Molecular dynamics simulations of shock waves in oriented nitromethane single crystals

The structural relaxation of crystalline nitromethane initially at T = 200 K subjected to moderate (~15 GPa) supported shocks on the (100), (010), and (001) crystal planes has been studied using microcanonical molecular dynamics with the nonreactive Sorescu-Rice-Thompson force field [D. C. Sorescu, B. M. Rice, and D. L. Thompson, J. Phys. Chem. B 104, 8406 (2000)]. The responses to the shocks were determined by monitoring the mass density, the intermolecular, intramolecular, and total temperatures (average kinetic energies), the partitioning of total kinetic energy among Cartesian directions, the radial distribution functions for directions perpendicular to those of shock propagation, the mean-square displacements in directions perpendicular to those of shock propagation, and the time dependence of molecular rotational relaxation as a function of time. The results show that the mechanical response of crystalline nitromethane strongly depends on the orientation of the shock wave. Shocks propagating along [100] and [001] result in translational disordering in some crystal planes but not in others, a phenomenon that we refer to as plane-specific disordering; whereas for [010] the shock-induced stresses are relieved by a complicated structural rearrangement that leads to a paracrystalline structure. The plane-specific translational disordering is more complete by the end of the simulations (~6 ps) for shock propagation along [001] than along [100]. Transient excitation of the intermolecular degrees of freedom occurs in the immediate vicinity of the shock front for all three orientations; the effect is most pronounced for the [010] shock. In all three cases excitation of molecular vibrations occurs more slowly than the intermolecular excitation. The intermolecular and intramolecular temperatures are nearly equal by the end of the simulations, with 400-500 K of net shock heating. Results for two-dimensional mean-square molecular center-of-mass displacements, calculated as a function of time since shock wave passage in planes perpendicular to the direction of shock propagation, show that the molecular translational mobility in the picoseconds following shock wave passage is greatest for [001] and least for the [010] case. In all cases the root-mean-square center-of-mass displacement is small compared to the molecular diameter of nitromethane on the time scale of the simulations. The calculated time scales for the approach to thermal equilibrium are generally consistent with the predictions of a recent theoretical analysis due to Hooper [J. Chem. Phys. 132, 014507 (2010)].     

Novel crystalline carbon-cage structure synthesized from laser-driven shock wave loading of graphite

We report a novel crystalline carbon-cage structure synthesized from laser-driven shock wave loading of a graphite-copper mixture to about 14+/-2 GPa and 1000 +/- 200 K. Quite unexpectedly, it can be structurally related to an extremely compressed three-dimensional C60 polymer with random displacement of C atoms around average positions equivalent to those of distorted C60 cages. Thus, the present carbon-cage structure represents a structural crossing point between graphite interlayer bridging and C60 polymerization as the two ways of forming diamond from two-dimensional and molecular carbon.     

Molecular simulation of the influence of interface faceting on the shock sensitivity of a model plastic bonded explosive

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to model the shock loading of an interface with various degrees of nanometer scale faceting between an inert binder and an energetic crystal. The facets create regions of local compression that induce exothermic reaction that leads to local hotspots and an increased shock sensitivity to detonation. Two mechanisms for compression and hotspot formation are identified that depend on the shock impedance mismatch between the binder and energetic crystal, namely shock focusing and local compression of the facets. These results provide a possible explanation for why spherical RDX crystals in cast polymer-bonded explosives appear less shock sensitive than RDX with more faceted morphologies.     

HMX和HMX/HTPB PBX的晶体缺陷理论研究

建立空位和掺杂点缺陷模型, 用分子动力学(MD)方法, 研究晶体缺陷对β-环四亚甲基硝胺(HMX)和β-HMX/HTPB(端羟基聚丁二烯)高聚物粘结炸药(PBX)的力学性能和爆炸性能的影响. 结果表明, 相对于HMX“完美”晶体(1)考察缺陷晶体(2和3), 以及相对于HMX完美晶体基PBX(1)考察缺陷PBX 2和PBX 3, 均发现弹性系数和(拉伸、体积、剪切)模量下降, 导致体系刚性减弱, 延展性和韧性增强. 这与在基炸药HMX晶体(1, 2和3)中分别加入HTPB高聚物粘结剂形成PBX 1, PBX 2和PBX 3呈现类似的相应的变化趋势和效果. 此外, 研究表明, 爆炸性质也依赖于体系的组成和结构. 因加入的是低能高聚物, 故PBX(1), PBX(2)和PBX(3)的爆热、爆速和爆压均比相应的基炸药(1, 2和3)低, 即晶体(1)＞PBX(1), 晶体(2)＞PBX(2), 晶体(3)＞PBX(3). PBX(1), PBX(2), PBX(3)与对应基炸药(1, 2, 3)的爆速和爆压取相同变化次序, 亦即PBX(1)＞PBX(2)＞PBX(3)对应于晶体(1)＞晶体(2)＞晶体(3). 这些计算结果和规律对PBX配方设计显然具有指导作用.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Energetic Solids

A continuing objective in the area of energetic materials is to reduce sensitivity toward impact and shock. One approach is to develop a better understanding of how factors related to the crystal lattice, e.g., defects, influence the initiation and propagation of detonation. Molecular dynamics is a useful tool for this purpose. This paper presents an overview of molecular dynamics treatments of energetic solids. Some of these have simulated initiation and propagation in idealized systems; others have focused on developing a satisfactory procedure for describing molecular crystals of practical significance. Our emphasis in this discussion is on the progress that has been made along the second lines.     

Computational studies on the crystal structure, thermodynamic properties, detonation performance, and pyrolysis mechanism of 2,4,6,8-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacubane as a novel high energy density material

Studies have suggested that octanitrocubane (ONC) is one of the most powerful non-nuclear high energy density material (HEDM) currently known. 2,4,6,8-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacubane (TNTAC) studied in this work may also be a novel HEDM due to its high nitrogen content and crystal density. Density functional theory and molecular mechanics methods have been employed to study the crystal structure, IR spectrum, electronic structure, thermodynamic properties, gas-phase and condensed-phase heat of formation, detonation performance, and pyrolysis mechanism of TNTAC. The TNTAC has a predicted density of about 2.12 g/cm(3), and its detonation velocity (10.42 km/s) and detonation pressure (52.82 GPa) are higher than that of ONC. The crystalline packing is P2(1)2(1)2(1), and the corresponding cell parameters are Z = 4, a = 8.87 ?, b = 8.87 ?, and c = 11.47 ?. Both the density of states of the predicted crystal and the bond dissociation energy of the molecule in gas phase show that the cage C-N bond is the trigger bond during thermolysis. The activation energy of the pyrolysis initiation reaction obtained from the B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2p) level is 125.98 kJ/mol, which indicates that TNTAC meets the thermal stability request as an exploitable HEDM.     

Conformational pseudopolymorphism and orientational disorder in two-dimensional alkyl carbamate crystals

The structures of self-assembled physisorbed monolayers of alkyl carbamates were examined with atomic detail by scanning tunneling microscopy at the liquid-solid interface. Through systematic variation of molecular structure, the factors determining the two-dimensional crystal packing and dynamics of alkyl carbamate monolayers were isolated. Two different conformational pseudopolymorphs on the surface were observed and their order of stability was varied by changing the length of the alkyl groups. The relative size of the two alkyl groups in a molecule affected the frequency of orientational flipping within a column, which in turn, exerts an influence on the relative orientation of the two-dimensional crystalline domains. These phenomena were explained on the basis of the preferred hydrogen-bonding geometry of the carbamate functional group and the different degree of van der Waals interaction for each form.     

Effect of corona discharge on detonation initiation with a weak energy source

The effect of corona discharge on the initiation of detonation in a shock tube was studied. The dependence of the wave propagation velocity of the combustion reaction of a propane-butane mixture at different stoichiometric ratios on the amount of admixed nitrogen was measured. It was concluded that the corona initiation of detonation is more effective than the conventional spark initiation.     

2H nuclear magnetic resonance study of the molecular motion in cyanoadamantane. I. Supercooled plastically crystalline phase

The supercooled plastically crystalline phase (glassy crystal) of cyanoadamantane was investigated by multidimensional 2H NMR (T>Tg). Although the orientationally disordered crystalline phase always coexisted with the orientationally ordered crystalline phase, we were able to single out the signal from the glassy crystal by selective excitation and it was possible to carry out line shape measurements and two-dimensional (2D) experiments (in frequency and time domain). The latter directly reveal sixfold jumps with an reorientation of the molecular C3 axis via 90 degrees angles, thus reflecting the symmetry of the lattice. The motion around the C3 axis is found to be always fast. We can reproduce the line shape by random walk simulations properly taking into account these molecular motions. Both methods (line shape and 2D experiments) yield time constants which agree with those reported by other techniques. Refining the analysis a narrow distribution of correlation times is introduced to account for a weak stretching of the correlation function. We did not find any indication of a small angle process usually found in structural glasses. Thus, the motional process in the glassy crystal appears to be simple and quite different from that in structural glasses.     

Anisotropy of dielectric relaxation in crystal form II of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

The anisotropy of the crystalline relaxation (α relaxation) in oriented poly(vinylidene fluoride) in crystal form II has been studied. The dielectric increment Δε is analyzed on the basis of the two-site model. A linear relation between Δε/χξ and cos²θ is obtained, where χ is the degree of crystallinity, ξ is the ratio of the internal field to the applied field, and θ is the angle between the applied electric field and the molecular axis. The dipole moment changes direction only along the molecular axis in the relaxation in crystal form II; the molecular motion cannot be explained by chain rotation around the molecular axis. Possible models for the α relaxation are proposed: change in conformation with internal rotation can occur in the crystalline chains, and defects in the crystalline regions play an important role in the α relaxation.     

Molecular dynamics simulations for pure epsilon-CL-20 and epsilon-CL-20-based PBXs

Molecular dynamics has been employed to simulate the well-known high energy density compound epsilon-CL-20 (hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane) crystal and 12 epsilon-CL-20-based PBXs (polymer bonded explosives) with four kinds of typical fluorine polymers, i.e., polyvinylidenedifluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, fluorine rubber (F(2311)), and fluorine resin (F(2314)) individually. The elastic coefficients, isotropic mechanical properties (tensile moduli, bulk moduli, shear moduli, and poission's ratios), and bonding energy are first reported for epsilon-CL-20 crystal and epsilon-CL-20-based polymer bonded explosives (PBXs). The mechanical properties of epsilon-CL-20 can be effectively improved by blending with a small amount of fluorine polymers, and the whole effect of the adding fluorine polymers to improve mechanical properties of PBXs along the three crystalline surfaces of epsilon-CL-20 is found to be (100) approximately (001) > (010). The interaction between each of the crystalline surfaces and each of the fluorine polymers is different, and the ordering of binding energy for the three surfaces is (001) > (100) > (010); F(2314) always has the strongest binding ability with the three different surfaces. F(2314) can best improve the ductibility and tenacity of PBX when it is positioned on epsilon-CL-20 (001) crystal surface. The calculations on detonation performances for pure epsilon-CL-20 crystal and the four epsilon-CL-20-based PBXs show that adding a small amount of fluorine polymer into pure epsilon-CL-20 will lower detonation performance, but each detonation parameter of the obtained PBXs is still excellent.     

Controlling molecular crystal polymorphism with self-assembled monolayer templates

The control of crystal polymorphism is a long-standing issue in solid-state chemistry, which has many practical implications for a variety of commercial applications. At least four different crystalline forms of 1,3-bis(m-nitrophenyl) urea (MNPU), a classic molecular crystal system, are known to crystallize from solution in various concomitant combinations. Herein we demonstrate that the introduction of gold-thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of substituted 4'-X-mercaptobiphenyls (X = H, I, and Br) into the crystallization solution can serve as an effective means to selectively template the nucleation and growth of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-MNPU phases, respectively. Polymorph control in the presence of SAM surfaces persists under a variety of solution conditions and consistently results in crystalline materials with high phase purity. The observed selectivity is rationalized on the basis of long-range two-dimensional geometric lattice matching and local complementary chemical interactions at the SAM/crystal interfaces.     

Computational Investigation on the Surface Electronic Density, Morphology and Detonation Property of 1,1-Diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene （FOX-7） Crystal

The present study constructed and optimized FOX-7 crystal using a novel technique including grand canonical monte carlo (GCMC), density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) methods. Therein, the crystal density, atomic and electronic actions were considered. The results showed that the 1.96 g?cm-3 FOX-7 crystal has the highest stability and detonation properties, such as the total crystal energy, surface electronic density, friction sensitivity, detonation pressure, and so on. These results are close to the experimental data.     

The mechanical properties of crystalline cyclopentyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

The anisotropic elastic constants of crystalline octacyclopentyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (CpPOSS) were determined using molecular dynamics. The force field used for these calculations was shown to model accurately the rhombohedral and triclinic crystal structures of octasilsesquioxane and CpPOSS, respectively, as well as the vibrational frequencies of octasilsesquioxane. The moduli for CpPOSS are anisotropic, with a Reuss-averaged bulk modulus of 7.5 GPa, an isotropic averaged Young's modulus of 11.78 GPa, and an isotropic averaged shear modulus of 4.75 GPa. These isotropic averages or, alternatively, the full anisotropic stiffness tensor of the crystal can be used with micromechanical composite models to calculate the effective elastic properties of polymer nanocomposites that contain crystalline aggregates of CpPOSS.     

A Review of the Status of Polymerization in Thermotropic Liquid Crystal Media and Liquid Crystalline Monomers

Thermotropic liquid crystals offer uniquely ordered media for intermolecular reactions such as polymerization. Unlike the recently investigated topochemical polymerizations where molecules are rigidly constrained on lattice points [l], the liquid crystalline state permits full two-dimensional (nematic and cholesteric) and one-dimensional (smectic) movement. In addition, various degrees of translational freedom are attainable depending on the class of mesogen. Such freedom of choice, plus the ability to orient nematic and cholesteric mesogens on a molecular scale in an electric or magnetic field or on certain surfaces, makes the liquid crystal state an attractive polymerization medium.     

论络合物中心过渡金属离子的径向波函数

考虑中心对称配体场影响,提出一种不同基混合的束缚态过渡金属离子的3d径向波函数。利用这种波函数,计算了一些Cu⁺⁺络离子的晶场谱。假设适当的边界条件,用一个拟合参数,就能得到和实验一致的结果。这种方法的实质在于,在晶体场静止点荷模型基础上,考虑了诸配体等效中心对称场的部份分子轨道效应。这种混合基单电子3d径向波函数也能用于完全的分子轨道理论计算。     

Shock wave-induced phase transition in RDX single crystals

The real-time, molecular-level response of oriented single crystals of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX) to shock compression was examined using Raman spectroscopy. Single crystals of [111], [210], or [100] orientation were shocked under stepwise loading to peak stresses from 3.0 to 5.5 GPa. Two types of measurements were performed: (i) high-resolution Raman spectroscopy to probe the material at peak stress and (ii) time-resolved Raman spectroscopy to monitor the evolution of molecular changes as the shock wave reverberated through the material. The frequency shift of the CH stretching modes under shock loading appeared to be similar for all three crystal orientations below 3.5 GPa. Significant spectral changes were observed in crystals shocked above 4.5 GPa. These changes were similar to those observed in static pressure measurements, indicating the occurrence of the alpha-gamma phase transition in shocked RDX crystals. No apparent orientation dependence in the molecular response of RDX to shock compression up to 5.5 GPa was observed. The phase transition had an incubation time of approximately 100 ns when RDX was shocked to 5.5 GPa peak stress. The observation of the alpha-gamma phase transition under shock wave loading is briefly discussed in connection with the onset of chemical decomposition in shocked RDX.     

In-situ Growth of Oriented MCM-22 Zeolite Films on Glass Substrates

Zeolites are crystalline materials which have channels several angstroms to nanometers in size, which are accessible to various inorganic and organic molecules with size and configuration selectivities. In-situ growth of zeolite films on surfaces is of significant importance in utilizing the well-defined intracrystalline pores for membrane separation, membrane catalysis, molecular sensors and optoelectronic devices. For zeolites with one-or two-dimensional pore system, the accessibility of zeolite pores in films depends on crystal orientation.     

冲击波处理结晶MgO的ESR研究及对丁烯异构化的影响

冲击波处理结晶ＭｇＯ的ＥＳＲ研究及对丁烯异构化的影响张菊，郑小明，倪哲民徐康，杨廷录，刘建军（杭州大学催化研究所，杭州，３１００２８）（中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所）关键词冲击波，结晶ＭｇＯ，ＥＳＲ，丁烯异构化由爆炸在凝聚态物质中产生的冲击波是一种以...     

A new anisotropic soft-core model for the simulation of liquid crystal mesophases

A new anisotropic soft-core model is presented, which is suitable for the rapid simulation of liquid crystal mesophases. The potential is based on a soft spherocylinder, which can be easily tuned to favor different liquid crystal mesophases. The soft-core nature of the potential makes it suitable for long-time step molecular dynamics or dissipative particle dynamics simulations, particularly as a reference model for mesogens or as an anisotropic solvent for use in combination with atomistic models. Results are presented for two variants of the new potential, which show different mesophase behaviors. Variants of the potential can also be linked together to produce more complicated molecular structures. Here, as an example, results are provided for a model multipedal liquid crystal, which has eight liquid crystalline groups linked to a central core via semiflexible chains. Here, despite the complexity of molecular structure, the model succeeds in showing the spontaneous formation of a liquid crystal phase. The results also demonstrate that there is a very strong coupling between the internal structure of the multipedal mesogen and the molecular order of the phase, with the mesogen spontaneously undergoing major structural rearrangement at the transition to the liquid crystal phase.