The goal of this group is to study the molecular-scale properties of water, ice and aqueous systems like hydrated ions, membranes and proteins. The research is carried out using spectroscopic techniques including femtosecond (nonlinear)  vibrational spectroscopy,  surface sum-frequency generation and GHz-THz dielectric relaxation spectroscopy.

Key publications of Huib Bakker’s group:

  • Ultrafast vibrational energy transfer at the water/air interface revealed by two-dimensional surface vibrational spectroscopy, Z. Zhang, L. Piatkowski, H.J. Bakker and M. Bonn, Nature Chemistry 3, 888-893 (2011)
  • Influence of Concentration and Temperature on the Dynamics of Water in the Hydrophobic Hydration Shell of Tetramethylurea, K.J. Tielrooij, J. Hunger, R. Buchner, M. Bonn, and H.J. Bakker,J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132,15671-15678  (2010)
  • Cooperativity in Ion Hydration, K.-J. Tielrooij, N. Garcia-Araez, M. Bonn and H.J. Bakker, Science 328, 1006 (2010)
  • The vibrational response of hydrogen-bonded interfacial water is dominated by intramolecular coupling, M. Sovago, R.K. Campen, G.W.H. Wurpel , M. Muller, H.J. Bakker and M. Bonn, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 173901 (2008)
  • Observation of immobilized water molecules around hydrophobic groups, Y.L.A. Rezus and H.J. Bakker, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 148301 (2007)

Review articles of Huib Bakker’s group:

  • Vibrational Spectroscopy as a Probe of Structure and Dynamics in Liquid Water, H.J. Bakker and J.L. Skinner, Chem. Rev. 110, 1498 (2010)
  • Structural Dynamics of Aqueous Salt Solutions, H.J. Bakker, Chem. Rev. 108, 1456 (2008)
  • Cooperativity in ion hydration, K.J. Tielrooij, N. Garcia-Araez, M. Bonn, and H.J. Bakker, Science 164, 283 (2010)
  • Structural dynamics of the proton in liquid water probed with terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, K.J. Tielrooij, R.L.A. Timmer, H.J. Bakker, and M. Bonn, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 198303 (2009)
  • Observation of immobilized water around hydrophobic groups, Y.L.A. Rezus and H.J. Bakker, Phys. rev. Lett. 99, 148301 (2007)

Group Members

  • Gravitation proposal ANION honored

    Read more

  • Caffeine makes water fall asleep

    Contrary to the well-known stimulating effect on humans, caffeine slows down the movement of water molecules. Researchers from the NWO Institute AMOLF in Amsterdam and the ESPCI in Paris report …

    Read more

  • Watermoleculen vallen in slaap door cafeïne

    In tegenstelling tot het bekende oppeppende effect op mensen, vertraagt cafeïne de beweging van watermoleculen. Dat beschrijven onderzoekers van het NWO-instituut AMOLF in Amsterdam en het ESPCI in Parijs in …

    Read more

  • Ice skating on water, even when it is really cold

    Read more

Read more news articles