Molecular Modeling Analysis of CO2 Absorption by Glymes.

The properties of diglyme + CO2 systems were analyzed through density functional theory and molecular dynamics methods with the objective of inferring the microscopic properties of CO2 capture by glyme-based solvents and the effect of ether group regarding solvents affinity toward CO2. Calculations of diglyme + CO2 molecular clusters using density functional theory allowed accurate quantification and characterization of short-range intermolecular forces between these molecules, whereas the molecular dynamics simulation of diglyme + CO2 liquid mixtures, for different CO2 contents, were the means to infer the properties and dynamics of bulk liquid phases upon CO2 absorption. Likewise, liquid diglyme + CO2 gas interfaces were also studied using molecular dynamics methods to examine the kinetics of CO2 capture, adsorption at the gas-liquid interface, and the mechanism of interface crossing, which is of pivotal importance for the design of CO2 capturing units.