Computer simulation of the behavior of water confined between graphite surfaces

COLL 355

Michael Grunze and Alexander Pertsin. Angewandte Physikalische Chemie, University of Heidelberg, INF 253, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
The grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo technique is used to simulate the behavior of water between graphite surfaces. It is shown that the structure and thermodynamics of the interfacial region are extremely sensitive to the range and orientation dependence of the water/graphite interaction potential. This casts doubt on the results of previous molecular dynamics simulations using orientation independent potentials and standard atomistic force fields. It is demonstrated that the water monolayer compressed between two parallel graphite surfaces does not experience capillary evaporation and offers only slight resistance to shear. This explains why water can serve as a lubricant in the friction of graphitic carbons.