Using Constrained Density Functional Theory to Track Proton Transfers and to Sample Their Associated Free Energy Surface

30 June 2021, Version 1
This content is a preprint and has not undergone peer review at the time of posting.

Abstract

The ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods are powerful tools for studying proton solvation, transfer, and transport processes in various environments. However, due to the high computational cost of such methods, achieving sufficient sampling of rare events involving excess proton motion – especially when Grotthuss proton shuttling is involved – usually requires enhanced free energy sampling methods to obtain informative results. Moreover, an appropriate collective variable (CV) that describes the effective position of the net positive charge defect associated with an excess proton is essential for both tracking the trajectory of the defect and for the free energy sampling of the processes associated with the resulting proton transfer and transport. In this work, such a CV is derived from first principles using constrained density functional theory (CDFT). This CV is applicable to a broad array of proton transport and transfer processes.

Supplementary materials

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Title
Using Constrained Density Functional Theory to Track Proton Transfers and to Sample Their Associated Free Energy Surface
Description
A new collective variable is derived from first principles using constrained density functional theory that is applicable to describing a broad array of proton transport and transfer processes.
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