Experimental evidence of stable water nanostructures in extremely dilute solutions, at standard pressure and temperature.
This paper presents the results of several experimental methods (FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy (FM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)) evidencing structural changes induced in extremely diluted solutions (EDS), which are prepared by an iterated process of centesimal (1:100) dilution and succussion (shaking). The iteration is repeated until an extremely high dilution is reached, so that the composition of the solution becomes identical to that of the solvent--in this case water--used to prepare it. The experimental observations reveal the presence of supramolecular aggregates hundreds of nanometres in size in EDS at ambient pressure and temperature, and in the solid state. These findings confirm the hypothesis--developed thanks to previous physico-chemical investigations--that formation of water aggregates occurs in EDS. The experimental data can be analyzed and interpreted with reference to the thermodynamics of far-from-equilibrium systems and irreversible processes.
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: vittorio.elia@unina.it.
Vittorio
V
Elia
Department of Physics, CNR-SPIN University of Naples "Federico II", Piazzale V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Ausanio
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
Francesco
F
Gentile
PROMETE Srl, CNR Spin off, Via Buongiovanni 49, 80046 San Giorgio a Cremano, NA, Italy.
Roberto
R
Germano
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
Elena
E
Napoli
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
Marcella
M
Niccoli
D006705:Homeopathy; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions; D013696:Temperature; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water
AFM; Conductivity; Dissipative structures; EDS; Fluorescence microscopy; Homeopathic medicine; IR spectroscopy; UV–vis spectroscopy