We perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a water capillary bridge (WCB) expanding between two identical chemically heterogeneous surfaces. The model surfaces, based on the structure of silica, are hydrophobic and are decorated by a hydrophilic (hydroxylated silica) patch that is in contact with the WCB. Our MD simulations results, including the WCB profile and forces induced on the walls, are in agreement with capillarity theory even at the smallest wall separations studied, h = 2.5–3 nm. Remarkably, the energy stored in the WCB can be relatively large, with an energy density that is comparable to that harvested by water-responsive materials used in actuators and nanogenerators.

中文翻译：

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能量存储在修补表面之间的纳米级水毛细管桥中。

我们执行在两个相同的化学异质表面之间扩展的水毛细管桥（WCB）的分子动力学（MD）模拟。基于二氧化硅结构的模型表面是疏水的，并通过与WCB接触的亲水性（羟基化二氧化硅）补丁进行装饰。我们的MD模拟结果，包括WCB轮廓和在壁上产生的力，即使在研究的最小壁间距h = 2.5–3 nm时，也与毛细理论相符。值得注意的是，存储在WCB中的能量可能相对较大，其能量密度与致动器和纳米发电机中使用的水响应材料所收集的能量密度相当。