After 200 Years, a Key Physical Chemistry Mystery May Have Been Solved

Scientists have been asking the question of how protons move through water for hundreds of years. Scientists have some clarity after more than 200 years.

The Grotthuss mechanism for 'proton jumping' was put forward by Theodor Grotthuss in the 18th century.

Modern-day researchers know that Grotthuss's hypothesis didn't provide a complete understanding of what happened at a molecular level.

The mysteries of hydrated protons may have been solved by the latest findings on the topic.

According to the findings, protons move through water in 'trains' of three water molecule, with tracks built in front of the train as it goes and pulls up.

The loop can carry on for a long time. According to the study authors, a different structure that fits better into the solution proposed by Grotthuss has been assigned.

One of the most basic challenges in chemistry is the nature of protons solvation in water.

The new study combines a theoretical approach with physical experimentation made possible by technology. The XAS experiment was used by the researchers to see how the charges of protons affect the electrons in the water.

The impact was greatest on three water molecule, though to different extents on each individual molecule. Three groups of molecule formed chains with the protons.

The researchers used chemical simulations and calculations at the quantum level to figure out how protons move through liquid.

Understanding this mechanism is pure science, pushing the boundaries of our knowledge and changing one of our fundamental understandings of one of nature's most important mass and charge transport mechanisms.

The discovery plays into a lot of other chemical processes.

It's not just the solution that's notable, but also how the researchers were able to get to it, in a long, winding process that has taken almost two decades.

"Everyone thought about this problem for over 200 years, so that was a sufficient challenge to me to decide to take it up." Seventeen years later, I am very pleased that most likely have found the solution.

The research was published in an international edition.