Nuclear quantum effects on autoionization of water isotopologs studied by path integral molecular dynamics

Thomsen, B.  ; Shiga, Motoyuki   

In this study we investigate the nuclear quantum effects on the acidity constant of liquid water isotopologues at the ambient condition by path integral molecular dynamics simulations. This technique not only reproduces the acidity constants of liquid DO experimentally measured but also allows for a theoretical prediction of the acidity constants of liquid TO, aqueous HDO and HTO, which are unknown due to its scarcity. The results indicate that the nuclear quantum effects play an indispensable role in the absolute determination of acidity constants.