Role of site–site interaction on the phase equilibria of multiple-site associating fluids in a functionalized slit pore

Abstract

Vapor–liquid phase equilibria for multiple sites associating fluids with different associating strengths are investigated in a slit pore using grand-canonical transition matrix Monte Carlo method. The increase of critical temperature from two-site to four-site associating fluids at constant site strength is quite significant as compared to that of the one-site to two-site associating fluids, which is more pronounced at higher associating strength (ϵ* = 6). Monomer fraction and cluster size distribution are used to investigate the association of fluid particles in coexistence phases. The monomer fraction for both phases decreases with increased associating sites on the fluid particles due to more site–site interaction with neighboring fluid particles and forming a larger cluster. Therefore, the number of associating sites and their distribution play a vital role in the association of fluid particles. Moreover, the saturation chemical potential changes with the arrangement of the sites. For two-site associating fluids, we observe early vapor–liquid transition when the sites are oppositely placed, and when the sites are placed at 90°, the vapor–liquid transition is observed at the higher chemical potential. Moreover, four-site associating fluids with a square arrangement show early vapor–liquid phase transition, mainly because these arrangements of sites effectively interact with surface sites and the molecules in the next layer.