Gabriele Raabe

Thermodynamical and structural properties of imidazolium based ionic liquids from molecular simulation.

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations to determine the densities and heat of vaporization as well as structural information for the 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium based ionic liquids [amim][Cl] and [amim][BF(4)] in the temperature range from 298 to 363 K. In this simulation study, we used an united atom model of Liu et al. [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 8, 1096 (2006)] for the [emim(+)] and [bmim(+)] cations, which we have extended for simulation in [hmim]-ILs and combined with parameters of Canongia Lopes et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B 108, 2038 (2004)] for the [Cl(-)] anion. Our simulation results prove that both the original united atoms approach by Liu et al. and our extension yield reasonable predictions for the ionic liquid with a considerably reduced computational expense than that required for all atoms models. Radial distribution functions and spatial distribution functions where employed to analyze the local structure of this ionic liquid, and in which way it is influenced by the type of the anion, the size of the cation, and the temperature. Our simulations give evidence for the occurrence of tail aggregations in these ionic liquids with increasing length of the side chain and also increasing temperature.

Molecular dynamics simulation of the dielectric constant of water: The effect of bond flexibility

The role of bond flexibility on the dielectric constant of water is investigated via molecular dynamics simulations using a flexible intermolecular potential SPC/Fw [Y. Wu, H. L. Tepper, and G. A. Voth, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 024503 (2006)]. Dielectric constants and densities are reported for the liquid phase at temperatures of 298.15 K and 473.15 K and the supercritical phase at 673.15 K for pressures between 0.1 MPa and 200 MPa. Comparison with both experimental data and other rigid bond intermolecular potentials indicates that introducing bond flexibility significantly improves the prediction of both dielectric constants and pressure-temperature-density behavior. In some cases, the predicted densities and dielectric constants almost exactly coincide with experimental data. The results are analyzed in terms of dipole moments, quadrupole moments, and equilibrium bond angles and lengths. It appears that bond flexibility allows the molecular dipole and quadrupole moment to change with the thermodynamic state point, and thereby mimic the change of the intermolecular interactions in response to the local environment.

Molecular simulation of the vapor–liquid coexistence of mercury

The vapor‐liquid coexistence properties of mercury are determined from molecular simulation using empirical intermolecular potentials, ab initio two-body potentials, and an effective multibody intermolecular potential. Comparison with experiment shows that pair-interactions alone are inadequate to account for the vapor‐liquid coexistence properties of mercury. It is shown that very good agreement between theory and experiment can be obtained by combining an accurate two-body ab initio potential with the addition of an empirically determined multibody contribution. As a consequence of this multibody contribution, we can reliably predict mercury’s phase coexistence properties and the heats of vaporization. The pair distribution function of mercury can also be predicted with reasonable accuracy.

Influence of bond flexibility on the vapor-liquid phase equilibria of water

The authors performed Gibbs ensemble simulations on the vapor-liquid equilibrium of water to investigate the influence of incorporating intramolecular degrees of freedom in the simple point charge (SPC) water model. Results for vapor pressures, saturation densities, heats of vaporization, and the critical point for two different flexible models are compared with data for the corresponding rigid SPC and SPC/E models. They found that the introduction of internal vibrations, and also their parametrization, has an observable effect on the prediction of the vapor-liquid coexistence curve. The flexible SPC/Fw model, although optimized to describe bulk diffusion and dielectric constants at ambient conditions, gives the best prediction of saturation densities and the critical point of the examined models.

Molecular dynamics simulation of the effect of bond flexibility on the transport properties of water

Molecular dynamics simulations for the shear viscosity and self-diffusion coefficient of pure water were performed to investigate the effect of including intramolecular degrees of freedom in simple point charge (SPC) models over a wide range of state points. Results are reported for the flexible SPC/Fw model, its rigid SPC counterpart, and the widely used SPC/E model. The simulations covered the liquid phase from 277.15 to 363.15 K and the supercritical phase at 673.15 K and pressures up to 200 MPa. The flexibility exhibited by the SPC/Fw model results in slowing down of the dynamics. That is, it results in higher shear viscosities and lower diffusion coefficients than can be obtained from the rigid model, resulting in better agreement with experimental data. Significantly, the SPC/Fw model can be used to adequately predict the diffusion coefficients at ambient and supercritical temperatures over a wide range of pressures.

Thermodynamical and structural properties of binary mixtures of imidazolium chloride ionic liquids and alcohols from molecular simulation

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations to determine the densities, excess energies of mixing, and structural properties of binary mixtures of the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids (ILs) [amim][Cl] and ethanol and 1-propanol in the temperature range from 298.15 to 363.15 K. As in our previous work [J. Chem. Phys. 128, 154509 (2008)], our simulation studies are based on a united atom model from Liu et al. [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 8, 1096 (2006)] for the 1-ethyl- and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cations [emim(+)] and [bmim(+)], which we have extended to the 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium [hmim(+)] cation and combined with parameters of Canongia Lopes et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B 108, 2038 (2004)] for the chloride anion [Cl(-)] and the force field by Khare et al. for the alcohols [J. Phys. Chem. B 108, 10071 (2004)]. With this, we provide both prediction for the densities of the mixtures that have mostly not been investigated experimentally yet and a molecular picture of the interactions between the alcohol molecules and the ions. The negative excess energies of all mixtures indicate an energetically favorable mixing of [amim][Cl] ILs and alcohols. To gain insight into the nonideality of the mixtures on the molecular level, we analyzed their local structures by radial and spatial distribution functions. These analyses show that the local ordering in these mixtures is determined by strong hydrogen-bond interactions between the chloride anion and the hydroxyls of the alcohols, enhanced interactions between the anion and the charged domain of the cation, and an increasing aggregation of the nonpolar alkyl tails of the alcohols and the cations with increasing cation size, which results in a segregation of polar and nonpolar domains.

Molecular Dynamics Studies on Liquid-Phase Dynamics and Structures of Four Different Fluoropropenes and Their Binary Mixtures with R-32 and CO2

Fluoropropenes such as R-1234yf or R-1234ze(E) have attracted attention as low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants, both as pure compounds but also to an increasing extent as components in refrigerant blends. In our earlier work [Raabe, G.; Maginn, E. J. J. Phys. Chem. B 2010, 114, 10133-10142 and Raabe, G. J. Phys. Chem. B 2012, 116, 5744-5751], we have introduced a transferable force field for different fluoropropene compounds. This molecular model has already been applied for predictive molecular simulation studies on the vapor-liquid phase equilibria in binary mixtures of the tetrafluoropropenes R-1234yf or R-1234ze(E) with the difluoromethane R-32 and CO2. In this work we present molecular dynamics simulations on the liquid phase properties of the pure fluoropropenes R-1234yf, R-1234ze, R-1234ze(E), and R-1216 and their binary mixtures with CO2 and R-32. Our study covers temperatures from 273 to 313 K, pressures up to 3.5 MPa, and different mixture compositions. We provide predictions on the densities and transport properties of the pure compounds and the binary mixtures to complement experimental data. Additionally, we have analyzed radial and spatial distribution functions in the systems to gain insight into their microscopic structures and preferred interaction sites.

Round Robin Study: Molecular Simulation of Thermodynamic Properties from Models with Internal Degrees of Freedom

Thermodynamic properties are often modeled by classical force fields which describe the interactions on the atomistic scale. Molecular simulations are used for retrieving thermodynamic data from such models, and many simulation techniques and computer codes are available for that purpose. In the present round robin study, the following fundamental question is addressed: Will different user groups working with different simulation codes obtain coinciding results within the statistical uncertainty of their data? A set of 24 simple simulation tasks is defined and solved by five user groups working with eight molecular simulation codes: DL_POLY, GROMACS, IMC, LAMMPS, ms2, NAMD, Tinker, and TOWHEE. Each task consists of the definition of (1) a pure fluid that is described by a force field and (2) the conditions under which that property is to be determined. The fluids are four simple alkanes: ethane, propane, n-butane, and iso-butane. All force fields consider internal degrees of freedom: OPLS, TraPPE, and a modified OPLS version with bond stretching vibrations. Density and potential energy are determined as a function of temperature and pressure on a grid which is specified such that all states are liquid. The user groups worked independently and reported their results to a central instance. The full set of results was disclosed to all user groups only at the end of the study. During the study, the central instance gave only qualitative feedback. The results reveal the challenges of carrying out molecular simulations. Several iterations were needed to eliminate gross errors. For most simulation tasks, the remaining deviations between the results of the different groups are acceptable from a practical standpoint, but they are often outside of the statistical errors of the individual simulation data. However, there are also cases where the deviations are unacceptable. This study highlights similarities between computer experiments and laboratory experiments, which are both subject not only to statistical error but also to systematic error.

Molecular simulation studies in hydrofluoroolefine (HFO) working fluids and their blends

Hydrofluoroolefines (HFOs) are considered as fourth generation of working fluids, either as pure compounds or as components in refrigerant blends. However, limited information on the thermophysical properties of newly introduced hydrofluoroolefine compounds and their mixtures impedes the exploration of their performance in technical applications. Molecular simulation studies have proven to yield reliable predictions on the phase behavior and transport properties of pure hydrofluoroolefines and also of hydrochlorofluoroolefine compounds and their mixture with “conventional refrigerants” to complement limited experimental data. In this article, the current stage of the force field development for hydrofluoroolefines and hydrochlorofluoroolefine components are discussed, an overview of simulation studies on both, pure compounds and mixtures that were already performed based on this molecular model are provided. The extension of the force field to trifluoroethene hydrofluoroolefines HFO-1123 is introduced, and new simulation results for the mixtures R-134a + hydrofluoroolefines-1234ze(E) and hydrofluoroolefines-1234yf + hydrofluoroolefines-1234ze(E) are presented.

Use of ab initio interaction energies for the prediction of phase equilibria in the system nitrogen–ethane

Ab initio molecular orbital methods have been used for calculations of interaction parameters of the UNIQUAC and NRTL activity coefficient model to predict phase equilibria in the system nitrogen–ethane. The UNIQUAC and NRTL model with ab initio parameters, calculated on the MP4 and QCISD(T) theory level, have been used in different gE-mixing rules to predict high-pressure vapor–liquid- (VLE) and vapor–liquid–liquid-equilibria (VLLE) by the Peng–Robinson and the Soave–Redlich–Kwong equation of state. The results have been compared to predictions based on UNIFAC with the PSRK-mixing rule. The results using ab initio-UNIQUAC are poor. However, ab initio-NRTL gives good VLE-predictions with all gE-mixing rules and with both equations of state. Only in the temperature range below 133 K, where the VLLE occur, is ab initio-NRTL inferior to the predictions by UNIFAC.