced molecular simulations to model this elusive behavior and discovered that liquid water can split into two distinct liquid phases under high pressure and low temperatures.
Water is already a unique substance due to its ability to exist as a solid, liquid, and gas simultaneously under normal conditions. However, researchers have now uncovered another remarkable property of water: it can separate into two denser liquids at extreme pressure and low temperatures.
The discovery was made possible by the development of advanced molecular models, including a machine learning model called MB-pol, which allows for highly realistic simulations of water behavior. The researchers used this model to calculate the critical point at which liquid water undergoes a phase transition, resulting in two distinct liquid phases.
This phenomenon is unexpected and occurs only under extremely high pressure (1,250 atmospheres) and low temperatures (198 Kelvin or -103 Fahrenheit). Below this pressure, water returns to its low-density phase; above it, it shifts entirely to the high-density phase. This behavior is similar to a wild oscillation between two states.
The researchers’ discovery has significant implications for materials science and environmental technology. It could lead to the development of synthetic liquids that exhibit a similar liquid-liquid transition, which could be used to capture pollutants or aid in water desalinization.
While the experiment was difficult to conduct due to the high computational requirements, the researchers are optimistic about the potential applications of their discovery. Further experiments using nanodroplet technology may provide experimental confirmation of this phenomenon and change our understanding of water forever.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/waters-hidden-side-revealed-it-can-exist-in-two-liquid-forms-at-once