Molecular dynamics simulations of water confined in nanometer sized, hydrophobic channels show that water forms localized cavities for pore diameter $\gtrsim 2.0\mathrm{nm}$. The cavities present nonspherical shape and lay preferentially adjacent to the confining wall inducing a peculiar form to the liquid exposed surface. The regime of localized cavitation appears to be correlated with the formation of a vapor layer, as predicted by the Lum-Chandler-Weeks theory [J. Phys. Chem. B 103, 4570 (1999)], implying partial filling of the pore.

• Received 16 January 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.76.195403