Molecular simulation of the transition from liquidlike to solidlike behavior in complex fluids confined to nanoscale gaps

Molecular dynamics simulations at ambient temperature and pressure of dodecane films confined between mica surfaces were studied. The films, of thickness between three and eight molecular layers, were utilized for the purpose. The reduction of confined dodecane film from seven to six molecular layers resulted in a transition from a liquidlike to an ordered solidlike structure. The solidlike confined film was able to sustain a nonzero shear stress at a confinement of three molecular layers.