Fluids in Nanopores

Abstract

Molecular modelling plays an important and complementary role to experimental studies. In this thesis we use molecular dynamic simulations and time correlation functions to examine the isomerization of n-butane and to perform a proof-of-concept demonstration, applying the dissipation theorem to calculating transport properties. Equilibrium molecular dynamics are used to determine the solvent shift and rate constants in the isomerization process of n-butane. Furthermore the effects of confining n-butane to a nanopore are examined and compared to in two different wall-models. The structure and dynamics of a fluid can be affected when confined to pores of nanometre widths. An understanding of the effects of confinement on the equilibrium composition of reacting mixtures, diffusion and adsorption rates, can lead to improvements in industrial processes such as in the food and pharmaceutical industry. A known effect of confinement is wetting of the walls due to interactions between the wall and the fluid. Examination of the local molecular fluid density across the pore has shown that the degree of wetting is a function of pore width, mean fluid density and wall surface density.