Short-ranged interactions

The popular and well-studied primitive model is a degenerate case of the SPM with = 0, shown schematically in Figure (c). The restricted primitive model (RPM) refers to the case when the ions are of equal diameter. This model can realistically represent the packing of a molten salt in which no solvent is present. For an aqueous electrolyte, the primitive model does not treat the solvent molecules exphcitly and the number density of the electrolyte is umealistically low. For modeling nano-surface interactions, short-range interactions are important and the primitive model is expected not to give adequate account of confinement effects. For its simphcity, however, many theories [18-22] and simulation studies [23-25] have been made based on the primitive model for the bulk electrolyte. Ap-phcations to electrolyte interfaces have also been widely reported [26-30]. 

As mentioned earlier, the shell model is closely related to those based on polarizable point dipoles in the limit of vanishingly small shell displacements, they are electrostatically equivalent. Important differences appear, however, when these electrostatic models are coupled to the nonelectrostatic components of a potential function. In particular, these interactions are the nonelectrostatic repulsion and van der Waals interactions—short-range interactions that are modeled collectively with a variety of functional forms. Point dipole-and EE-based models of molecular systems often use the Lennard-Jones potential. On the other hand, shell-based models frequently use the Buckingham or Born-Mayer potentials, especially when ionic systems are being modeled. 

In many cases, simulation methods are used in a complementary manner to experimental studies, with the validity of the calculations assessed by comparing simulated properties (e.g., crystal structure and activation energies) with those determined experimentally. The major factor in determining the reliability of all the simulation methods is the accuracy of the description of the interaction between the ions. The majority of studies of ionically conducting systems have utilized parameterized potentials containing explicit expressions for the various interactions (short-range repulsion. Coulomb, etc.), although recent advances in available computer power have enabled the application of ab initio methods (see Chapter 7). 

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