Efficient simulation method for nano-patterned charged surfaces in an electrolyte solution

Abstract

We present a method to efficiently simulate nano-patterned charged surfaces inside an electrolyte solution. Simulations are performed in the grand canonical ensemble and are used to calculate the force between surfaces with various charge patterns. The electric field produced by the surfaces is calculated analytically and is used as an external potential. To treat the long range Coulomb interaction between the ions we use a modified 3d Ewald summation method. The force between the surfaces is found to depend strongly on the specific charge pattern, on the surface alignment and separation.