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Updated: Apr 7, 2026

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Structure and Dynamics of the Instantaneous Water/Vapor Interface Revisited by Path-Integral and Ab Initio Molecular
Jan Kessler1, Hossam Elgabarty1, Thomas Spura2
1†Institute of Physical Chemistry and Center of Computational Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Staudinger Weg 9, D-55128 Mainz, Germany.
Abstract:
The structure and dynamics of the water/vapor interface is revisited by means of path-integral and second-generation Car-Parrinello ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with an instantaneous surface definition [Willard, A. P.; Chandler, D. J. Phys. Chem. B 2010, 114, 1954]. In agreement with previous studies, we find that one of the OH bonds of the water molecules in the topmost layer is pointing out of the water into the vapor phase, while the orientation of the underlying layer is reversed. Therebetween, an additional water layer is detected, where the molecules are aligned parallel to the instantaneous water surface.
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