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Molecular Dynamics simulations of glycerol confined in $\gamma$-Al$_2$O$_3$slit nanopores are used to explain controversial and inconsistent observationsreported in the literature regarding the dynamics of viscous fluids in confinedgeometries. Analysing the effects of the degree of confinement and poresaturation in this system, we found that the presence of the solid/liquidinterface and the liquid/gas interface in partially saturated pores are themain contributors for the disruption of the hydrogen bond network of glycerol.Despite the reduction of hydrogen bonds between glycerol molecules caused bythe presence of the solid, glycerol molecules near the solid surface canestablish hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups of $\gamma$-Al$_2$O$_3$ thatsignificantly slow-down the dynamics of the confined fluid compared to the bulkliquid. On the other hand, the disruption of the hydrogen bond network causedby the liquid/gas interface in unsaturated pores reduces significantly thenumber of hydrogen bonds between glycerol molecules and results in a fasterdynamics than in the bulk liquid. Therefore, we suggest that the discrepanciesreported in the literature are a consequence of measurements carried out underdifferent pore saturation conditions.

Self-Diffusion of Glycerol in $\gamma$-Alumina Nanopores: Understanding the Effect of Pore Saturation on the Dynamics of Confined Polyalcohols