Glass transition in pure and doped amorphous solid water: An ultrafast microcalorimetry study

Using an ultrafast scanning microcalorimetry apparatus capable of heating rates in excess of 10(5) K/s, we have conducted the first direct measurements of thermodynamic properties of pure and doped amorphous solid water (also referred to as low density amorphous ice) in the temperature range from 120 to 230 K. Ultrafast microcalorimetry experiments show that the heat capacity of pure amorphous solid water (ASW) remains indistinguishable from that of crystalline ice during rapid heating up to a temperature of 205 +/- 5 K where the ASW undergoes rapid crystallization. Based on these observations, we conclude that the enthalpy relaxation time in pure ASW must be greater than 10(-5) s at 205 K. We argue that this result contradicts the assignment of glass transition temperature to 135 K and that ASW may undergo fragile to strong transition at temperatures greater than 205 K. Unlike pure ASW, we observe an approximately twofold rise in heat capacity of CH3COOH doped ASW at 177 +/- 5 K. We discuss results of past studies taking into account possible influence of impurities and confinement on physical properties of ASW. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.