The Aqueous Ca2+ System, in Comparison with Zn2+, Fe3+, and Al3+: An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study
Results of Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics (AIMD) simulations of a Ca2+ ion in an aqueous environment (64 waters, 38ps=5ps equilibration + 33ps data collection, 300K) are reported. The 1st hydration shell contains 6-7 waters with d(OH) = 0.97Å (identical to our bulk water estimate) and average tilt angle, I = 32º. The 1st maximum in the radial distribution function occurs at GCaO(r) = 2.45Å. Our results compare well with published experimental structural data from X-Ray Absorption (XAFS) and Neutron Diffraction. We also generate simulated XAFS spectra using a 1st principles MD-XAFS procedure and show quantitative agreement with experimental XAFS data from a 0.2m Ca(ClO4)2 aqueous solution. The Ca2+ 1st shell water dipole moment of 3.1D is identical to our bulk water estimate (3.1D). The structured 2nd hydration shell, composed of ~16.5 waters, has a maximum at GCaO(r) =4.6Å. The average 2nd shell dipole moment = 2.9D, is suppressed relative to bulk water values. Detailed H-bond analysis demonstrates the waters in this shell predominately coordinate 1st shell waters with a trigonally structured H-bond network. Two exchanges between the 1st hydration shell and the bulk were observed. These were consistent with a dissociative and dissociative interchange Eigen-Wilkins ligand exchange mechanism. Many transfers between the 2nd shell and bulk are detected for Ca2+ allowing an estimation of the 2nd shell mean residence time (MRT) of 4.6ps. Comparison of the Ca2+ hydration shell structure and dynamics with those of the recently reported Zn2+, Fe3+ and Al3+ cation species show that the 1st and 2nd hydration shell parameters, d(M-OI) distance, CNII, H-bond d(OI-OII) distance and %Tetrahedral structure are correlated with cation charge density, the ratio of cation charge (Z) and size (Rion). However, important exceptions are d(M-OII) and the 2nd shell Mean Residence Time (MRT). These differences are explained in terms of the 1st shell structure parameters (d(M-OI) distance and tilt angle I which are strongly influenced by the valence electronic structure of the Ca2+, Zn2+, Fe3+, and Al3+ cation species. The average 2nd shell dipole moment for all cations are found to be suppressed relative to bulk water.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1072844
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-88496; 39395; KC0301020; KJ0402000
- Journal Information:
- Chemistry - A European Journal, 19(9):3047-3060, Journal Name: Chemistry - A European Journal, 19(9):3047-3060
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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