Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol.112, No.3, 1474-1482, 2000
Ion pairing and dissociation at liquid/liquid interfaces: Molecular dynamics and continuum models
The thermodynamics and dynamics of NaCl ion-pair dissociation at the water/1,2-dichloroethane liquid/liquid interface are examined using a continuum electrostatic model, molecular dynamics free energy calculations, and nonequilibrium dynamic trajectory calculations. The continuum model shows increased stability of the ion pair relative to that in bulk water and strong dependence of the potential of mean force on the orientation and location of the ion pair relative to the interface. These are in qualitative agreement with the molecular dynamics results. In particular, the equilibrium free energy calculations show that the ion pair is locally stable at the interface and that the dissociation must involve ion transfer and considerable change in the interface structure. These are also confirmed by the nonequilibrium dynamics calculations: Dissociation of the ion pair at the interface involves a simultaneous transfer of both ions into the aqueous side of the interface. The faster transfer of the sodium than the chloride ion influences the lifetime of the ion pair at the interface. In particular, a strong dependence of the ion pair's stability on its orientation is found.