PNNL

Abstract

Modeling assembly at surfaces requires a multi-scale understanding of the interactions between solutes, solvents, and surfaces. We investigated the solvent response (water structure and orientation) to a dielectric surface (mica) using density functional theory. A different water structure is engendered by replacing naturally-occurring surface ions (K+) with H3O+ and validates classical models for the mica surface (CLAYFF). The detailed microscopic response of water to mica can be used as input into continuum models for the total interactions between two mica surfaces supporting a strong correlation between physicochemical phenomena at different scales.