Simulation of dielectric properties and stability of clusters (H2O)i, CO2(H2O)i, and CH4(H2O)i

Molecular dynamics method is used for studying complex permittivity ɛ and the stability of individual water clusters as a function of the number of involved molecules (7 ≤ i ≤ 20) and also the corresponding characteristics of water aggregates with a captured CO₂ or CH₄ molecule. Absorption of the latter molecules leads to considerable changes in dielectric properties and stability of clusters. In particular, upon the addition of a CO₂ molecule to a water cluster, the oscillation parameters of the real and imaginary parts of the permittivity change. Capture of a CH₄ molecule by a water aggregate changes the ɛ(ω) dependence from the relaxation to resonance type. For i ≥ 15, the thermal stability of individual water clusters can be lower than that of aggregates CO₂(H₂O) _i and CH₄(H₂O) _i . The mechanical stability of (H₂O) _{i ≥ 13} clusters can exceed that of heteroclusters under consideration. Clusters (H₂O) _i and CO₂(H₂O) _i have approximately the same dielectric stability, whereas aggregates CH₄(H₂O) _i exhibit lower stability with respect to electric perturbations. Original Russian Text ? A.E. Galashev, V.N. Chukanov, A.N. Novruzov, O.A. Novruzova, 2007, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 143–153.