The behaviour of nanoconfined water can be very different from that of the bulk and is challenging to understand at a molecular level. Now, molecular simulations and kinetic experiments provide insight into the increased activity of hydronium ions in water nanoconfined within zeolite pores.
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References
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This is a summary of: Bocus, M. et al. Confined hot-pressurized water in Brønsted-acidic beta zeolite speeds up the O-demethylation of guaiacol. Nat. Catal. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-024-01282-6 (2025).
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Molecular basis of activity changes in acid catalysis within nanoconfined water. Nat Catal 8, 11–12 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01296-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01296-8
