Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of a medium-sized water cluster anion: from an interior to a surface-located
Tomaso Frigato1, Joost VandeVondele, Burkhard Schmidt
1Institut für Mathematik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 6, D-14195, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
We present a computational study of the structure and dynamics of an excess electron in a medium-sized water cluster aimed at addressing the question of interior vs exterior solvation. Ab initio Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations were performed within the DFT framework, employing a hybrid Gaussian and plane-wave formalism together with the PBE exchange-correlation functional and norm-conserving pseudopotentials. Analysis of a 15-ps trajectory allowed us to reach the following conclusions: (i) the excess electron is predominantly located at the cluster surface (even if it is initially placed in the interior), (ii) the computed electron binding energies correlate with the electron localization rather than with its bulk vs surface location, and (iii) a dynamical interconversion between two different H-bond patterns around the electron occurs. The computed electron binding energies and the most relevant features of the IR spectrum are in a very good agreement with results of previous experimental studies.
More Related Videos
12:11Computation of Atmospheric Concentrations of Molecular Clusters from ab initio Thermochemistry
Published on: April 8, 2020
08:54Vibrational Spectra of a N719-Chromophore/Titania Interface from Empirical-Potential Molecular-Dynamics Simulation, Solvated by a Room Temperature Ionic Liquid
Published on: January 25, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Geometry and Dipole Moments
Molecular Orbital Theory I
Molecular Orbital Theory II
Van der Waals Interactions
Formation of Complex Ions