Molecular simulations of physical and chemical adsorption under gas and liquid environments using force field- and quantum mechanics-based methods

Abstract

Here we review our simulations of adsorption on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and platinum (Pt) catalysts, focusing on the modelling methods required to understand these two very different systems. MOFs are porous, crystalline materials with large surface areas, which are promising for a variety of adsorption applications. We review our simulations of gas uptake in PCN-53 (porous coordination network) as well as gas storage in MOFs functionalised with metal alkoxide sites. While fluid–solid interactions in both systems can be modelled quite well using algebraic force fields, the alkoxide sites in the functionalised MOFs require specialised versions, in order to describe the stronger adsorption energies. We discuss grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations of both systems. Pt is a common catalyst, and simulations have proven quite useful for providing molecular level details to understand its functionality. This involves understanding adsorption phenomena, which often requires quantum mechanical calculations. We describe our periodic boundary condition density functional theory (DFT) simulations of Pt-catalysed NO oxidation, focusing on adsorbate geometries and coverage effects. Finally, we describe one of the current ‘grand challenges’ in molecular simulations of adsorption, modelling catalytic activity in aqueous phase, which requires a combination of algebraic force fields, DFT and GCMC.