Self-diffusion slowdown in liquid indium and gallium metals under nanoconfinement

Atomic mobility and self-diffusion was studied by NMR for nanostructured liquid gallium and indium embedded into nanoporous matrices—porous glasses and artificial opals. Drastic increase in the correlation time of atomic mobility was found compared to the relevant bulk melts that depends on pore size. Additional alterations were observed at temperatures when confined melts were partially frozen.