In a microwave field, the dielectric
properties, molecular structures,
and hydrogen bonding dynamics of glycerol in its mixtures with water
were determined by the molecular dynamics simulation method. The dipole–dipole
correlation of glycerol is linked to the field intensity of microwaves.
The results show that as the field intensity is increased, even glycerol
in the second coordination shell can become correlated with each other.
The structures of up to 35 glycerol molecules are observed. More than
that, it was observed that lifetimes of glycerol–glycerol hydrogen
bonds were prolonged, while the average hydrogen bond number was also
increased. Besides, the structures in a strong microwave field mimic
the weak C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds seen in high-glycerol
concentration mixtures, yet the concentration is lower. These results
indicate that with the assistance of the microwave field, glycerol
molecules become concentrated and are more likely to establish stable
interactions with others. As a consequence, the spherical clusters
composed by glycerol molecules in our nanosheet synthesis experiment
are easier to form.