Joan E Curry
Publications
Abstract:
When a surface is placed in a vapor, several layers of molecules may adsorb depending on the intermolecular forces involved. As two such surfaces are brought together, a critical point is reached at which the gas condenses between the surfaces, forming a capillary across the gap. A cohesive force is associated with the condensed bridge. The reverse process wherein the capillary bridge degenerates as the surfaces are moved apart is called snap-off. These processes play a profound role on scales from the nano to the macro. We have studied this phenomenon via isostrain grand canonical Monte Carlo statistical mechanical simulations for Lennard-Jones fluids. Specifically, we have examined capillary condensation and snap-off between nanocontacts, infinite rectilinear nanowires, and finite rectilinear nanoplatelets, where macroscale concepts and theories are just about impossible to apply. These results are compared to condensation between infinite parallel plates. We discuss our results in terms of the Kelvin equation and van der Waals film-thickening model.
Abstract:
In order to investigate the efficiency of sulfate green rust (GR2) to remove Ni from solution, GR2 samples were synthesized under controlled laboratory conditions. Some GR2 samples were synthesized from Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulfate salts by precipitation. Other samples were prepared by coprecipitation, of Ni(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulfate salts, i.e., in the presence of Ni. In another sample, Ni(II) sulfate salt was added to pre-formed GR2. After an initial X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization all samples were exposed to ambient air in order to understand the role of Ni in the transformation of the GR2 samples. XRD was repeated after 45 days. The results showed that Nious GR2 prepared by coprecipitation is isomorphous to Ni-free GR2, i.e. Ni is incorporated into the crystalline structure. Fe(II) was not replaced by Ni(II) in the crystalline structure of GR2 formed prior to exposure to solution-phase Ni. This suggests Ni was adsorbed to the GR2 surface. Sulfate green rust is more efficient in removing Ni from the environment by coprecipitation.
Abstract:
The grand canonical Monte Carlo method is used to study a binary mixture of Lennard-Jones atoms confined to a corrugated slit micropore which is in thermodynamic equilibrium with its bulk phase counterpart. The micropore has atomically structured walls; one of the which possesses nanoscale structure in the form of rectilinear grooves (corrugation). The grooved surface divides the confined fluid film into two strip shaped regions, that inside and that outside the grooves. Transverse solidlike order in the film gives rise to shear stress. Transverse order coupled with packing restrictions give rise to a difference between the pore and bulk fluid mixture compositions. Solidlike order may appear within the grooves only, outside the grooves only, or in both regions simultaneously. As the relative alignment of the walls is shifted the pore fluid undergoes freeze-thaw cycles in one or both regions with associated changes in the shear stress and pore fluid composition. The degree of transverse order in the film is less than would be expected in a pure Lennard-Jones film and fluid-solid phase transitions are gradual as opposed to sudden as seen in pure Lennard-Jones films. The magnitude of the shear stress is greatest when a fluid-solid phase transition occurs in both regions of the pore. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.
Abstract:
Ni(II)-Fe(II)-Fe(III) layered double hydroxides (LDH) or Ni-containing sulfate green rust (GR2) samples were prepared from Ni(II), Fe(II) and Fe(III) sulfate salts and analyzed with X ray diffraction. Nickel is readily incorporated in the GR2 structure and forms a solid solution between GR2 and a Ni(II)-Fe(III) LDH. There is a correlation between the unit cell a-value and the fraction of Ni(II) incorporated into the Ni(II)-GR2 structure. Since there is strong evidence that the divalent/trivalent cation ratio in GR2 is fixed at 2, it is possible in principle to determine the extent of divalent cation substitution for Fe(II) in GR2 from the unit cell a-value. Oxidation forms a mixture of minerals but the LDH structure is retained if at least 20 % of the divalent cations in the initial solution are Ni(II). It appears that Ni(II) is incorporated in a stable LDH structure. This may be important for two reasons, first for understanding the formation of LDHs, which are anion exchangers, in the natural environment. Secondly, this is important for understanding the fate of transition metals in the environment, particularly in the presence of reduced Fe compounds.
Abstract:
Molecular dynamics and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations were conducted in order to understand better the relationship between the diffusion of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (OMCTS) and cyclohexane monolayers and the atomic structure of confining mica surfaces. It was found that diffusion increases with reduced fluid density. With the surface separation just large enough to accommodate a monolayer, lateral diffusion was direction dependent due to the influence of the atomically structured surfaces.