Dielectric Characteristics of a Silica–Water Nanocomposite

Abstract

The dielectric properties of an amorphous nanoporous silica/water composite are studied. The dielectric constant of SiO₂ is shown to rise from 10 (for a pretreated sample) to 10⁵ upon raising humidity to ~80%. The results demonstrate the possibility of obtaining a superparaelectric state of water molecules in silica nanopores.