Effects of long-range interactions on the dynamics of ions in aqueous solution

Molecular dynamics simulations have been carried out for a Br⁻ ion in aqueous solution in order to establish the effect of truncation of long-range interactions on the dynamical properties of the ion. Simulations using smooth truncation of the potential at different cutoff radii were carried out and compared to results using the Ewald summation method. It is shown that when small cutoffs are applied (i.e. R_c = 8Å), the calculations yield low ionic diffusion coefficients relative to experiment, as well as short-time dynamical behavior which is inconsistent with the Ewald calculations. As the cutoff is increased, the results approach both the Ewald and the experimental results. In contrast to the results with the truncated potential, the short-time dynamical behavior of the hydrated bromide ion obtained with the Ewald method can be described by simple Langevin dynamics.