Dispersion-corrected Moller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory

in Journal of Chemical Physics (2009), 131

We show that the often unsatisfactory performance of Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) for the dispersion interaction between closed-shell molecules can be rectified by adding a ... [more ▼]

We show that the often unsatisfactory performance of Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) for the dispersion interaction between closed-shell molecules can be rectified by adding a correction Δ C n / Rn, to its long-range behavior. The dispersion-corrected MP2 (MP2+ΔvdW) results are in excellent agreement with the quantum chemistry "gold standard" [coupled cluster theory with single, double and perturbative triple excitations, CCSD(T)] for a range of systems bounded by hydrogen bonding, electrostatics and dispersion forces. The MP2+ΔvdW method is only mildly dependent on the short-range damping function and consistently outperforms state-of-the-art dispersion-corrected density-functional theory. © 2009 American Institute of Physics. [less ▲]

On the accuracy of density-functional theory exchange-correlation functionals for H bonds in small water clusters. II. the water hexamer and van der Waals interactions

in Journal of Chemical Physics (2008), 129(19),

Second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory at the complete basis set limit and diffusion quantum Monte Carlo are used to examine several low energy isomers of the water hexamer. Both approaches ... [more ▼]

Second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory at the complete basis set limit and diffusion quantum Monte Carlo are used to examine several low energy isomers of the water hexamer. Both approaches predict the so-called prism to be the lowest energy isomer, followed by cage, book, and cyclic isomers. The energies of the four isomers are very similar, all being within 10-15 meV/ H2 O. These reference data are then used to evaluate the performance of several density-functional theory exchange-correlation (xc) functionals. A subset of the xc functionals tested for smaller water clusters [I. Santra, J. Chem. Phys. 127, 184104 (2007)] has been considered. While certain functionals do a reasonable job at predicting the absolute dissociation energies of the various isomers (coming within 10-20 meV/ H2 O), none predict the correct energetic ordering of the four isomers nor does any predict the correct low total energy isomer. All xc functionals tested either predict the book or cyclic isomers to have the largest dissociation energies. A many-body decomposition of the total interaction energies within the hexamers leads to the conclusion that the failure lies in the poor description of van der Waals (dispersion) forces in the xc functionals considered. It is shown that the addition of an empirical pairwise (attractive) C6 R-6 correction to certain functionals allows for an improved energetic ordering of the hexamers. The relevance of these results to density-functional simulations of liquid water is also briefly discussed. © 2008 American Institute of Physics. [less ▲]

Classification of hexagonal adlayer arrangements by means of collective geometrical properties

in Journal of Chemical Physics (2006), 125(16),

Unequal-sphere packing model is applied for the simulation of large number of hexagonal adlayer structures with surface coverage between θ= 1 3 and θ=1 on the hexagonal substrate, with atomic radius of ... [more ▼]

Unequal-sphere packing model is applied for the simulation of large number of hexagonal adlayer structures with surface coverage between θ= 1 3 and θ=1 on the hexagonal substrate, with atomic radius of the adsorbate and substrate atoms as the only input. Each structure is characterized with respect to collective adlayer properties: the average adlayer height and the adlayer roughness. The distribution of hexagonal arrangements is presented in a special plot, which can be used for identification and characterization of hexagonal adlayers of different surface coverages and atomic registries. The most likely structures are related to the extreme values of our model parameters. The usefulness of this methodology is successfully demonstrated by comparison with some real adsorbate-substrate systems, i.e., halogens and rare gases adsorbed on (111) surface. Besides the agreement with experimental results, our model offers new insight into the formation of atomic adlayers and detailed analysis of the atomic registry. We believe that our approach will be of use for identification of probable structures among the large number of combinatorial possibilities in theoretical studies and for better interpretation of experimental results (i.e., scanning-tunneling microscopy images of atomic adlayers). © 2006 American Institute of Physics. [less ▲]

Isotropic-nematic interfacial tension of hard and soft rods: Application of advanced grand canonical biased-sampling techniques

in Journal of Chemical Physics (2005), 123(7),

Gravity-induced liquid crystal phase transitions of colloidal platelets

in Journal of Chemical Physics (2004), 121(11), 5423-5426

he influence of gravity on a suspension of sterically stabilized colloidal gibbsite platelets is studied. An initially isotropic-nematic biphasic sample of such a suspension develops a columnar phase on ... [more ▼]

he influence of gravity on a suspension of sterically stabilized colloidal gibbsite platelets is studied. An initially isotropic-nematic biphasic sample of such a suspension develops a columnar phase on the bottom on prolonged standing. This phenomenon is described using a simple osmotic compression model. We performed Monte Carlo simulations of cut spheres with aspect ratio L/D = 1/15 and took data from the literature to supply the equations of state required for the model. We find that the model describes the observed three-phase equilibrium quite well. [less ▲]