Erasing dielectric breakdown artifacts to machine-learn charged Pt-water interfaces

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Authors: Nicolas Bergmann, Karsten Reuter, Nicolas G. Hörmann
Cited by: 0

Abstract

The recently introduced "Response analysis in z-orientation" (RAZOR) model utilizes perturbation theory to machine learn the energy and force response to applied bias charges in atomistic simulations of electrified interfaces. While we have shown that RAZOR successfully reproduces ab initio results for adsorbates on metallic surfaces in an implicit solvent environment, real electrochemical applications require the inclusion of at least a few explicit H2O layers of the electrolyte. Here, we benchmark RAZOR's performance in the description of the Pt(111)-H2O interface. We show that RAZOR can reliably reproduce ab initio molecular dynamics findings for bias-induced changes in H2O density and orientation profiles as well as changes in the potential. To do so, a specific training procedure needs to be applied which avoids the erroneous learning of artifacts from the dielectric breakdown of interfacial water and the accompanying charge transfer into the H2O layers. Ultimately, we are confident that RAZOR can provide quantitative predictions in a +/- 20 muC/cm2 window around the neutral-charged cell, which is sufficient for many pressing electrochemical questions.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Machine Learning in Materials Science Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
ChemRxiv
Publication date
7 January 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Preprint