Methanol-water solutions: A bi-percolating liquid mixture

Abstract

Isotope-labeled neutron diffraction measurements were analyzed using the empirical potential structural refinement method. The measurements were combined and compared with independent molecular dynamics simulations at identical state points to explore structure in methanol-water mixtures at several concentrations. Highly heterogeneous mixing across the entire concentration range was found despite apparent miscibility of both components in all proportions. The results show that the observed concentration dependence of several of the material properties of the solution has a structural origin.