Isomerism of Trimeric Aluminum Complexes in Aqueous Environments: Exploration via DFT-Based Metadynamics Simulation

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of the Proton Transfer in Hydroxyl Ion-Induced Hydrolysis of Aluminum Monomers

The hydrolysis process of Al(H2O)63+ induced by hydroxyl ions (OH-) is significant to aluminum solution chemistry. Previous investigations of hydrolysis reactions have primarily relied on static calculations in an implicit solvent environment. Herein, we employ ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) to investigate the evolution process of Al(H2O)63+ under various local alkaline conditions in an explicit solvent environment. Our work demonstrates the effect of solvent water in hydrolysis reactions. Specifically, the stepwise hydrolysis reaction induced by hydroxyl ions involves water wire compression and concerted proton transfers. Dehydration reactions occur when the number of hydroxyl ligands attached to the aluminum ion (Al3+) equals or exceeds three. Moreover, the Al(H2O)n(OH)3 species exhibit unique hydrolysis and dehydration reaction characteristics compared to other species. The geometrically stable aluminum monomers determined by AIMD are Al(H2O)5(OH)12+, Al(H2O)4(OH)2+, Al(H2O)1(OH)3, and Al(OH)4-. In addition, the topological analysis analyzes the interaction between Al3+ and coordinated H2O in different configurations, indicating the weakest interaction appearing in Al(H2O)n(OH)3 species.

Ab initio molecular dynamics free energy study of enhanced copper (II) dimerization on mineral surfaces

Understanding the adsorption of isolated metal cations from water on to mineral surfaces is critical for toxic waste retention and cleanup in the environment. Heterogeneous nucleation of metal oxyhydroxides and other minerals on material surfaces is key to crystal growth and dissolution. The link connecting these two areas, namely cation dimerization and polymerization, is far less understood. In this work we apply ab initio molecular dynamics calculations to examine the coordination structure of hydroxide-bridged Cu(II) dimers, and the free energy changes associated with Cu(II) dimerization on silica surfaces. The dimer dissociation pathway involves sequential breaking of two Cu²⁺-OH^- bonds, yielding three local minima in the free energy profiles associated with 0-2 OH^- bridges between the metal cations, and requires the design of a (to our knowledge) novel reaction coordinate for the simulations. Cu(II) adsorbed on silica surfaces are found to exhibit stronger tendency towards dimerization than when residing in water. Cluster-plus-implicit-solvent methods yield incorrect trends if OH^- hydration is not correctly depicted. The predicted free energy landscapes are consistent with fast equilibrium times (seconds) among adsorbed structures, and favor Cu²⁺ dimer formation on silica surfaces over monomer adsorption.