Elasticity and Stability of Clathrate Hydrate: Role of Guest Molecule Motions

Molecular dynamic simulations were performed to determine the elastic constants of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and methane (CH(4)) hydrates at one hundred pressure–temperature data points, respectively. The conditions represent marine sediments and permafrost zones where gas hydrates occur. The shear modulus and Young’s modulus of the CO(2) hydrate increase anomalously with increasing temperature, whereas those of the CH(4) hydrate decrease regularly with increase in temperature. We ascribe this anomaly to the kinetic behavior of the linear CO(2) molecule, especially those in the small cages. The cavity space of the cage limits free rotational motion of the CO(2) molecule at low temperature. With increase in temperature, the CO(2) molecule can rotate easily, and enhance the stability and rigidity of the CO(2) hydrate. Our work provides a key database for the elastic properties of gas hydrates, and molecular insights into stability changes of CO(2) hydrate from high temperature of ~5 °C to low decomposition temperature of ~−150 °C.