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arXiv · 0806.1719

On the origins of apparent fragile-to-strong transition of protein hydration waters

Michael Vogel
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Abstract

2H NMR is used to study the mechanisms for the reorientation of protein hydration water. In the past, crossovers in temperature-dependent correlation times were reported at T_x1=225K (X1) and T_x2=200K (X2). We show that neither X1 nor X2 are related to a fragile-to-strong transition. Our results rule out an existence of X1. Also, they indicate that water performs thermally activated and distorted tetrahedral jumps at T<T_x2, implying that X2 originates in an onset of this motion, which may be related to a universal defect diffusion in materials with defined hydrogen-bond networks.

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Michael Vogel. 2008-10-22. On the origins of apparent fragile-to-strong transition of protein hydration waters. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.101.225701

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