Abstract:
We use molecular dynamics simulations to study liquid droplets and bridges inside crystalline pores having triangular, square, hexagonal, and circular cross-sections of varying dimensions. The role of wettability is also investigated by varying solid-fluid interaction strengths. We analyze the stability of liquid droplet or bridge, the density distribution within a droplet or bridge, and the propensity of liquid to occupy corners of polygonal cross-sections of pores. The solid-fluid interfacial free energies calculated from Monte Carlo simulations and a thermodynamic model are used to estimate the free energy change of liquid occupying the corners of a pore. Liquid droplets and liquid bridges are observed for weakly and strongly attractive nanopores, respectively. Both droplets and bridges are unstable inside nanopores having the largest cross-sectional dimension smaller than 10 molecular diameters. Both the liquid configurations are more unstable inside nanopores having hexagonal cross-sections. The propensity of liquid to occupy the corners of a polygonal cross-section of a nanopore decreases with decrease in the number of sides of the polygon.