Solvation of carbon nanoparticles in water/alcohol mixtures: Using molecular simulation to probe energetics, structure, and dynamics

Published

September 20, 2017

Author(s)

Kevin R. Hinkle, Frederick R. Phelan Jr.

Abstract

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to examine the solvation behavior of carbon nanoparticles in a range of water/alcohol solvent compositions. Results indicate that the alcohols assume the role of pseudo-surfactants by shielding the nanotube from the more unfavorable interactions with polar water molecules. This is evident in both the relative solvation energies (ΔΔG_(water→xOH)= -68.1 kJ/mol and -86.5 kJ/mol for C60 in methanol and ethanol; ΔΔG_(water→xOH)= -345.6 kJ/mol and -421.2 kJ/mol for the (6,5)-SWCNT in methanol and ethanol) and the composition of the solvation shell at intermediate alcohol concentrations. Additionally, we have observed the retardation of both the translational and rotational dynamics of molecules near the nanoparticle surface through use of time correlation functions. A three-fold increase in the residence times of the alcohol molecules within the solvation shells at low concentrations further reveals their surfactant-like behavior. Such interactions are important when considering the complex molecular environment present in many schemes used for nanoparticle purification techniques.

Citation

Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Volume

121

Issue

41

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b07769

Keywords

hydrophobic hydration, interfacial phenomena, molecular dynamics, carbon nanoparticles

Citation

Hinkle, K. and Phelan, F. (2017), Solvation of carbon nanoparticles in water/alcohol mixtures: Using molecular simulation to probe energetics, structure, and dynamics, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, [online], https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b07769 (Accessed April 23, 2024)