Spectroscopic observation of H-2 migration in structure-I clathrate hydrate

Abstract

We demonstrate the spectroscopic observation of 14, migration in the binary structure-I (sI) clathrate hydrate. The H, molecules captured into sI small cage (sI-S) at lower temperature migrate to sI large cage (sI-L) through shared pentagonal face of 5(12)6(2) cage. The hexagonal faces of 5(12)6(2) cage provide the windows essential for creating continuous diffusion paths for H-2 molecules. It is essential to realize that the vacant channels formed by the linkage of specific cages can play an important role in guest diffusion pathways and occupancy occurring in a complex clathrate hydrate matrix.