Theoretical Study of Shocked Formic Acid: Born-Oppenheimer MD Calculations of the Shock Hugoniot and Early-Stage Chemistry.

Abstract

Quantum and classical molecular dynamics simulations are used to explore whether chemical reactivity of shocked formic acid occurs at pressures greater than 15 GPa, a question arising from results of different shock compression experiments. The classical molecular dynamics simulations were performed using a quantum-based nonreactive pair additive interaction potential whereas the full resolution quantum mechanical molecular dynamics simulations allow chemical reactions. Although the shock Hugoniot curve calculated using nonreactive classical MD for formic acid is in reasonable agreement with one set of experimental results, shock Hugoniot points calculated using Born-Oppenheimer MD at 30 GPa are in agreement with the set of experimental data that suggests chemical reactivity at these elevated temperatures and pressures. Examination of atomic positions throughout the Born-Oppenheimer MD trajectories clearly indicates extensive and complex chemical reaction, chiefly involving hydrogen-atom transfer and intermolecular complexation.