Molecular assembly formation in a solid nanospace

The molecular assembly formation of a simple gaseous molecule such as N-2, H2O, SO2, NO and O-2, in graphitic slit micropores is described. The strong molecular potential profile of a molecule in the graphitic slit pore is calculated and it is shown that the micropore can be used to control intermolecular structures and molecular reactivities. Examples of the molecular assembly formation in the micropore are described: vapor and supercritical N-2 form the dimer in the micropore. H2O molecules in the micropore have an ordered structure showing short-range structure different from that in the bulk liquid, while SO2 molecules produce a two-dimensional dipole-oriented structure in the micropore. Supercritical NO can be easily adsorbed through dimerization with the assistance of a magnetic perturbation, and highly concentrated NO dimers give rise to a high-pressure disproportionation reaction in the micropore. The structure of O-2 molecules in the micropore is different from that on the two-dimensional graphite surface. Furthermore, NO and H2O form a clathrate compound in the micropore even at sub-atmospheric pressures, although the bulk molecular hydrate is presumed to be produced above 100 MPa in the bulk phase.