Molecular structuring within hydrophilic and hydrophobic confining matrices

Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity of contact surfaces in membrane separations for water purification have been recognised as playing an important, yet unclear, role in the process performance. Several experimental and molecular dynamics studies address the question what surface chemistry the membrane materials for this application should have to ensure high water permeabilities. Mostly contradicting findings are reported. We propose to probe the structural properties of water confined within hydrophobic and hydrophilic pores to investigate experimentally, with atomic resolution, the aforementioned conundrum. Additionally, structuring of two alcohols differing by the length of hydrophobic hydrocarbon backbone in their structures (i.e. methanol and 1-propanol) upon confinement within the same materials will be probed to build a broader understanding of the impact of hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of both – confining matrices and confined molecules.