Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 223, 1831-1847 (2014)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2014-02229-4

Review

Looking at hydrogen motions in confinement

¹ Forschungszentrum Julich, ICS-1, 52425 Julich, Germany
² The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
³ European Spallation Source ESS AB, 22100 Lund, Sweden
⁴ Department of Biochemistry State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), 13083-970 Campinas, Brazil

^a e-mail: bordallo@nbi.ku.dk

Received: 30 June 2014
Revised: 21 July 2014
Published online: 22 September 2014

Abstract

Why in a barren and hot desert, clays can contain a significant fraction of water? Why does concrete crack? How can we demonstrate that complexation of a drug does not alter its conformation in a way that affects its functionality? In this paper we present results on various studies using Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering aimed at clarifying these questions. To allow for a better understanding of neutron scattering, a brief introduction to the basics of its theory is presented. Following the theoretical part, experimental results dealing with the effects of confinement on the water dynamics caused by the interfaces in clays and the nano- and micro-pores of concrete are reviewed in detail. At the end, recent Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering investigations on the complexation of the local anesthetics Bupivacaine (BVC.HCl, C₁₈H₂₈N₂₀.HCl.H₂O) and Ropivacaine (RVC.HCl, C₁₇H₂₆N₂₀.HCl.H₂O) into the cyclic β-cyclodextrin oligosaccharide are presented. To conclude, the perspectives that the European Spallation Source brings to this subject are discussed.