Hybrid MC-DFT method for studying multidimensional entropic forces.
Entropic force has been a focus of many recent theoretical studies because of its fundamental importance in solution thermodynamics and its close relevance to a broad range of practical applications. Whereas previous investigations are mostly concerned with the potential energy as a one-dimensional function of the separation, here we propose a hybrid method for studying multidimensional systems by combining Monte Carlo simulation for the microscopic configurations of the solvent and the density functional theory for the free energy. We demonstrate that the hybrid method predicts the potential of mean force between a test particle and various concave objects in a hard-sphere solvent in excellent agreement with the results from alternative but more expensive computational methods. In particular, the hybrid method captures the entropic force between asymmetric particles and its dependence on the particle size and shape that underlies the "lock and key" interactions. Because the same molecular model is used for the theory and simulation, we expect that the hybrid method provides a new avenue to efficient computation of entropic forces in complex molecular systems.
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0444, USA.
Zhehui
Z
Jin
Jianzhong
J
Wu
D019277:Entropy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D010316:Particle Size; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D012997:Solvents