A method for creating a non-equilibrium NT(P1 − P2) ensemble in molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract

A method is proposed for creating a non-equilibrium ensemble with a constant number of molecules, constant temperature and constant pressures with different target values in two reservoirs [referred to as NT(P₁ − P₂) ensemble] that are connected by a finite length nanopore. This method includes two steps. The first step places a partition between the two reservoirs and then creates a static pressure field and a proper system volume by using two self-adjusting plates on which two external forces/pressures with different target values are exerted. The second step removes the partition and the two self-adjusting plates and the pressure difference between the two reservoirs is maintained by a “pump” designed to simultaneously create a periodic boundary condition between the two reservoirs and supply the necessary force (work) to a subset of molecules for a steady state flow. To examine this method, several cases using liquid argon with a truncated and shift Lennard-Jones potential under different target pressures and pump sizes were studied. Results show that the method proposed in this paper works well. In addition, the method proposed in this paper was compared with the other external force field methods. The results show that as long as the external force is applied to a restricted set of molecules away from the channel a constant pressure difference between two reservoirs is maintained. The advantage of the algorithm proposed here also sets the absolute pressures with different target levels in two reservoirs instead of it being arbitrary. Studies show that the fluid flow rate or permeability through a nanopore depends not only on the pressure difference between two reservoirs, but also on the absolute pressures in two reservoirs.