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Nano-/microplastics (NP) is a human-made emerging contaminant with worldwide occurrence. The small size (below one micrometer), the different chemical nature and the persistence make NP to potential hazards with suspect probability of tissue penetration and inflammation or as accumulator for toxins. A strategy to stop the spill of novel NP is the remediation from waste water or rivers as prominent distributors. We have developed core–shell superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) that attract NP and glue them to larger agglomerates which then can be removed from water by applying an external magnetic field. The shell molecules provide two interaction motifs towards NP. The tuned surface potential of the functionalized SPIONs attract complementary charged NP efficiently and the n-alkyl chain is dedicated to preferential interaction towards organic NP rather than inorganic particles. Structural analytics and molecular dynamics simulation support the proposed concept. Systematic remediation experiments with different NP (chemical structures, sizes and mixtures), from different waters – including river water – and with different SPION core materials indicate a universal validity of the concept, with best remediation performance for mixed NP. We suggest a method for broadband remediation of various NP with simple materials and processes, which both have the potential to be up-scaled.

We model bond formation and dissociation processes in thermosetting polymer networks from molecular dynamics simulations. For this, a coarsened molecular mechanics model is derived from quantum calculations to provide effective interaction potentials that enable million-atoms scale simulations. The importance of bond (re)organization is demonstrated for (i) simulating epoxy resin formation─for which our approach leads to realistic network models which can now account for degrees of curing up to 98%. Moreover, (ii) we elucidate the competition of bond dissociation and bond reformation during plastic deformation and fracture. On this basis, we rationalize the molecular mechanisms that account for the irreversible nature of damaging epoxy polymers by mechanical load.

For over two decades, NaCl nucleation from a supersaturated aqueous solution has been predicted to occur via a two-step nucleation (TSN) mechanism, i.e., two sequential events, the formation of locally dense liquid regions followed by structural ordering. However, the formation of dense liquid regions in the very early stage of TSN has never been experimentally observed. By using a state-of-the-art technique, a combination of electrostatic levitation (ESL) and in situ synchrotron X-ray and Raman scatterings, we find experimental evidence that indicates the formation of dense liquid regions in NaCl bulk solution at an unprecedentedly high level of supersaturation (S = 2.31). As supersaturation increases, evolution of ion clusters leads to chemical ordering, but no topological ordering, which is a precursor for forming the dense disordered regions of ion clusters at the early stage of TSN. Moreover, as the ion clusters proceed to evolve under highly supersaturated conditions, we observe the breakage of the water hydration structure indicating the stability limit of the dense liquid regions, and thus leading to nucleation. The evolution of solute clusters and breakage of hydration in highly supersaturated NaCl bulk solution will provide new insights into the detailed mechanism of TSN for many other aqueous solutions., This work provides evidence for two-step nucleation in highly supersaturated bulk NaCl solution, using electrostatic levitation combined with Raman/X-ray scatterings.

In this study, we report on hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronenes (HBCs) as representative models for nanographenes. To this end, we synthesized a family of functionalized HBCs and investigated the impact of the substituents on the π-extended systems of the HBCs. DFT and TD-DFT calculations suggested a charge transfer character, which intensified as the electron density withdrawing effects of the substituents (–M-effect) increased. Unambiguous corroboration of the charge transfer character in the case of NO2-substituents was realized via steady-state absorption and fluorescence experiments, which focused on the dependencies on the solvent polarity and temperature featuring. Going beyond HBCs with NO2-substituents, time-correlated single photon counting, and femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy unveiled long-lived singlet and triplet excited states. As a complement, we performed electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements. These measurements were carried out to shed light onto the nature of the functionalized HBCs as electron acceptors and/or donors, on the one hand, and their corresponding spectroscopic signatures, on the other hand. All of the aforementioned information enabled intermolecular charge separation assays with, for example, suitable electron acceptors by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy.

Strontium substituted apatite-(CaF)-gelatin composites have been synthesized within a gelatin gel using the double diffusion technique. All experimental parameters were kept constant while systemat...

We present atomic scale models of differently shaped silica surfaces loaded by gemcitabine and ibuprofene molecules. Despite the dissimilar nature of the drug molecules, their association to silica carriers shows quite similar characteristics. We identify a well-defined contact layer that is stabilized by silica-molecule salt-bridges/hydrogen bonding in parallel to interactions among the drug molecules. Additional loading of the carriers leads to rough films with dynamically evolving asperities rather than layer-by-layer ordering. To elucidate the role of differently shaped silica surfaces, we compared planar slab models and spherical nanoparticles as 2 limiting cases. Despite the strong difference in the curvature of the silica surfaces, our molecular dynamics simulations show only small changes of the unloading characteristics. This suggests that the design of different pore shapes in mesoporous silica–based drug carriers mainly affects the migration kinetics rather than the energetics of drug loading and release.

We outline molecular dynamics simulations of electrode–ionic liquid interfaces with explicit consideration of electronic polarization effects. For this, conventional molecular mechanics are extende...

This molecular dynamics simulations study elucidates how water diffusion in MgCl2·nH2O (n=4 and 6) is facilitated by defects and dopants. Both the impact of a single vacancy (one water molecule was removed) and an interstitial (one water molecule was added) on long range water motion has been investigated. Spontaneous vacancy-interstitial pair defect formation was not observed, which is in line with the predicted high energy costs for defect formation: 150 and 200 kJ/mol for the tetrahydrate and hexahydrate, respectively. The vacancy defects did not show long range mobility, which we relate to the strong bonding of water in the coordination shell of the Mg-ion that prevents water molecules from shifting to neighbouring magnesium ions. On the contrary, the addition of an extra water molecule, facilitates long range motion, which was found as a sequence of hopping events. The interstitial motion is anisotropic in both tetrahydrate and hexahydrate crystals, as interstitials preferentially reside at locations of unfavourable Cl-Cl interactions. Strikingly, Mg ↔ Ca substitutional defects neither increase the mobility of vacancies nor facilitates interstitial motion in the MgCl2 lattice. While Ca dopants slightly facilitate vacancy formation, it also stabilizes interstitial water molecules by incorporating these molecules in its coordination shell. As a consequence, the interstitial becomes trapped and loses its mobility. Therefore, Ca dopants will not increase the hydration/dehydration kinetics of MgCl2 hydrates and cannot be used to boost the power output of MgCl2-based heat storage devices.

The ability of a series of bridged triarylamines, so‐called N‐heterotriangulenes, to form multilayer‐type 2D‐extended films via a solution‐based processing method was examined using complementary microscopic techniques. We found that the long‐range order, crystallinity, and layer thickness decisively depend on the nature of the substituents attached to the polycyclic backbone. Owing to their flat core unit, compounds exhibiting a carbonyl unit at the bridge position provide a superior building block as compared to thioketone‐bridged derivatives. In addition, nature and length of the peripheral substituents affect the orientation of the aromatic core unit within highly crystalline films. Hence, our results stress the significance of a suitable molecular framework and provide deeper understanding of structure formation in 2D‐confined surroundings for such compounds., Towards layered organic electronics: The in‐plane and out‐of‐plane alignment as well as the morphology of solution‐processed N‐heterotriangulene films is found to depend on the nature of the bridge and peripheral substituents attached to the core unit. Spectromicroscopic characterization allows for the understanding of structure formation under 2D‐confined conditions and illustrates the significance of a customizable molecular framework for well‐defined layered systems.

Here, we approach the issue of ACC ultrastructure by applying a method for determining atomically resolved structures of amorphous materials using Monte Carlo simulations constrained by both X-ray and neutron scattering data. This structural analysis approach allows us to develop a detailed model for ACC at the atomic level. Our findings reveal that synthetic ACC, rapidly precipitated at high pH, consists of two-nanometer sized units containing a high degree of near range order similar to partially disordered nano-crystals. Small-angle scattering analyses show a multi-scale hierarchical organisation of the structure, supportive of a multi-step colloid self-assembly process. Computer simulations and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy show that the mesostructure of ACC resembles that of a glassy gel with crystalline material in domains. Our findings support the formation of ACC by a nanoparticle aggregation process that likely starts from prenucleation clusters in solution.

Classical nucleation theory (CNT), which was established about 90 years ago, represents the most commonly used theory in describing nucleation processes. For a fluid-to-solid phase transition, CNT states that the solutes in a supersaturated solution reversibly form small clusters. Once a cluster reaches its critical size, it becomes thermodynamically stable and is favored for further growth. One of the most important assumptions of CNT is that the nucleation process is described by one reaction coordinate and all order parameters proceed simultaneously. Recent studies in experiments, computer simulations, and theory have revealed nonclassical features in the early stage of nucleation. In particular, the decoupling of order parameters involved during a fluid-to-solid transition leads to the so-called two-step nucleation mechanism, in which a metastable intermediate phase (MIP) exists in parallel to the initial supersaturated solution and the final crystals. These MIPs can be high-density liquid phases, mesoscopic clusters, or preordered states. In this Special Issue, we focus on the role of the various MIPs in the early stage of crystal nucleation of organic materials, metals and alloys, aqueous solutions, minerals, colloids, and proteins, and thus on various scenarios of nonclassical pathways of crystallization, F.Z. and D.Z. acknowledge financial support of deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

Ab-initio based benchmarking and improvements of molecular mechanics models for organic friction modifier (OFM) additives used in lubricants are presented. We found the generalized amber force field (GAFF2) appears well suited to model oil-steel interfaces moderated by fatty acids. However, explicit refinements are needed for describing the interactions of fatty acid glycerol esters with steel surfaces and were thus implemented into our OilF force field suite. Apart from analyzing single OFM molecule association to steel, we present a systematic scheme for elucidating the association of additive films to oil-hematite interfaces from molecular dynamics simulations. On this basis, ‘saturated’ interface models of densely packed OFMs are suggested.

We present a quantum mechanical / molecular mechanics (QM/MM) to tackle chemical reactions with substantial molecular reorganization. For this, molecular dynamics simulations with smoothly switched interaction models are used to suggest suitable product states, whilst a Monte Carlo algorithm is employed to assess the reaction likeliness subject to energetic feasibility. As a demonstrator, we study the cross-linking of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) and 4,6-diethyl-2-methylbenzene-1,3-diamine (DETDA). The modeling of epoxy curing was supplemented by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements, which confirms the degrees of cross-linking as a function of curing temperature. Likewise, the heat of formation and the mechanical properties of the resulting thermosetting polymer are found to be in good agreement with previous experiments., To be published in ACS Macromolecules

The mechanism behind the stability of organic nanoparticles prepared by liquid antisolvent (LAS) precipitation without a specific stabilizing agent is poorly understood. In this work, we propose that the organic solvent used in the LAS process rapidly forms a molecular stabilizing layer at the interface of the nanoparticles with the aqueous dispersion medium. To confirm this hypothesis, n-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-functionalized silicon wafers in contact with water-solvent mixtures were used as a flat model system mimicking the solid-liquid interface of the organic nanoparticles. We studied the equilibrium structure of the interface by X-ray reflectometry (XRR) for water-solvent mixtures (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, acetone, and tetrahydrofuran). The formation of an organic solvent-rich layer at the solid-liquid interface was observed. The layer thickness increases with the organic solvent concentration and correlates with the polar and hydrogen bond fraction of Hansen solubility parameters. We developed a self-consistent adsorption model via complementing adsorption isotherms obtained from XRR data with molecular dynamics simulations.

The sensing capabilities of semiconducting metal oxide (SMO)-based gas sensors, which are a promising type of sensors, were improved in the present study using a novel method that enhanced gas selectivity toward various gas molecules. A simple and effective post-modification with functional self-assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules enhanced the selective sensing properties. The chemical-affinity-driven interaction between SAM and gas molecules enabled selective gas sensing, and the small size of SnO2 nanowires (NWs; diameter = ~50 nm) provided a large sensing area. Moreover, simple alteration of the chemical moiety in SAM molecules facilitated the tuning of SAM-induced selectivity over a broad range of collections. The binding of SAMs on the NWs was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, with the selective gas sensing being investigated under various sensing conditions. The results from the molecular dynamics simulations supported the proposed selective sensing mechanism. The combination of passivation and selective gas sensing resulted in a simple method for the selective gas sensing of SnO2 NWs, and the concept could be generally expanded to other types of SMO-based sensing platforms.

We outline a molecular mechanics model for the interaction of gallium and nitride ions ranging from small complexes to nanoparticles and bulk crystals. While the current GaN force fields allow the modelling of either bulk crystals or single ions dispersed in solution, our model covers both and hence paves the way to describing aggregate formation and crystal growth processes from molecular simulations. The key to this is the use of formal +3 and −3 charges on the gallium and nitride ions, whilst accounting for the charge transfer in GaN crystals by means of additional potential energy terms. The latter are fitted against experimental data of GaN in the wurtzite structure and benchmarked for the zinc-blende and rock-salt polymorphs. Comparison to quantum chemical references and experiment shows reasonable agreement of structures and formation energy of [GaN] n aggregates, elastic properties of the bulk crystal, the transition pressure of the wurtzite to rock-salt transformation and intrinsic point defects. Furthermore, we demonstrate force field transferability towards the modelling of GaN nanoparticles from simulated annealing runs.

We outline a coarse-grained model of silica nanoparticles, hexadecetyltrimethylammonium bromide surfactants and triamethylbenzene spacers for the analysis of mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSN) formation from molecular simulation. Starting from random configurations, molecular dynamics simulations of annealing an artificial melt allow the unprejudiced investigation of silica-surfactant/spacer self-assembly. In analogy to the experimental syntheses protocol, the second step consists of removing the spacer and surfactant species from the system, followed by condensation reactions between the silica precursors. In our coarse-grained model, this intergrowth of the silica network is described by effective potentials that mimic atomistic simulations based on quantum/classical approaches. On this basis, rapid screening of pore structures as functions of surfactant and spacer concentration is demonstrated. After characterization of the self-organization process, we finally back-map the coarsened models into atomic structures, now enabling the detailed analyses of MSN loading by guest molecules – as illustrated for gemcitabine and ibuprofen, respectively.

We report on microsecond-resolved in-situ SAXS experiments of the early nucleation and growth behavior of both cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots in aqueous solution including the temperature dependence and of gold (Au) nanoparticles. A novel free-jet setup was developped to access reaction times as early as 20 μs. As the signal in particular in the beginning of the reaction is weak the containment-free nature of this sample environment prooved crucial. The SAXS data reveal a two-step pathway with a surprising stability of a structurally relaxed cluster with a diameter of about 2 nm. While these develop rapidly by ionic assembly, a further slower growth is attributed to cluster attachment. WAXS diffraction confirms, that the particles at this early stage are not yet crystalline. This growth mode is confirmed for a temperature range from 25°C to 45°C. An energy barrier for the diffusion of primary clusters in water of 0.60 eV was experimentally observed in agreement with molecular simulations. To access reaction times beyond 100 ms, a stopped-drop setup -again contaiment- free is introduced. SAXS experiments on the growth of Au nanoparticles on an extended time scale provide a much slower growth with one population only. Further, the influence of ionizing X-ray radiation on the Au particle fromation and growth is discussed.

We review scale-bridging simulation studies for the exploration of atomicto-meso scale processes that account for the unique structure and mechanic properties of apatite-protein composites. As the atomic structure and composition of such complex biocomposites only partially is known, the first part (i) of our modelling studies is dedicated to realistic crystal nucleation scenarios of inorganic-organic composites. Starting from the association of single ions, recent insights range from the mechanisms of motif formation, ripening reactions and the self-organization of nanocrystals, including their interplay with growth-controlling molecular moieties. On this basis, (ii) reliable building rules for unprejudiced scale-up models can be derived to model bulk materials. This is exemplified for (enamel-like) apatite-protein composites, encompassing up to 106 atom models to provide a realistic account of the 10 nm length scale, whilst model coarsening is used to reach μm length scales. On this basis, a series of deformation and fracture simulation studies were performed and helped to rationalize biocomposite hardness, plasticity, toughness, self-healing and fracture mechanisms. Complementing experimental work, these modelling studies provide particularly detailed insights into the relation of hierarchical composite structure and favorable mechanical properties.

Conversion reactions deliver much higher capacities than intercalation/deintercalation reactions of commercial Li ion batteries. However, the complex reaction pathways of conversion reactions occurring during Li uptake and release are not entirely understood, especially the irreversible capacity loss of Mn(III)-containing oxidic spinels. Here, we report for the first time on the electrochemical Li uptake and release of Co(II)Mn(III)Fe(III)O4 spinel nanoparticles and the conversion reaction mechanisms elucidated by combined operando X-ray diffraction, operando and ex-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, (7)Li NMR, and molecular dynamics simulation. The combination of these techniques enabled uncovering the pronounced electronic changes and structural alterations on different length scales in a unique way. The spinel nanoparticles undergo a successive phase transition into a mixed monoxide caused by a movement of the reduced cations from tetrahedral to octahedral positions. While the redox reactions Fe(3+) ↔ Fe(0) and Co(2+) ↔ Co(0) occur for many charge/discharge cycles, metallic Mn nanoparticles formed during the first discharge can only be oxidized to Mn(2+) during charge. This finding explains the partial capacity loss reported for Mn(III)-based spinels. Furthermore, the results of the investigations evidence that the reaction mechanisms on the nanoscale are very different from pathways of microcrystalline materials.

The agglomeration of silica nanoparticles in aqueous solution is investigated from molecular simulations. Mimicking destabilization of colloidal solutions by full removal of protective moieties or surface charge, association of SiO2/Si(OH)4 core/shell particles leads to rapid proton transfer reactions that account for local silanole → silica ripening reactions. Yet, such virtually barrier-less binding is only observed within a limited contact zone. Agglomeration hence leads to the formation of oligomers of nanoparticles, whilst full merging into a compact precipitate is hampered by the need for extended structural reorganisation. Implementing sufficiently fast supply from colloidal solution, our simulations show the development of silica networks comprised of covalently bound, yet not fully merged nanoparticles. Within the oligomerized nanoparticle network, coordination numbers range from 2 to 5 –which is far below closest packing. Our simulations hence rationalize the formation of covalently bound network structures hosting extended pores. The resulting interfaces to the solvent show water immobilization only for the immediate contact layers, whilst the inner pores exhibit solvent mobility akin to bulk water.

We present an ab initio based molecular mechanics model for prominent additives used in lubricants to moderate oil-steel interfaces. The force field is created for zinc dialkyldithiophosphate and calcium sulfonate charge neutral ligand-ion-ligand complexes and benchmarked to the widely spread generalized amber force field (GAFF). For the latter, comparison to quantum chemical calculations shows significant errors in terms of complex structure and formation energy. This is corrected by the newly created force field that is commensurate with GAFF but uses tailor-made ion-ligand van der Waals parameters. On this basis, we elucidate the association of additives with oil-hematite interfaces from molecular dynamics simulations.

We present improved molecular mechanics models for perfluorocarbons and mixed hydro- and fluorocarbons, based on the GAFF2 force field. Benchmarking was performed for a series of single molecule geometries and for condensed phases, namely self-assembled monolayers comprising perfluoro-octadecane phosphonic acids. From this, considerable improvement of the torsion angles is demonstrated. Apart from structural characterization, we also illustrate the implications of the old and new GAFF2-type models for mechanical properties by mimicking self-assembled monolayer indentation.

We explored the functional role of individual otoconia within the otolith system of mammalians responsible for the detection of linear accelerations and head tilts in relation to the gravity vector. Details of the inner structure and the shape of intact human and artificial otoconia were studied using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), including decalcification by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to discriminate local calcium carbonate density. Considerable differences between the rhombohedral faces of human and artificial otoconia already indicate that the inner architecture of otoconia is not consistent with the point group -3m. This is clearly confirmed by decalcified otoconia specimen which are characterized by a non-centrosymmetric volume distribution of the compact 3+3 branches. This structural evidence for asymmetric mass distribution was further supported by light microscopy in combination with a high speed camera showing the movement of single otoconia specimen (artificial specimen) under gravitational influence within a viscous medium (artificial endolymph). Moreover, the response of otoconia to linear acceleration forces was investigated by particle dynamics simulations. Both, time-resolved microscopy and computer simulations of otoconia acceleration show that the dislocation of otoconia include significant rotational movement stemming from density asymmetry. Based on these findings, we suggest an otolith membrane expansion/stiffening mechanism for enhanced response to linear acceleration transmitted to the vestibular hair cells.

Fracture mechanisms of an enamel-like hydroxyapatite-collagen composite model are elaborated by means of molecular and coarse-grained dynamics simulation. Using fully atomistic models, we uncover molecular-scale plastic deformation and fracture processes initiated at the organic-inorganic interface. Furthermore, coarse-grained models are developed to investigate fracture patterns at the μm-scale. At the meso-scale, micro-fractures are shown to reduce local stress and thus prevent material failure after loading beyond the elastic limit. On the basis of our multi-scale simulation approach, we provide a molecular scale rationalization of this phenomenon, which seems key to the resilience of hierarchical biominerals, including teeth and bone.

A molecular dynamics simulation approach to the investigation of grain boundary structures is presented. By the example of aluminum crystallization from the melt we demonstrate the formation of polycrystalline structures from coexisting nucleation seeds. The latter are used to induce specific crystallographic orientations and hence determine the tilting of the grains resulting from further crystal growth. This allows the systematic investigation of the evolution of grain boundary structures as a function of the tilt angle. On this basis, the transition from small- to high-angle grain boundaries in aluminum as obtained from rapid under-cooling of the melt is rationalized by arrays of two different sets of dislocation pairs.

A recently developed approach to exploring cavitation and fracture processes from molecular dynamics simulations is transferred to shear deformation. The unprejudiced mechanistic analysis is demonstrated for two test cases, a single crystalline model of aluminum and a modified aluminum block. The modification is initially incorporated by removing an atomic layer from the single crystalline model. However, in the course of sampling the trajectory space of deformation routes, this deficient structure is optimized in favor of a polycrystal. For the latter model, our approach allows the investigation of shear deformation by dislocation slipping along the grain boundaries.

The subsequent melting/crystallization of the two sub-lattices of CaF2 is explored by molecular dynamics simulations. Both, heating from 100 K and cooling from 2500 K encompasses two transitions, i.e. the melting/recrystallization of the fluoride sub-lattice and the of whole crystal at different temperatures. Solid state F− ion conductivity is observed in a temperature range of about 1500–2000 K which reflects a reasonable agreement with the experiment. A systematic study of fluoride migration revealed the atomistic mechanisms of the spontaneous formation of Frenkel defects, followed by void translocation and terminated by recombination of interstitial fluoride ions and vacancies.

We present a transferable technique for the preparation of atomistic models mimicking ion conductor heterolayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. On this basis, CaF2/BaF2 sandwich structures involv...

The investigation of the atomistic mechanisms of crystal nucleation constitutes a major challenge to both experiment and theory. Understanding the underlying principles of composite materials formation represents an even harder task. For the investigation of the mechanisms of crystal nucleation a profound knowledge of the ion–solvent and the ion–ion interactions in solution is required. Studying biocomposites like fluorapatite–collagen materials, we must furthermore account for the biomolecules and their effect on the growth process. Molecular simulation approaches directly offer atomistic resolution and hence appear particularly suited for detailed mechanistic analyses. However, the computational effort is typically immense and for a long time the investigation of crystal nucleation from atomistic simulations was considered as impossible. We therefore developed special simulation strategies, which allowed to considerably extent the limitations of computational studies in this field. In combination with advanced experimental investigations this provided new insights into the nucleation of biomimetic apatite–gelatin composites and the mechanisms of hierarchical growth at the micro- and mesoscopic scale. Along this line, molecular simulation studies reflect a powerful tool to achieve a profound understanding of the complex growth processes of apatite/collagen composites. Apart from reviewing related work we outline future directions and discuss the perspectives of simulation studies for the investigation of biomineralization processes in general.

We outline a simple and efficient approach to generating molecular models of amorphous polymer networks. Similar to established techniques of preparing woven polymer networks from quenching high-temperature molecular simulation runs, we use a molecular dynamics simulations of a generic melt as starting points. This generic melt is however only used to describe parts of the polymers, namely the cross-linker units which positions are adopted from particle positions of the quenched melt. Specific degrees of network connectivity are tuned by geometric criteria for linker-linker connections and by suitable multi-body interaction potentials applied to the generic melt simulations. Using this technique we demonstrate adjusting fourfold linker coordination in amorphous polymer networks comprising 10-20% under-coordinated linkers. Graphical Abstract Molecular modeling of amorphous, non-woven polymer networks.

Tuning the electrostatics of ethylene-glycol-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by doping with ions is shown. Molecular dynamics simulations unravel binding mechanisms and predict dipole strengths of the doped layers. Additionally, by applying such layers as dielectrics in organic thin-film transistors, the incorporated ions are proven to enhance device performance by lowering the threshold voltage and increasing conductivity.

The transformation of the low-temperature (monoclinic, P21/b) to the high-temperature (hexagonal, P63/m) modification of hydroxyapatiteCa5[(OH)(PO4)3]is investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations. In the monoclinic phase the orientation of the hydroxide ions is strictly ordered. Above the critical temperature of about 200 °C orientational changes of the hydroxide ions are observed. In the course of each reorientation event a hydroxide ion passes through the surrounding calcium triangle. From an Arrhenius fit the related activation energy is calculated. In the high-temperature phase the hydroxide ions are statistically disordered. Out of the two possible concepts for the formation and structure of hexagonal hydroxyapatite, our simulations clearly identify the disordering of hydroxide ions orientation to occur in a nonconcerted manner, i.e., collective reorientation of OH- ion rows is not observed.

We used a geometric approach to derive models for the transition B1 (NaCl) to B2 (CsCl) type structure. This enabled us to construct several dynamical transition states, corresponding to different mechanistic pathways. From this, transition trajectories were obtained, which served as starting points for path sampling molecular dynamics simulations. We point out the difference of this approach from approaches based on energy calculations, and demonstrate that a preferred mechanism can be clearly discriminated.

Molecular models of 5 nm sized ZnO/Zn(OH)2 core-shell nanoparticles in ethanolic solution were derived as scale-up models (based on an earlier model created from ion-by-ion aggregation and self-organization) and subjected to mechanistic analyses of surface stabilization by block-copolymers. The latter comprise a poly-methacrylate chain accounting for strong surfactant association to the nanoparticle by hydrogen bonding and salt-bridges. While dangling poly-ethylene oxide chains provide only a limited degree of sterical hindering to nanoparticle agglomeration, the key mechanism of surface stabilization is electrostatic shielding arising from the acrylates and a halo of Na+ counter ions associated to the nanoparticle. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal different solvent shells and distance-dependent mobility of ions and solvent molecules. From this, we provide a molecular rationale of effective particle size, net charge and polarizability of the nanoparticles in solution.

A fabrication method of a multifunctional hybrid material is achieved by using the insoluble organic nacre matrix of the Haliotis laevigata shell infiltrated with gelatin as a confined reaction environment. Inside this organic scaffold magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) are synthesized. The amount of MNPs can be controlled through the synthesis protocol therefore mineral loadings starting from 15 wt % up to 65 wt % can be realized. The demineralized organic nacre matrix is characterized by small-angle and very-small-angle neutron scattering (SANS and VSANS) showing an unchanged organic matrix structure after demineralization compared to the original mineralized nacre reference. Light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy studies of stained samples show the presence of insoluble proteins at the chitin surface but not between the chitin layers. Successful and homogeneous gelatin infiltration in between the chitin layers can be shown. The hybrid material is characterized by TEM and shows a layered structure filled with MNPs with a size of around 10 nm. Magnetic analysis of the material demonstrates superparamagnetic behavior as characteristic for the particle size. Simulation studies show the potential of collagen and chitin to act as nucleators, where there is a slight preference of chitin over collagen as a nucleator for magnetite. Colloidal-probe AFM measurements demonstrate that introduction of a ferrogel into the chitin matrix leads to a certain increase in the stiffness of the composite material.

The association of Ag(+) ions and the early stage of Ag nanoparticle nucleation are investigated from molecular dynamics simulations. Combining special techniques for tackling crystal nucleation from solution with efficient approaches to model redox-reactions, we unravel the structural evolution of forming silver nanoparticles as a function of the redox-potential in the solution. Within a range of only 1 eV, the redox-potential is demonstrated to have a drastic effect on both the inner structure and the overall shape of the forming particles. On the basis of our simulations we identify surface charge and its distribution as an atomic scale mechanism that accounts for creating/avoiding 5-fold coordination polyhedra and thus the degree of (multiple)-twinning in silver nanoparticles.

We report molecular dynamics simulations of shear in a biomimetic hydroxyapatite-collagen composite. Our model exhibits elastic properties fully dominated by the inorganic component. However, beyond the elastic regime the biomolecules along with the hierarchical nature of the composite account for the formation of structure-inherent slip zones. These accommodate shear without compromising the overall structure and lead to the sliding of intrinsically defined rods at roughly constant restoring force. Upon releasing load, rod displacement is reversible and backcreep is observed as gradual ionic rearrangement in the slip zone, subjected to an activation barrier.

A simple preparation of thermoreversible gelatin-based ferrogels in water provides a constant structure defined by the crosslinking degree for gelatin contents between 6 and 18 wt%. The possibility of varying magnetite nanoparticle concentration between 20 and 70 wt% is also reported. Simulation studies hint at the suitability of collagen to bind iron and hydroxide ions, suggesting that collagen acts as a nucleation seed to iron hydroxide aggregation, and thus the intergrowth of collagen and magnetite nanoparticles already at the precursor stage. The detailed structure of the individual ferrogel components is characterized by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) using contrast matching. The magnetite structure characterization is supplemented by small-angle X-ray scattering and microscopy only visualizing magnetite. SANS shows an unchanged gelatin structure of average mesh size larger than the nanoparticles with respect to gel concentration while the magnetite nanoparticles size of around 10 nm seems to be limited by the gel mesh size. Swelling measurements underline that magnetite acts as additional crosslinker and therefore varying the magnetic and mechanical properties of the ferrogels. Overall, the simple and variable synthesis protocol, the cheap and easy accessibility of the components as well as the biocompatibility of the gelatin-based materials suggest them for a number of applications including actuators.

[1] It is shown that the mechanic properties of MgSiO3 at temperature and pressure conditions of the Earth's D″ layer are strongly affected by perovskite/post-perovskite stacking faults and, more generally, perovskite → post-perovskite → perovskite phase transitions. We employ molecular dynamics simulations to explore different shearing routes for {010} layers in the perovskite structure. While the yield strength was found as about 1 GPa for layer displacement along [100], [101] and [001], the underlying mechanisms differ considerably. Shear along [101] induces the formation of a perovskite/post-perovskite stacking fault. Once such a stacking fault arrangement is formed, further shearing is facilitated and the yield strength is reduced to 0.25 GPa. Thus, perovskite/post-perovskite stacking faults and/or perovskite/post-perovskite phase interfaces are suggested as the preferential slip layers of MgSiO3 in the Earth's D″ layer.

We describe the formation of BaTiO3 superstructures from precursor nanoparticles and the use of ferroelectric properties to trigger a hierarchical growth mechanism. Without specific treatment, the precursor nanoparticles comprise of ferroelectric domains that are oriented randomly (domains of the same spontaneous polarisation). However, using an external electric field the ferroelectric polarization of all domains can be oriented into the same direction and an enduring microscopic dipole results for each precursor nanoparticle. Self-organization of the polarized BaTiO3 nanoparticles to dumbbell- and cross-shaped superstructures was observed as a combined result of nanoparticle alignment by the electric field and crystallographic fusion of the nanoparticles under defined coincidence angles following an oriented attachment process. These structures were characterized by electron microscopy and the nanoparticle superstructure formation guided by electrical dipole fields is explained by molecular modeling. The combination of an orienting physical field with the crystallographic lock in dictated by the crystal lattice is a new mechanism for the guided self-organization of nanoparticles.