Toward a quasiphase transition in the single-file chain of water molecules: simple lattice model

Abstract

Recently, Ma et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 027402 (2017)] have suggested that water molecules encapsulated in (6,5) single-wall carbon nanotube experience a temperature-induced quasiphase transition around 150 K interpreted as changes in the water dipoles orientation. We discuss further this temperature-driven quasiphase transition performing quantum chemical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations and, most importantly, suggesting a simple lattice model to reproduce the properties of the one-dimensional confined finite arrays of water molecules. The lattice model takes into account not only the short-range and long-range interactions but also the rotations in a narrow tube, and both ingredients provide an explanation for a temperature-driven orientational ordering of the water molecules, which persists within a relatively wide temperature range.