Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Analyzing Melts and Fluids from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations with the UMD Package
Published on: September 17, 2021
Extraction of effective solid-liquid interfacial free energies for full 3D solid crystallites from equilibrium MD
L A Zepeda-Ruiz1, B Sadigh1, A A Chernov1
1Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA.
This study determined the effective solid-liquid interfacial free energy for copper crystals using molecular dynamics simulations. The calculated value of ~177 erg/cm² is crucial for understanding solidification kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Computational Physics
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Understanding the solid-liquid interfacial free energy is critical for modeling phase transitions like solidification.
- Previous models often simplify crystal shapes and surface properties, potentially limiting accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the effective solid-liquid interfacial free energy of copper crystals within a liquid using molecular dynamics.
- To assess the influence of crystal size on this interfacial energy.
- To provide a value applicable to atomistically informed solidification models.
Main Methods:
- Molecular dynamics simulations were performed on an embedded atom copper system.
- The isobaric-isenthalpic (NPH) ensemble was utilized.
- Equilibrium crystal shapes and sizes were analyzed to determine interfacial properties.
Main Results:
- Copper crystals exhibited equilibrium shapes with minor radial flattening and rounded octahedral faces, indicating weak surface anisotropy.
- An effective interfacial free energy of approximately 177 erg/cm² was determined.
- This value remained relatively constant for crystal radii between 50-250 Å.
Conclusions:
- The effective interfacial free energy is a robust parameter for copper solidification, largely independent of crystal size in the studied range.
- This atomistically derived value can enhance the predictive power of solidification kinetics models.
- The simulations highlight the importance of considering realistic crystal morphologies.
More Related Videos
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
10:52Multiscale Sampling of a Heterogeneous Water/Metal Catalyst Interface using Density Functional Theory and Force-Field Molecular Dynamics
Published on: April 12, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Chemical and Solubility Equilibria
Intermolecular Forces in Solutions
When the strengths of the intermolecular forces of attraction between solute and solvent species in a solution are no different than those present in the separated components, the solution is formed with no accompanying energy change. Such a solution is called an ideal solution. A mixture of ideal gases (or gases such as helium and argon,...
Molecular and Ionic Solids
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Comparing Intermolecular Forces: Melting Point, Boiling Point, and Miscibility
Temporary attractive forces like dispersion are present in all molecules, whether they are polar or nonpolar. They...