Electrostatic potential gap at the interface between triethylamine and water phases studied by molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular dynamics calculations were carried out in order to investigate the interfacial properties of the two-phase coexistence state of the triethylamine (TEA) and water mixture, which is known to have a lower critical soluble temperature. Two kinds of initial configuration were adopted. One was a two-phase coexistence state and the other was a random mixed state of TEA and water molecules. After an equilibration calculation of several nanoseconds, the density profiles converged to the same equilibrated two-phase coexistence state. In the equilibrated state, anisotropic orientations were observed for both molecules, which makes an electrostatic potential gap between these phases.