# Interaction of Ethanolamine with Magnetite Through Molecular Dynamic Simulations

**Authors:** Nikoleta Ivanova, Vasil Karastoyanov, Iva Betova, Martin Bojinov

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/molecules30153197 · 2025-07-30

## TL;DR

This paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to study how ethanolamine interacts with magnetite surfaces at different temperatures, revealing that higher temperatures increase adsorption rates due to electrostatic effects.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the temperature-dependent adsorption behavior of ethanolamine on magnetite surfaces using molecular dynamics simulations.

## Key findings

- The interaction between ethanolamine and magnetite is driven by electrostatic phenomena.
- Adsorption rates of ethanolamine increase with rising temperature.
- Simulation results align with existing experimental findings and MD studies.

## Abstract

Magnetite (Fe3O4) provides a protective corrosion layer in the steam generators of nuclear power plants. The presence of monoethanolamine (MEA) in coolant water has a beneficial effect on corrosion processes. In that context, the adsorption of MEA and ethanol–ammonium cation on the {111} surface of magnetite was studied using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. A modified version of the mechanical force field (ClayFF) was used. The systems were simulated at different temperatures (423 K; 453 K; 503 K). Surface coverage data were obtained from adsorption simulations; the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of the target molecules were calculated, and their minimum distance to the magnetite surface was traced. The potential and adsorption energies of MEA were calculated as a function of temperature. It has been established that the interaction between MEA and magnetite is due to electrostatic phenomena and the adsorption rate increases with temperature. A comparison was made with existing experimental results and similar MD simulations.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** monoethanolamine (PubChem CID 700)

## Full-text entities

- **Chemicals:** Fe3O4 (MESH:D052203), Ethanolamine (MESH:D019856), ammonium (MESH:D064751), water (MESH:D014867), ethanol (MESH:D000431)

## Figures

9 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12348455/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12348455