Molecular-level modeling calculations

A predictive molecular thermodynamics approach is developed for microemulsions, to determine their structural and compositional characteristics [3.7]. The theory is built upon a molecular level model for the free energy change. For illustrative purposes, numerical calculations are performed for the system water, cyclohexane, sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant, pentanol as cosurfactant and NaCl as electrolyte. The droplet radius, the thickness of the surfactant layer at the interface, the number of molecules of various species in the droplets, and the distribution of the components between droplets and the continuous phase are calculated. The theory also predicts the transition from a mi-... 

Molecular level computer simulations based on molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo methods have become widely used techniques in the study and modeling of aqueous systems. These simulations of water involve a few hundred to a few thousand water molecules at liquid density. Because one can form statistical mechanical averages with arbitrary precision from the generated coordinates, it is possible to calculate an exact answer. The value of a given simulation depends on the potential functions contained in the Hamiltonian for the model. The potential describing the interaction between water molecules is thus an essential component of all molecular level models of aqueous systems. 

Within the last two decades, enormous progress has been achieved in the ability to calculate the structures, the properties (e.g., thermodynamic, mechanical, transportation properties), and the reactivity of solids starting from atomistic approaches. The molecular-level models can be classified into three categories. 

With the improvement in hardware and software tools, the ab initio electronic structure calculations will gain importance because they can deal with increasingly complex systems and yield higher precision in the result. Along with this trend, the hybrid techniques will grow in relevance. It is expected that the hybrid methods will play an important role in the molecular-level modelling of SOFCs in the near future. 

The solvophobic model of Hquid-phase nonideaHty takes into account solute—solvent interactions on the molecular level. In this view, all dissolved molecules expose microsurface area to the surrounding solvent and are acted on by the so-called solvophobic forces (41). These forces, which involve both enthalpy and entropy effects, are described generally by a branch of solution thermodynamics known as solvophobic theory. This general solution interaction approach takes into account the effect of the solvent on partitioning by considering two hypothetical steps. Eirst, cavities in the solvent must be created to contain the partitioned species. Second, the partitioned species is placed in the cavities, where interactions can occur with the surrounding solvent. The idea of solvophobic forces has been used to estimate such diverse physical properties as absorbabiHty, Henry s constant, and aqueous solubiHty (41—44). A principal drawback is calculational complexity and difficulty of finding values for the model input parameters. 

Additional control of the nucleophilic substitution pathways a and b should be possible by varying the properties of the heteroarylium moiety in 33 as well as the substituent R and, to a minor extent, by the nature of the C-bonded halogen. Tire cation of 7a appeared to be an especially useful model compound and was thus selected in order to systematically study these influences and to define a standard situation. Structure 7a is easily accessible in excellent yield, and its molecular size allowed high-level MO calculations. 

While thin polymer films may be very smooth and homogeneous, the chain conformation may be largely distorted due to the influence of the interfaces. Since the size of the polymer molecules is comparable to the film thickness those effects may play a significant role with ultra-thin polymer films. Several recent theoretical treatments are available [136-144,127,128] based on Monte Carlo [137-141,127, 128], molecular dynamics [142], variable density [143], cooperative motion [144], and bond fluctuation [136] model calculations. The distortion of the chain conformation near the interface, the segment orientation distribution, end distribution etc. are calculated as a function of film thickness and distance from the surface. In the limit of two-dimensional systems chains segregate and specific power laws are predicted [136, 137]. In 2D-blends of polymers a particular microdomain morphology may be expected [139]. Experiments on polymers in this area are presently, however, not available on a molecular level. Indications of order on an... 

Spectroscopic techniques, carried out in in situ and operando conditions, obviously represent powerful tools for the description of the reactions and the catalysts in running conditions. In fact, the exigency of the scientist to look at the chemical process at a molecular level cannot only address the traditional kinetics modelling, where the reactor itself behaves as a black box. The use of spectroscopy allows monitoring the catalytic material under duty, directly revealing species and transformations, which can then support the hypothesis made for mathematical calculations applied to a kinetic model [1],... 

It was shown that in heat transfer with phase change it is necessary to understand the phase-change phenomenon on the molecular level to model effectively the mass- and heat-transfer processes. An analytical expression for the rates of vaporization and condensation was developed. It was also shown that the assumption of a saturated vapor phase greatly simplified the calculation without a significant loss in accuracy for given examples. However, experimental verification of this simplified assumption is currently lacking. 

The significance of the development of photoelectron spectroscopy over the last decade for a better understanding of solid surfaces, adsorption, surface reactivity, and heterogeneous catalysis has been discussed. The review is illustrative rather than exhaustive, but nevertheless it is clear that during this period XPS and UPS have matured into well-accepted experimental methods capable of providing chemical information at the molecular level down to 10% or less of a monolayer. The information in its most rudimentary state provides a qualitative model of the surface at a more sophisticated level quantitative estimates are possible of the concentration of surface species by making use of escape depth and photoionization cross-section data obtained either empirically or by calculation. 

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