Investigated hydrogen-bond network kinetics of acetone-water solutions by spontaneous and stimulated Raman spectroscopy

The hydrogen bond (HB) network structure and kinetics of the acetone-water mixed solutions were investigated by the spontaneous Raman and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectra. The HB network of water molecules was enhanced when the volume fraction of acetone ranged from 0 to 0.25. Two new SRS peaks of water at 3272 and 3380 cm-1 were obtained, resulting from the cooperation of the polar carbonyl (C = O)-enhanced HB and the ice-like structure formed around the methyl groups. However, when the volume fraction went beyond 0.25, the spontaneous Raman main peak at 3445 cm-1 showed a significant blue-shift, and the corresponding SRS signal disappeared, indicating that the HB of water was weakened, which originated from the self-association of acetone. In the meantime, the fully tetrahedral HB structure among water molecules was destroyed at the higher volume fraction (≥ 0.8). Hopefully, our study here would advance the study of HB network structures and kinetics in other aqueous solutions.