The behaviour of liquid alkanes near interfaces

Simulations of thick films of liquid alkanes supported on a wax-like substrate were carried out at a number of temperatures in order to investigate the structure and dynamics of molecules near the solid-liquid and the liquid-vapour interfaces. Films of butane, octane and a mixture were investigated. Near the solid surface the liquids were found to be structured and molecular diffusion slowed. However, there was no evidence of a frozen layer at this interface even near the bulk freezing temperature. The mixed liquid showed considerable segregation at both interfaces with preferential absorption of butane at the liquid-vapour interface and octane at the liquid-solid interface.