The effects of phase transitions, surface diffusion, and defects on surface catalyzed reactions: Fluctuations and oscillations

Entropic long-range ordering in an adsorption-desorption model

We examine a two-dimensional nonequilibrium lattice model where particles adsorb at empty sites and desorb when the number of neighboring particles is greater than a given threshold. In a certain range of parameters the model exhibits entropic ordering similar to some hard-core systems. However, contrary to hard-core systems, on increasing the density of particles the ordering is destroyed. In the heterogenous version of our model, a regime with slow dynamics appears that might indicate formation of some kind of glassy structures.

Spatially adaptive grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulations

A spatially adaptive Monte Carlo method is introduced directly from the underlying microscopic mechanisms, which satisfies detailed balance, gives the correct noise, and describes accurately dynamic and equilibrium states for adsorption-desorption (grand canonical ensemble) processes. It enables simulations of large scales while capturing sharp gradients with molecular resolution at significantly reduced computational cost. A posteriori estimates, in the sense used in finite-elements methods, are developed for assessing errors (information loss) in coarse-graining and guiding mesh generation.

Derivation and validation of mesoscopic theories for diffusion of interacting molecules

A mesoscopic theory for diffusion of molecules interacting with a long-range potential is derived for Arrhenius microscopic dynamics. Gradient Monte Carlo simulations are presented on a one-dimensional lattice to assess the validity of the mesoscopic theory. Results are compared for Metropolis and Arrhenius microscopic dynamics. Non-Fickian behavior is demonstrated and it is shown that microscopic dynamics dictate the steady-state concentration profiles.