Thermomolecular Orientation of Nonpolar Fluids

We investigate the response of molecular fluids to temperature gradients. Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics computer simulations we show that nonpolar diatomic fluids adopt a preferred orientation as a response to a temperature gradient. We find that the magnitude of this thermomolecular orien...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Römer, Frank, Bresme, Fernando, Muscatello, Jordan, Bedeaux, Dick, Rubí Capaceti, José Miguel
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/133403
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/133403
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Dinàmica de fluids
Dinàmica molecular
Fluid dynamics
Molecular dynamics
Descripción
Sumario:We investigate the response of molecular fluids to temperature gradients. Using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics computer simulations we show that nonpolar diatomic fluids adopt a preferred orientation as a response to a temperature gradient. We find that the magnitude of this thermomolecular orientation effect is proportional to the strength of the temperature gradient and the degree of molecular anisotropy, as defined by the different size or mass of the molecular atomic sites. We show that the preferred orientation of the molecules follows the same trends observed in the Soret effect of binary mixtures. We argue this is a general effect that should be observed in a wide range of length scales.