Germany researchers find supercritical water lacks molecular clusters

Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum have discovered that supercritical water does not form molecular clusters, contradicting previous theories. Using terahertz spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations, they found that water molecules in this state have fleeting bonds similar to those in gas. Supercritical water exists at high temperatures and pressures, combining properties of both liquid and gas. The study revealed that the hydrogen bonds in supercritical water are short-lived, lasting about one hundred times less than those in liquid water. These findings enhance the understanding of supercritical water, which is significant for chemical processes in extreme environments, such as near hydrothermal vents. The research could also improve its use as an environmentally friendly solvent.