Synergistic Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics Approach to Elucidate PNIPAM–Water Interaction Mechanisms

This study employs Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate interactions between water molecules and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). DFT reveals preferential water binding sites, with enhanced binding energy observed in the linker zone. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and electron localization function (ELF) analyses highlight the roles of hydrogen bonding and steric hindrance. MD simulations unveil temperature-dependent hydration dynamics, with structural transitions marked by changes in the radius of gyration (Rg) and the radial distribution function (RDF), aligning with DFT findings. Our work goes beyond prior studies by combining a DFT, QTAIM and MD simulations approach across different PNIPAM monomer-to-30mer structures. It introduces a systematic quantification of pseudo-saturation thresholds and explores water clustering dynamics with structural specificity, which have not been previously reported in the literature. These novel insights establish a more complete molecular-level picture of PNIPAM hydration behavior and temperature responsiveness, emphasizing the importance of amide hydrogen and carbonyl oxygen sites in hydrogen bonding, which weakens above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), resulting in increased hydrophobicity and paving the way for understanding water sorption mechanisms, offering guidance for future applications such as dehumidification and atmospheric water harvesting.