Dielectric Spectroscopy of Water Confined Between Aerosil Nanoparticles and in Vycor Nanoporous Glass

The dynamic properties of water dispersed in compacted aerosils and confined in Vycor porous glass have been investigated by means of dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. The measurements were performed in the frequency range from 10⁻² to 10⁷ Hz and in the temperature range from 123 to 300 K. Multiple relaxation processes in bulk water, in water dispersed with aerosil particles, and in Vycor glass were observed. By comparing the presence and absence of the processes in the different samples, it was established that part of the water in confinement crystallizes to a bulk-like ice, whereas the water close to the surfaces evolved to a different phase.