A parallel algorithm for step- and chain-growth polymerization in molecular dynamics

作者:de Buyl Pierre*; Nies Erik
来源:Journal of Chemical Physics, 2015, 142(13): 134102.
DOI:10.1063/1.4916313

摘要

Classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations provide insight into the properties of many soft-matter systems. In some situations, it is interesting to model the creation of chemical bonds, a process that is not part of the MD framework. In this context, we propose a parallel algorithm for step- and chain-growth polymerization that is based on a generic reaction scheme, works at a given intrinsic rate and produces continuous trajectories. We present an implementation in the ESPResSo++ simulation software and compare it with the corresponding feature in LAMMPS. For chain growth, our results are compared to the existing simulation literature. For step growth, a rate equation is proposed for the evolution of the crosslinker population that compares well to the simulations for low crosslinker functionality or for short times.

  • 出版日期2015-4-7