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Synchrotron-based high-pressure x-ray diffraction measurements indicate that compressibility, a fundamental materials property, can have a size-specific minimum value. The bulk modulus of nanocrystalline titania has a maximum at particle size of 15 nm. This can be explained by dislocation behavior because very high dislocation contents can be achieved when shear stress induced within nanoparticles counters the repulsion between dislocations. As particle size decreases, compression increasingly generates dislocation networks ͑hardened by overlap of strain fields͒ that shield intervening regions from external pressure. However, when particles become too small to sustain high dislocation concentrations, elastic stiffening declines. The compressibility has a minimum at intermediate sizes.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the interaction of two solid surfaces, namely the (00.1) hematite and (10.4) calcite surfaces, in contact with aqueous electrolyte solutions containing different concentrations of dissolved NaCl. The structure and a number of properties of the interface were investigated. The size and amount of statistics needed for convergence of these calculations required the use of high performance computers. The two surfaces show different bonding mechanisms with the water, but both result in a distinctive layering of the water, which in turn modifies a range of surface behaviour including diffusivity and charge distribution. We find that the resulting charge distribution from the solvent has a greater control of the disposition of dissolved ions than either surface charge or ionic strength, within reasonable limits. Thus we see a characteristic double layer at neutral surfaces and the charge distribution oscillates into the bulk. Finally, preliminary work on calculating the free energy of dissolution of ions from the surface to the aqueous solution suggests that the presence of dissolved ions makes a small but significant reduction to the dissolution free energies.

a b s t r a c tMolecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate possible explanations for experimentally observed differences in the growth modification of calcite particles by two organic additives, polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyaspartic acid (p-ASP). The more rigid backbone of p-ASP was found to inhibit the formation of stable complexes with counter-ions in solution, resulting in a higher availability of p-ASP compared to PAA for surface adsorption. Furthermore the presence of nitrogen on the p-ASP backbone yields favorable electrostatic interactions with the surface, resulting in negative adsorption energies, in an upright (brush conformation). This leads to a more rapid binding and longer residence times at calcite surfaces compared to PAA, which adsorbed in a flat (pancake) configuration with positive adsorption energies. The PAA adsorption occurring despite this positive energy difference can be attributed to the disruption of the ordered water layer seen in the simulations and hence a significant entropic contribution to the adsorption free energy. These findings help explain the stronger inhibiting effect on calcite growth observed by p-ASP compared to PAA and can be used as guidelines in the design of additives leading to even more marked growth modifying effects.

TitlePrediction of the effects of size and morphology on the structure of water around hematite nanoparticles AbstractCompared with macroscopic surfaces, the structure of water around nanoparticles is difficult to probe directly. We used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effects of particle size and morphology on the time-averaged structure and the dynamics of water molecules around two sizes of hematite ( -Fe 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles. Interrogation of the simulations via atomic density maps, radial distribution functions and bound water residence times provide insight into the relationships between particle size and morphology and the behavior of interfacial water. Both 1.6 nm and 2.7 nm particles are predicted to cause the formation of ordered water regions close to the nanoparticle surface, but the extent of localization and ordering, the connectivity between regions of bound water, and the rates of molecular exchange between inner and outer regions are all affected by particle size and morphology. These findings are anticipated to be relevant to understanding the rates of interfacial processes involving water exchange and the transport of aqueous ions to surface sites.2

An understanding of the structure of water on metal oxide nanoparticles is important due to its involvement in a number of surface processes, such as in the modification of transport near surfaces and the resulting impact on crystal growth and dissolution. However, as direct experimental measurements probing the metal oxide−water interface of nanoparticles are not easily performed, we use atomistic simulations using experimentally derived potential parameters to determine the structure and dynamics of the interface between magnesium oxide nanoparticles and water. We use a simple strategy to generate mineral nanoparticles, which can be applied to any shape, size, or composition. Molecular dynamics simulations were then used to examine the structure of water around the nanoparticles, and highly ordered layers of water were found at the interface. The structure of water is strongly influenced by the crystal structure and morphology of the mineral and the extent of hydroxylation of the surface. Comparison of the structure and dynamics of water around the nanoparticles with their two-dimensional flat surface counterparts revealed that the size, shape, and surface composition also affects properties such as water residence times and coordination number.

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