Sharif Digital Repository

We used density functional theory (DFT) and Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulation to investigate the adsorption and bond formation of hydronium ion (H3O+) onto a (10 1 ¯ 4) calcite surface. For surface coverage of 25% to 100%, the nature of H3O+ interaction was explored through electron density and energetics in the context of bond critical points. The adsorbate–adsorbent structure was studied by simulation of pair correlation function. The results revealed that dissociation into water molecule(s) and proton(s) complements H3O+ ion(s) adsorbtion. The H2O molecule adsorbs onto the surface via its O atom, and interacts with surface calcium in a closed-shell mode; the H+ ion makes... 

In this paper we report the results of classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of hexanoic acid adsorption on calcite (101-4) surface plane using Pavese and AMBER force fields for calcite and hexanoic acid, respectively. Pair correlation function, strictly suggests a well-structured adsorption. Density profile indicates the adsorption occurs through double-bonded O atom of the acid head group by direct interaction with Ca atom at calcite surface. Adsorption orientation of H and double-bonded O atoms was found to be as lock and key with respect to calcite surface Ca and O atoms, facilitating an effective adsorption. Adsorption time evolution indicates that O atom adsorption is... 

HYPOTHESIS: The saltwater-oil interface is of broad implication in geochemistry and petroleum disciplines. To date, the main focus has been on the surface contribution of polar, heavy compounds of crude oil, widely neglecting the role of non-polar hydrocarbons. However, non-polar compounds are expected to contribute to characteristics of oil-brine interfaces. METHODOLOGY: Utilizing molecular dynamics simulation, we aim to characterize ion behavior adjacent to hydrophobic organic phases. Concerning natural environments, NaCl, CaCl2 and Na2SO4 electrolytes at low (5 wt%) and high (15 wt%) concentrations were brought in contact with heptane and/or toluene which account for aliphatic and... 

This research concerns fundamentals of spontaneous transport of saltwater (1 mol·dm-3 NaCl solution) in nanopores of calcium carbonates. A fully atomistic model was adopted to scrutinize the temperature dependence of flow regimes during solution transport under CaCO3 nanoconfinement. The early time of capillary filling is inertia-dominated, and the solution penetrates with a near-planar meniscus at constant velocity. Following a transition period, the meniscus angle falls to a stabilized value, characterizing the capillary-viscous advancement in the calcite channel. At this stage, brine displacement follows a parabolic relationship consistent with the classical Lucas-Washburn (LW) theory.... 

This research provides an atomistic picture of the role of ions in modulating the microstructural features of an oil-contaminated calcite surface. This is of crucial importance for the rational design of ion-engineered waterflooding, a promising technique for enhancing oil recovery from carbonate reservoirs. Inspired by a conventional lab-scale procedure, an integrated series of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to resolve the relative contribution of the major ionic constituent of natural brines (i.e., Na+, Cl-, Mg2+, Ca2+, and SO42-) when soaking an oil-bearing calcite surface in different electrolyte solutions of same salinity, namely, CaCl2, MgCl2, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and...