The effect of branching on the structure of confined thin films of alkanes

We report computer simulations in the grand canonical ensemble of a system of several linear and branched alkanes between two solid surfaces. We computed the solvation force exerted by the fluid on the plates. The solvation force for linear decane oscillates with distance with a periodicity close to the width of the molecules. The branched alkanes (2-methylundecane and 2-methylheptane) show a similar oscillatory behaviour; however, the oscillations are decreased and are shifted to the attractive regime.