Cooling-Rate Computer Simulations for the Description of Crystallization of Organic Phase-Change Materials.

A molecular-level insight into phase transformations is in great demand for many molecular systems. It can be gained through computer simulations in which cooling is applied to a system at a constant rate. However, the impact of the cooling rate on the crystallization process is largely unknown.

Branched linear lactide chains for cellulose nanoparticle modification: an atomistic molecular dynamics study.

We studied the structure of brushes consisting of branched oligolactide (OLA) chains grafted onto the surface of cellulose nanoparticles (CNPs) in polylactide (PLA) and compared the outcomes to the case of grafting linear OLA chains using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The systems were considered in a melt state. The branched model OLA chains comprised one branching point and three branches, while the linear OLA chains examined had a molecular weight similar to the branched chains.

Correction: Toward realistic computer modeling of paraffin-based composite materials: critical assessment of atomic-scale models of paraffins.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C9RA07325F.].

Grafting-Induced Structural Ordering of Lactide Chains.

The structure of a grafted layer of lactide chains in the "dry brush" regime immersed in a melt of chemically similar polymer was examined while varying graft lengths. To this end, microsecond atomistic molecular dynamics simulations were performed. Almost no influence of graft length on the fraction of the grafted chains backfolded to the grafting surface was found.

Toward Predictive Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Asphaltenes in Toluene and Heptane.

The conventional definition of asphaltenes is based on their solubility in toluene and their insolubility in heptane. We have utilized this definition to study the influence of partial charge parametrization on the aggregation behavior of asphaltenes using classical atomistic molecular dynamics simulations performed on the microsecond time scale. Under consideration here are toluene- and heptane-based systems with different partial charges parametrized using the general AMBER force field (GAFF).

Toward realistic computer modeling of paraffin-based composite materials: critical assessment of atomic-scale models of paraffins.

Paraffin-based composites represent a promising class of materials with numerous practical applications such as heat storage. Computer modeling of these complex multicomponent systems requires a proper theoretical description of both the -alkane matrix and the non-alkane filler molecules. The latter can be modeled with the use of a state-of-the-art general-purpose force field such as GAFF, CHARMM, OPLS-AA and GROMOS, while the paraffin matrix is traditionally described in the frame of relatively old, alkane-specific force fields (TraPPE, NERD, and PYS).