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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Bias-dependent local structure of water molecules at a metallic interface

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Author(s):
Pedroza, Luana S. [1, 2] ; Brandimarte, Pedro [3, 4] ; Rocha, Alexandre Reily [5] ; Fernandez-Serra, M. -V. [6, 7]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed ABC, Ctr Ciencias Nat & Humanas, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Fis Teor, ICTP South Amer Inst Fundamental Res, BR-01140070 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[3] Ctr Fis Mat, Donostia San Sebastian 20018, Gipuzkoa - Spain
[4] Donostia Int Phys Ctr, Donostia San Sebastian 20018, Gipuzkoa - Spain
[5] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Fis Teor, BR-01140070 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[6] SUNY Stony Brook, Dept Phys & Astron, Stony Brook, NY 11794 - USA
[7] SUNY Stony Brook, Inst Adv Computat Sci, Stony Brook, NY 11794 - USA
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: CHEMICAL SCIENCE; v. 9, n. 1, p. 62-69, JAN 7 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Understanding the local structure of water at the interfaces of metallic electrodes is a key issue in aqueousbased electrochemistry. Nevertheless a realistic simulation of such a setup is challenging, particularly when the electrodes are maintained at different potentials. To correctly compute the effect of an external bias potential applied to truly semi-infinite surfaces, we combine Density Functional Theory (DFT) and NonEquilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) methods. This framework allows for the out-of-equilibrium calculation of forces and dynamics, and directly correlates to the chemical potential of the electrodes, which is introduced experimentally. In this work, we apply this methodology to study the electronic properties and atomic forces of a water molecule at the interface of a gold surface. We find that the water molecule tends to align its dipole moment with the electric field, and it is either repelled or attracted to the metal depending on the sign and magnitude of the applied bias, in an asymmetric fashion. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/11973-4 - ICTP South American Institute for Fundamental Research: a regional center for theoretical physics
Grantee:Nathan Jacob Berkovits
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants