Research on the dispersion and stability of nanoparticles
in liquid
media is one of the key subjects for nanomaterial utilization. In
consideration of the preponderance of coarse-grained (CG) molecular
dynamics (MD) simulation in following and understanding the structure
and dynamics on the nanoscale, an improved CG model for nanoparticles
based on the Martini force field is established to facilitate the
more extensive applications of this simulation method and further
studies on complex nanoparticle liquid systems. Gel ink is selected
as the liquid system for nanoparticles to validate the improved CG
model on the one hand and introduce the CGMD simulation method into
the studies of this system on the other. The calculation shows that
the improved model can provide relatively precise results and has
good computational stability. The effect mechanisms of the thickener
and disperser on the carbon black nanoparticle are similar, namely
the result of a delicate balance between the interaction of the thickener/disperser
with the carbon black nanoparticle and the interaction of the thickener
and disperser with each other. Furthermore, the phase assimilating
effect of disperser molecules is key for separating the agglomerated
carbon black nanoparticles; thereafter, the space steric hindrance
effect and the electrostatic hindrance effect play main roles in maintaining
the dispersion of carbon black nanoparticles.