c(2×2) water-hydroxyl layer on Cu(110): a wetting layer stabilized by Bjerrum defects

Understanding the composition and stability of mixed water-hydroxyl layers is a key step in describing wetting and how surfaces respond to redox processes. Here we show that, instead of forming a complete hydrogen bonding network, structures containing an excess of water over hydroxyl are stabilized on Cu(110) by forming a distorted hexagonal network of water-hydroxyl trimers containing Bjerrum defects. This arrangement maximizes the number of strong bonds formed by water donation to OH and provides uncoordinated OH groups able to hydrogen bond multilayer water and nucleate growth.     

Hydration of neurotransmitters: a computational and spectroscopic study of a noradrenaline analogue, 2-amino-1-phenyl-ethanol

Singly and multiply hydrated clusters of the noradrenaline analogue, 2-amino-I-phenyl-ethanol (APE) have been studied using a combination of resonant two-photon ionization time of flight spectroscopy (R2PI-TOF), infrared ion-dip spectroscopy and ab initio quantum chemical calculation. Singly hydrated clusters populate two distinct structures: the water molecule either hydrogen-bonds to the ethanol group in the extended AG conformer (leaving the intramolecular OH → N hydrogen bond intact) or inserts into the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the (distorted) ethanolamine side chain (promoting a weak NH → O bond). The observed doubly and triply hydrated clusters both display insertion structures only, with the water molecules arrayed as linear chains, hydrogen bonded to the functional groups of the side-chain and again promoting a weak NH → O bond along the distorted ethanolamine side-chain. The infrared spectrum of the 1:4 cluster of APE, which is very similar to that of the corresponding cluster of ephedrine, includes new features in the ‘window region’ (3500–3700 cm^?1), indicating the onset of a three-dimensional assembly. Comparisons with ab initio computed spectra favour a structure that incorporates a cyclic water tetramer linked to the two functional groups on the ethanolamine side-chain.     

How polar hydroxyl groups affect surface hydrophobicity on model talc surfaces

Based on molecular dynamics simulations, we have studied the wetting behaviors of water on the talc-like surface with different surface polarity by modifying the charge distribution of surface hydroxyl (–OH) groups. With the change of the charge of the hydrogen atom (denoted as δ_q) in –OH group, the contact angle decreases from 91° to 50° and then remains constant. On the surfaces with the larger charge of hydrogen atoms (δ_q ≥ 0.2 e), a water droplet is formed above a water monolayer, which is exactly contacted on the surface. Each water molecule in the monolayer forms one hydrogen bond (H bond) with surface –OH groups, without participating in any H bond with the water molecules within the monolayer or with the water molecules above the monolayer. The polarity of the –OH group also has a great influence on the dynamic behaviors of the interface water, such as residence time, hydrogen bond lifetime and self-diffusion coefficient. The diffusion of water molecules in the water monolayer near the highly polar surface is greatly suppressed, and the residence time of water molecules in the water monolayer even exceeds 12 ns.     

Proton transport through water-filled carbon nanotubes

Proton transfer along 1D chains of water molecules inside carbon nanotubes is studied by simulations. Ab initio molecular dynamics and an empirical valence bond model yield similar structures and time scales. The proton mobility along 1D water chains exceeds that in bulk water by a factor of 40, but is reduced if orientational defects are present. Excess protons interact with hydrogen-bonding defects through long-range electrostatics, resulting in coupled motion of protons and defects.     

Statistical mechanics of hydrogen bond networks

The static and dynamic properties of several hydrogen bond network models, based on thesquare ice model of Lieb [Phys. Rev.162, 162 (1967)] are studied. The two dimensionalsquare water (SW) model and the three-dimensioaalbrick water (BW) model were analyzed by means of Monte Carlo simulations. A simplified vesion of SW (simplified square water, SSW) can be solved exactly. All models yield similar thermodynamic results which can be derived-alternatively-from an independent bond approach due to Angell [J. Chem. Phys.75, 3698 (1971)]. We suggest the existence of a universality class of hydrogen bond networks that can be described by this theory, and which may include the liquid state of water. The mean lifetime of a hydrogen bond exhibits an Arrhenius temperature dependence. Comparison with experimental data on water provides an absolute time scale for the Monte Carlo simulations. The possible use of these models in simulations of protein-solvent systems is discussed.     

乙二醇分子间氢键结构与溶剂效应

采用密度泛函理论在B3LYP/6-311++G~(**)水平上研究乙二醇在气相中分别与乙腈、丙酮、四氢呋喃、水、乙二醇形成氢键二聚体的结构性质,根据PCM(polarized continuum model)极化统一场模型讨论氢键溶剂效应.结果表明,五种氢键二聚体分子中的氢键属于红移氢键,溶剂使氢键二聚体分子的偶极矩变大,并对OH振动频率的影响不大.     

乙二醇分子间氢键结构与溶剂效应

采用密度泛函理论在B3LYP/6-311++G** (范德华校正)水平上研究乙二醇在气相中分别与乙腈、丙酮、四氢呋喃、水、乙二醇形成氢键二聚体的结构性质,根据PCM 极化统一场模型讨论氢键溶剂效应。结果表明,五种氢键二聚体分子中的氢键属于红移氢键,溶剂使氢键二聚体分子的偶极矩变大,并对OH振动频率的影响不大。     

Effect of an electric field on dewetting transition of nitrogen-water system

We investigate the influence of an external electric field on the dewetting behavior of nitrogen-water systems between two hydrophobic plates using molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that the critical distance of dewetting increases obviously with the electric field strength, indicating that the effective range of hydrophobic attraction is extended. The mechanism behind this interesting phenomenon is related to the rearrangement of hydrogen bond networks between water molecules induced by the external electric field. Changes in the hydrogen bond networks and in the dipole orientation of the water molecules result in the redistribution of the neutral nitrogen molecules, especially in the region close to the hydrophobic plates. Our findings may be helpful for understanding the effects of the electric field on the long-range hydrophobic interactions.     

The chemisorption of hydrogen on silicon and silicon carbide (1 0 0) surfaces

The chemisorption of hydrogen onto semiconductor surfaces is examined. The hydrogen bonds to the dangling bond of a surface atom. These dangling bonds also dictate the reconstruction of the crystal surface. The chemisorbed hydrogen therefore modifies the reconstructed surface topology. In this work theoretical calculations of the surface structures of both covalent elemental silicon and polar silicon carbide are presented. The periodic MINDO method is employed to determine the topologies for the 2 × 1 reconstructed (1 0 0) surfaces. These topologies are obtained from the minimisation of the total energy, for silicon and silicon carbide films of 14 layer thickness, with respect to the atomic co-ordinates of the hydrogen adsorbate and the first four layers of the substrate. The results show that the formation of the hydrogen bond to the substrate leads to a general lengthening of the surface dimer bond. In addition, the buckling of the silicon dimer determined for silicon terminated SiC is removed by hydrogen chemisorption.     

Hydrogen adsorption and surface structures of silicon

The adsorption of atomic hydrogen on silicon (111)2 × 1 cleaved, (111) 7 × 7, and (100) 2 × 1 surfaces has been studied by using electron energy loss spectrscopy (ELS) and Photoemission spectroscopy (UPS). On all surfaces the hydrogen removes the “dangling bond” surface state and a new peak in the density of states at lower energies corresponding to the SiH bond is found. The LEED pattern of the equilibrium surfaces (111) 7 × 7 and (100) 2 × 1 is not altered by hydrogen adsorption, while on the cleaved (111) 2 × 1 surface the fractional order spots are extinguished. The Haneman surface-buckling model therefore provides an explanation for the surface reconstruction of the cleaved (111) 2 × 1 surfaces. For the equilibrium surfaces, (111) 7 × 7 and the (100) 2 × 1, the data are consistent with the Lander-Phillips model.     

Water behavior in the neighborhood of hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes: Lessons from molecular dynamics simulations

The study of properties of water in the vicinity of surfaces poses a fascinating challenge. In this article we studied the behavior of water molecules in the neighborhood of membranes. We addressed the question of how these water molecules are influenced by the membranes’ hydrophilicity. Three systems were studied through molecular dynamics simulations: water in the presence of a hydrophilic membrane (PL), water in the presence of a hydrophobic (PB) one and water in the absence of membranes (BULK). Additionally, in order to study the dependence of the effect of the membrane on the behavior of neighboring water molecules with temperature, each system was simulated at three different temperatures (K): 250, 300 and 350. For each condition, kinetic and structural features were studied. The first feature involved the calculation of diffusion coefficients and activation energy. The second feature was evaluated through the study of water density and hydrogen bond distribution. From the present study we concluded that: (1) density studies underestimate the influence of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes on the neighboring water molecules; (2) the hydrophilic and hydrophobic membranes disturb the hydrogen bond network within distances ranging from 1 to 8 nm, depending on the nature of the membrane and the temperature conditions; (3) the presence of a hydrophobic surface results in an enhancement of the natural hydrogen bond network present in liquid water, to a greater extent than what even an ordered Ih ice structure is able to achieve (i.e. PL membrane); (4) the structural enhancement due to the presence of a hydrophobic surface involves roughly 18 to 24 water hydration layers, for ambient and above temperature conditions.     

The effect of water on some properties of oriented nylon

Samples of 66 nylon were oriented by rolling to produce structures in which the polymer chains are preferentially in the machine direction and the hydrogen bonds are in the transverse direction. Conditioning to 50 or 100% relative humidity (R.H.) produces anisotropic swelling with the transverse direction expanding much less than the other two directions. The dependence on temperature of the tensile modulus in the machine and transverse directions was examined for specimens which were dry, conditioned to 50% R.H., and saturated with water. At high temperatures, the modulus was larger in the transverse direction. At-40°C, it was larger in the machine direction and increased with increasing moisture. The data are interpreted in terms of crystals which have their largest dimension in the hydrogen bond direction.     

Analysis of water molecules around GTP in Hras-GTP complex and GDP in Hras-GDP complex by molecular dynamics simulations

We investigate the structures of the Hras-GTP and the Hras-GDP complexes in water solvents in order to understand the mechanism of GTP hydrolysis in the Hras-GTP complex. We performed MD simulations of these complexes in order to study the positions and the orientations of water molecules around the guanosine nucleotides. Using trajectories we calculated the angular distribution of water molecules around the most distant phosphorus from guanosine in our previous work. It was shown that water molecules are distributed evenly in GTP, although unevenly in GDP. This suggests that the trigger of GTP hydrolysis is possibly the attack of water molecule to γ?phosphate from the appropriate direction. In this paper, in order to investigate the role of water molecules in GTP hydrolysis in detail, we calculate the orientation of water molecules. The distribution of the orientation is different between GTP and GDP. In order to investigate the cause of this difference, we examine the hydrogen bonds between water molecules and oxygen atom of the most distant phosphate from guanosine. We find that these hydrogen bonds are formed. We also find that the oxygen atom of hydrogen bond is determined by the position of the water molecule of hydrogen bond.     

Molecular simulation study of the adhesion work for water droplets on water monolayer at room temperature

The wetting phenomenon of water droplets coexisting with the ordered water monolayer termed an unexpected phenomenon of "water that does not wet a water monolayer" at room temperature has been found on several solid surfaces.Although the hydrogen bond saturation inside the monolayer can qualitatively describe this phenomenon, whether the Young–Dupré equation still holds under this unconventional wetting framework is still not answered. In this work, we have calculated the contact angle values of the droplets as well as the work of adhesion between the droplets and the monolayer based on an extended phantom-wall method. The results show that similar to the conventional solid–liquid interface,classical Young–Dupré equation is also applicable for the interface of liquid water and ordered water monolayer.     

Quantum Differences between Heavy and Light Water

The structures of heavy and light water at ambient conditions are investigated with the combined techniques of x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and computer simulation. It is found that heavy water is a more structured liquid than light water. We find the OH bond length in H2O is approximately 3% longer than the OD bond length in D2O. This is a much larger change than current predictions. Corresponding to this, the hydrogen bond in light water is approximately 4% shorter than in heavy water, while the intermolecular HH distance is approximately 2% longer.     

Influence of hydrogen bonding on the generation and stabilization of liquid crystalline polyesters,poly(esteramide)s and polyacrylates

Induction and stabilization of liquid crystallinity through hydrogen bonding (HB) are now well-established. Interesting observations made on the influence of HB on LC behaviour of amido diol-based poly(esteramide)s, poly(esteramide)s containing nitro groups and azobenzene mesogen-based polyacrylates will be discussed. The use of amido diol as an important precursor for the synthesis of novel PEAs containing inbuilt di-amide linkage enabled generation of extensive hydrogen bondings between the amide-amide and amide-ester groups which stabilized the mesophase structures of the PEAs. The contributions of hydrogen bonding to the generation and stabilization of mesophase structures were plainly evident from the observation of liquid crystallinity even in PEAs prepared from fully aliphatic amido diols. Replacement of terephthaloyl units by isophthaloyl moiety totally vanquished liquid crystalline phases while biphenylene and naphthalene units did only reduce the transition temperatures as expected. The occurrence of the smectic phases in some of the polymers indicated possibly self-assembly through the formation of hetero intermolecular hydrogen bonded networks. A smectic polymorphism and in addition, a smectic-to-nematic transition, were observed in the monomers and polymers based on 1,4-phenylene[bis-(3-nitroanthranilidic acid)] containing nitro groups. A smectic polymorphism was also observed as a combined effect of hydrogen bonded carboxyl groups and laterally substituted alkyl side chains in the case of azobenzene mesogen containing side chain polyacrylates. It was further shown that the presence of the mesophase enhances the non-linear optical (NLO) response of these polymers.     

Deuterium isotope effects on iron core formation in ferritin

We present comparative Mössbauer investigations of nanosized FeOOH and FeOOD biomineral phases nucleated within the 7-nm diameter cavity of horse-spleen apoferritin in order to assess deuterium isotopic effects on nanoscale, bioinorganic lattice structures with extended hydrogen bond networks. Differences in magnetic anisotropy energy, packing density and degree of crystallinity in the resulting iron oxo-hydroxide nanophases obtained via D₂O (heavy water) vs. H₂O (light water) solution chemistry are noted. These observations point to the possibility of stabilizing new thermodynamic states in the solid-state by utilizing isotope effects, with important implications for new synthetic pathways to novel nano materials.     

Molecular dynamics study of water in contact with the TiO2 rutile-110, 100, 101, 001 and anatase-101, 001 surface

We have carried out classical molecular dynamics of various surfaces of TiO₂ with its interface with water. We report the geometrical features of the first and second monolayers of water using a Matsui Akaogi (MA) force field for the TiO₂ surface and a flexible single point charge model for the water molecules. We show that the MA force field can be applied to surfaces other than rutile (110). It was found that water OH bond lengths, H–O–H bond angles and dipole moments do not vary due to the nature of the surface. However, their orientation within the first and second monolayers suggest that planar rutile (001) and anatase (001) surfaces may play an important role in not hindering removal of the products formed on these surfaces. Also, we discuss the effect of surface termination in order to explain the layering of water molecules throughout the simulation box.     

Hydrogen-bond dynamics near a micellar surface: origin of the universal slow relaxation at complex aqueous interfaces

The dynamics of hydrogen bonds among water molecules themselves and with the polar head groups (PHG) at a micellar surface have been investigated by long molecular dynamics simulations. The lifetime of the hydrogen bond between a PHG and a water molecule is found to be much longer than that between any two water molecules, and is likely to be a general feature of hydrophilic surfaces of organized assemblies. Analyses of individual water trajectories suggest that water molecules can remain bound to the micellar surface for more than 100 ps. The activation energy for such a transition from the bound to a free state for the water molecules is estimated to be about 3.5 kcal/mol.