Computer Simulation of Water Clusterization on Chlorine Ions: 2. Microstructure

The molecular structure of Cl^–(H₂O) _n clusters, n = 1–60, in equilibrium with vapor, and the cluster with n = 500 was studied by the Monte Carlo method. The first hydrated layer of a cluster is formed in unsaturated water vapors. The second hydrated layer begins to be formed in saturated vapor. The position of hydrated layers is not changed with an increase in cluster size and coincides with the position of the hydrated layers of ions in aqueous solutions of weak electrolytes. Orientational order in a cluster also has the layered structure. The orientation of molecules between the layers is random. The stability of the first layer is ensured only due to direct interactions with ions, whereas the stability of subsequent layers is due to cooperative interactions between molecules and between molecules and ions. As temperature decreases, the effect of ion displacement to the cluster surface becomes stronger.