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Asymmetric rotations slow down diffusion under confinement

Author

Listed:
  • Zhiqiang Liu

    (Wuhan University of Science and Technology)

  • Xun Kan

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Mingbin Gao

    (Xiamen University)

  • Yi Ji

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fangxiu Ye

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jingyi Tan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fengqing Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiamin Yuan

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaomin Tang

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Haohan Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Pan Gao

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiaao Xue

    (Wuhan University of Science and Technology)

  • Qun Cai

    (Wuhan University of Science and Technology)

  • Naresh C. Osti

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Niina H. Jalarvo

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Cheng Li

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Yongcun Zou

    (Jilin University)

  • Yi Li

    (Jilin University)

  • Shutao Xu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Guangjin Hou

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Mao Ye

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Fujian Liu

    (Fuzhou University)

  • Anmin Zheng

    (Wuhan University of Science and Technology
    Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Translation and rotation are the two most fundamental forms of diffusion, yet their coupling mechanism is not clear, especially under confinement. Here, we provided evidence of the coupling between rotation and translation using a substituted benzene molecule as an example. A counterintuitive behavior was observed where the movement of the smaller molecule with an asymmetric shape was unexpectedly slower than the larger one with a symmetric shape in confined channels of zeolite. We showed that this diffusion behavior was caused by the presence of the specific and selective interaction of the asymmetric guest with the pores, which increased the local restricted residence time, thus inhibiting the translation under confinement, as further confirmed by dynamic breakthrough curves, uptake measurements, quasi-elastic neutron scattering, and 2H solid-state NMR techniques. Our work correlated asymmetric rotation and diffusion under a confined environment, which enriched our understanding of the coupling between rotation and translation and could shed light on a fundamental understanding of the diffusion process.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhiqiang Liu & Xun Kan & Mingbin Gao & Yi Ji & Fangxiu Ye & Jingyi Tan & Fengqing Liu & Jiamin Yuan & Xiaomin Tang & Haohan Li & Pan Gao & Jiaao Xue & Qun Cai & Naresh C. Osti & Niina H. Jalarvo & Che, 2025. "Asymmetric rotations slow down diffusion under confinement," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57242-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57242-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alvarez-Ramirez, J. & Dagdug, L. & Meraz, M., 2014. "Asymmetric diffusion in heterogeneous media," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 395(C), pages 193-199.
    2. Sheng Zhou & Osama Shekhah & Adrian Ramírez & Pengbo Lyu & Edy Abou-Hamad & Jiangtao Jia & Jiantang Li & Prashant M. Bhatt & Zhiyuan Huang & Hao Jiang & Tian Jin & Guillaume Maurin & Jorge Gascon & Mo, 2022. "Asymmetric pore windows in MOF membranes for natural gas valorization," Nature, Nature, vol. 606(7915), pages 706-712, June.
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