Driving of a small solvated peptide in the IR and THz range--a comparative study of energy flow

J Phys Chem B. 2012 Aug 23;116(33):10020-5. doi: 10.1021/jp3021358. Epub 2012 Aug 13.

Abstract

We present a comparative study of energy flow from a vibrationally excited solvated dialanine molecule to the surrounding water in the IR and THz range. We employ the driven molecular dynamics (DMD) approach to investigate the energy flow from the solute molecule to water molecules. As a result, we find a more rapid and efficient energy flow from the solute to the water when exciting THz modes compared to IR modes. Our results show a strong coupling of the low frequency mode of the solute and the water dynamics in the THz regime. In contrast, when exciting the IR modes of the solute, we find much more localized motions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine / chemistry*
  • Dipeptides / chemistry*
  • Energy Transfer
  • Infrared Rays*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Dynamics Simulation
  • Solubility
  • Terahertz Radiation*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Dipeptides
  • Water
  • Alanine