Density functional theory study on the adsorption of alkali metal ions with pristine and defected graphene sheet

The graphene-based materials along with the adsorption of alkali metal ions are suitable for energy conversion and storage applications. Hence in the present work, we have investigated the structural and electronic properties of pristine and defected graphene sheet upon the adsorption of alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The presence of vacancies or vacancy defects enhances the adsorption of alkali ions than the pristine sheet. From the obtained results, it is found that the adsorption energy of Li⁺ on the vacancies defected graphene sheet is higher (3.05?eV) than the pristine (2.41?eV) and Stone–Wales (2.50?eV) defected sheets. Moreover, the pore radius of the pristine and defected graphene sheets are less affected by metal ions adsorption. The increase in energy gap upon the adsorption of metal ions is found to be high in the vacancy defected graphene than that of other sheets. The metal ions adsorption in the defective vacancy sheets has high charge transfer from metal ions to the graphene sheet. The bonding characteristic between the metal ions and graphene sheet are analysed using QTAIM analysis. The influence of alkali ions on the electronic properties of the graphene sheet is examined from the Total Density of States (TDOS) and Partial Density of States (PDOS).     

Adsorption of H2S at Stone–Wales defects of graphene-like BC3: a computational study

We employed density functional theory to characterise H₂S adsorption, and dissociation on the pristine and Stone–Wales (SW) defected BC₃ graphenes. H₂S is predicted to be weakly adsorbed on the pristine graphene with the adsorption energy of about 7.11 kcal/mol. Two types of SW defects were generated by rotating a C–C bond (SW-CC) or a B–C bond (SW-BC) by about 90°. We predict that, in contrast to SW-BC, dehydrogenation of H₂S is energetically more favourable on the SW-CC compared to the associative adsorption. It is also found that SW-CC formation is more favourable than the formation of SW-BC. Molecular adsorption of H₂S on both of the SW defected sheets is more favourable than that on the pristine sheet. The preferable adsorption process on the SW-BC and SW-CC defected graphene sheets is via associative and dissociative mechanisms, respectively. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap of the SW-BC defected sheet is highly sensitive to the adsorption process which may be used for the detection of H₂S.     

基于密度泛函理论研究掺杂Pd石墨烯吸附O2及CO

基于第一性原理的密度泛函理论研究了单个O₂和CO气体分子吸附于本征石墨烯和掺杂钯(Pd)的石墨烯的体系, 通过石墨烯掺Pd前后气体分子的吸附能、电荷转移及能带和态密度的计算, 发现掺Pd后气体分子吸附能和电荷转移显著增大, 这是由于Pd的掺杂, 在本征石墨烯能带中引入了杂质能级, 增强了石墨烯和吸附气体分子间的相互作用; 氧化性气体O₂和还原性气体CO吸附对石墨烯体系能带结构和态密度的影响明显不同, 本征石墨烯吸附O₂后, 费米能级附近态密度变大, 掺Pd后在一定程度变小; 吸附还原性的CO后, 石墨烯费米能级附近态密度几乎没有改变, 表明掺杂Pd不会影响石墨烯对CO的气体灵敏度, 但由于CO对石墨烯的吸附能增大, 可以提高石墨烯对还原性气体的气敏响应速度.     

A DFT study on the formaldehyde (H2CO and (H2CO)2) monitoring using pristine B12N12 nanocluster

The interaction between formaldehyde monomer (H₂CO) as well as dimer ((H₂CO)₂) and pristine B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster is investigated at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. It is found that in contrary to the pristine boron nitride nanotube and nanosheet, formaldehyde adsorption induce considerable variation in the electronic properties of the B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster. Also it is shown that the pristine B₁₂N₁₂ cluster could adsorb up to four monomer and three dimer of formaldehyde molecules in which the HOMO–LUMO gap decreased about 38–55%. Since the conductivity of the B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster changes by the adsorption of formaldehyde molecules, the presence of this toxic gas could be detected. The Bader theory of atoms in molecules (AIM) is also applied to analyze the interaction of formaldehyde with nanocluster. It is suggested pristine B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster could be a promising candidate for detecting formaldehyde molecule. The results indicate that B₁₂N₁₂ may be a promising chemical sensor for detection of formaldehyde molecule.     

N-doped graphene as a nanostructure adsorbent for carbon monoxide: DFT calculations

ABSTRACT

This work reports the physisorption of carbon monoxide (CO) on the surface of N-doped graphene. To study the adsorption of CO on N-doped graphene, some quantum chemical calculations were used through density functional theory. Based on our results, it can be found that the CO molecule could be adsorbed on the surface of N-doped graphene physically with the adsorption energies (E_ads) of ?2.9 and ?0.8 kcal mol^?1 (depends on the kind of configuration) while positive adsorption energies were calculated upon adsorption of CO on pristine graphene. We used the charge analysis for calculation of the net transferred charge of adsorbed CO on pristine and N-doped graphene sheets to evaluate the sensing ability of surface. The global indices of reactivity were calculated from the differences of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and highest occupied molecular orbital energies. Graphs for density of states point to some orbital hybridisation between CO molecule and N-doped graphene. Consequently, the N-doped graphene transforms the existence of CO molecules into electrical signal, and it may be potentially used as a sensor for CO.     

掺杂石墨烯吸附特性的第一性原理研究

利用第一性原理方法研究了一氧化碳分子在本征和硼、氮、铝、磷掺杂的有限尺寸石墨烯上的吸附机理.结果表明，石墨烯作为一氧化碳传感器时的性能依赖于掺杂元素.本征、硼和氮掺杂石墨烯吸附一氧化碳时的吸附能较低，为物理吸附.铝、磷掺杂石墨烯的吸附能显著提高，比本征、硼和氮掺杂时高出约一个数量级，且铝和磷原子从石墨烯中突出，使其发生局部弯曲.铝掺杂石墨烯增强了石墨烯与一氧化碳分子之间的相互作用，可以提高石墨烯的气敏性和吸附能力，是一氧化碳传感器的最佳候选材料之一.     

Lewis acid-base surface interaction of some boron compounds with N-doped graphene; first principles study

We studied density functional theory (DFT) calculations in terms of energetic and electronic properties toward adsorption of some boron compounds (B(OCH₃)₃, BF₃ and BC1₃) on the surface of pristine as well as N-doped graphene using WB97XD/6-31 + G(d,p) level of theory. The net charge transfer of mentioned molecules on the surface of pristine and N-doped graphene was calculated with above-mentioned basis set using natural bond orbital and Mulliken charge analysis during complex formation. The computed dipole moment shows when above-mentioned molecules approach to the surface of N-doped graphene, the amount of the dielectric (μD) will change depending on the kind of molecule. Our calculations reveal that N-doped graphene system has much higher adsorption energy, higher net charge transfer value than pristine graphene due to Lewis acid-base interaction. Comparing B(OCH₃)₃ as an organic boron derivative with boron trihalides (BF₃ and BCl₃), the Lewis acidity increases in the order of BF₃ < BC1₃< B(OCH₃)₃ with adsorption energies (E_ads) of −8.7, −18.3 and −26.5 kJ/mol (BSSE) respectively, while low adsorption energies were calculated on pristine graphene for mentioned molecules.     

Methane molecule over the defected and rippled graphene sheet

Adsorption of a methane molecule (CH₄) onto a defected and rippled graphene sheet is studied using ab initio and molecular mechanics calculations. The optimal adsorption position and orientation of this molecule on the graphene surface (motivated by the recent realization of graphene sensors to detect individual gas molecules) is determined and the adsorption energies are calculated. In light of the density of states, we used the SIESTA code. It is found that (i) classical force field yields adsorption energy comparable with experimental result and ab initio calculation; (ii) the periodic nature of the van der Waals potential energy stored between methane and perfect sheet is altered due to the insertion vacancies and sinusoidal ripples; (iii) the van der Waals potential energy is found to be sensitive to the presence of the vacancies and the ripples so that the added molecule avoids to be around vacant cites and on top of the peaks.     

Structures of Pt clusters on graphene by first-principles calculations

The interactions between Pt_n clusters (n?13) and a graphene sheet have been investigated by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. For single Pt-atom and Pt₂-dimer adsorptions, the stable adsorption sites are bridge sites between neighboring carbon atoms. When the number of Pt atoms in a cluster increases, the Pt-C interaction energy per contacting Pt atom becomes smaller. For smaller clusters (3?n?7), the adsorption as a vertical planar cluster is more stable than that as parallel planar or three-dimensional (3D) clusters, due to the stability of a planar configuration itself and the stronger planar-edge/graphene interaction, while the adsorption as a parallel planer cluster becomes stable for larger cluster (n?7) via the deformation of the planar configuration so as to attain the planar-edge/graphene contact. For much larger clusters (n?10), the adsorption as a 3D cluster becomes the most stable due to the stability of the 3D configuration itself as well as substantial Pt-C interactions of edge or corner Pt atoms. The interfacial interaction between a Pt cluster and graphene seriously depends on the shape and size of a cluster and the manner of contact on a graphene sheet.     

Geometric stability and adsorption property of hydroxyl group on graphene sheets

The stable geometrics and adsorption behaviors of hydroxyl (OH) groups on graphene sheets are investigated using the first-principles calculations. The single hydroxyl adatom has small adsorption energy and diffusion barrier on pristine graphene. The binding strength of the hydroxyl group increases with the coverage, and the aggregations of the hydroxyl groups reduce the structural bucking of graphene sheet. On the graphene with single vacancy (SV-graphene), the large trapping zones mean the adsorbed OH would be easily trapped at the vacancy site. The hydroxyl groups prefer to aggregate on graphene surfaces and form the water molecule, leaving the epoxy group on pristine graphene or oxygen dopant in SV-graphene, which is used to constitute the structural model of oxidized graphene. These results would provide us a useful reference to understand the atomic structure and adsorption property of functional groups on graphene sheets.     

DFT study of NH3 adsorption on pristine,Ni- and Si-doped graphynes

The electronic sensitivity of pristine, Ni- and Si-doped graphynes to ammonia (NH₃) molecule was investigated using density functional theory, including dispersion correction. It was found that NH₃ is weakly adsorbed on the sheet, releasing energy of 2.9–4.4 kcal/mol, and the electronic properties of the sheet are not significantly changed. Although both Ni-doping and Si-doping make the sheet more reactive and sensitive to NH₃, Si-doping seems to be a better strategy to manufacture NH₃ chemical sensors because of higher sensitivity. Our calculations show that the HOMO/LUMO gap of the Si-doped sheet is significantly decreased from 2.13 to 1.46 eV after the adsorption of NH₃, which may increase the electrical conductance of the sheet. Therefore, the doped sheet might convert the presence of NH₃ molecules to electrical signals. Moreover, the shorter recovery time of the Si-doped sheet is because of the middle adsorption energy of 39.3 kcal/mol in comparison with 55.1 kcal/mol for the Ni-doped sheet.     

First principles computational investigation on the possibility of Pt-decorated SiC hexagonal sheet as a suitable material for oxygen reduction reaction

First principles calculations play a significant role in developing and optimizing new energy storage and conversion materials especially at the nanoscale. In this work, the structural, energetics and, electronic properties of adsorbed Pt atom onto two-dimensional graphene, hexagonal BN (h-BN) and SiC (h-SiC) sheets have been investigated at DFT–B3LYP level of theory using coronene molecule as a suitable model. Spin-polarization and model size effects on the Pt adsorption properties have also been evaluated. Various positions for establishing Pt atom on the selected substrates have been considered and full structural optimization was carried out for all selected systems. The adsorption energies, electronic structures and charge population analysis indicated that in all the studied structures there were strong interaction between two interacting entities. It was also found that the adsorption ability of h-SiC is much stronger than the other counterparts with adsorption energy of −3.828 eV.We have also examined the O₂ adsorption properties of Pt-decorated graphene, h-BN and h-SiC sheets for possible tunability of O₂ adsorption strength of systems under study. We found that h-SiC sheet possess a weakened O₂ adsorption energy among the selected substrates. In view of the strong stability of adsorbed Pt atom on h-SiC sheet and relatively weaker O₂ adsorption energy, one can expect that h-SiC might be a promising material for support assistant as well as increasing the catalytic activity of Pt atoms compared to graphene and h-BN substrates. This may attribute to preventing aggregating of Pt atoms due to the strong fastening nature of the h-SiC sheet and also by affording a balance in the O₂ adsorption strength that lead to enhanced catalyst turnover. Therefore, our first principles findings offer a unique opportunity for design and applications of SiC-based nanoscale supports in fuel cell technology.     

Acetone Adsorption on Pristine and Pt-doped Graphene: A First-Principles vdW-DF Study

Using van der Waals corrected density functional theory (vdW-DF) method we have investigated the adsorption of acetone molecule on pristine and Pt-doped graphene. Several active sites for both the interacting systems have been considered in the adsorption process including full geometry optimization. We have analyzed the structural and electrical properties of energetically favorable configurations. The results show that adsorption of acetone molecule on the Pt-doped graphene is energetically preferable. The binding energy and bonding distance are determined to be -5.277 eV and 2.206 Å, respectively, accompanying with charge transfer of 1.11 e. Furthermore, the Pt-O bond is rather significantly elongated when acetone is adsorbed on Pt-doped graphene. Compared to pristine graphene, the Pt-doped graphene has stronger interaction with the acetone and may provide more sensitive signal for a single acetone molecule. Meanwhile, practically, the band gap of Pt-doped graphene would become reduced after acetone adsorption. Consequently, our first-principles study presents evidence for a coherent benchmark for the applicability of Pt-doped graphene for acetone adsorption and detection.     

Theoretical study on the catalytic properties of single-atom catalyst stabilised on silicon-doped graphene sheets

ABSTRACT

The stable configurations, electronic structures and catalytic activities of single-atom metal catalyst anchored silicon-doped graphene sheets (3Si-graphene-M, M?=?Ni and Pd) are investigated by using density functional theory calculations. Firstly, the adsorption stability and electronic property of different gas reactants (O₂, CO, 2CO, CO/O₂) on 3Si-graphene-M substrates are comparably analysed. It is found that the coadsorption of O₂/CO or 2CO molecules is more stable than that of the isolated O₂ or CO molecule. Meanwhile, the adsorbed species on 3Si-graphene-Ni sheet are more stable than those on the 3Si-graphene-Pd sheet. Secondly, the possible CO oxidation reactions on the 3Si-graphene-M are investigated through Eley–Rideal (ER), Langmuir–Hinshelwood (LH) and new termolecular Eley–Rideal (TER) mechanisms. Compared with the LH and TER mechanisms, the interaction between 2CO and O₂ molecules (O₂?+?CO → CO₃, CO₃?+?CO → 2CO₂) through ER reactions (< 0.2?eV) are an energetically more favourable. These results provide important reference for understanding the catalytic mechanism for CO oxidation on graphene-based catalyst.     

Sulfur dioxide molecule sensors based on zigzag graphene nanoribbons with and without Cr dopant

Structure, electronic, and transport properties of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) molecule adsorbed on pure and Cr doped zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) are investigated by means of first principle density functional theory and nonequilibrium Greenʼs function computations. It is found that Cr doped ZGNR is more sensitive to SO₂ molecule than pure ZGNR. The pure ZGNRs with and without SO₂ molecule show similar I–V curves, but the current of Cr doped ZGNR will significant increase after SO₂ molecule adsorption.     

Theoretical investigation of structures and energetics of sodium adatom and its dimer on graphene: DFT study

Extensive ab initio calculations have been performed to study the energetics of a sodium (Na) atom and its dimer adsorbed on graphene using the SIESTA package Soler et al. (2002) [1] which works within a DFT(density functional theory)–GGA (generalized gradient approximation) pseudopotential framework. The adsorption energy, geometry, charge transfer, ionization potential and density of states (DOS), partial density states (PDOS) of adatom/dimer-graphene system have been calculated. After considering various sites for adsorption of Na on graphene, the center of a hexagonal ring of carbon atoms is found to be the preferred site of adsorption while the Na₂ dimer prefers to rest parallel to the graphene sheet. We find insignificant energy differences among adsorption configurations involving different possible sites in parallel orientation, which implies high mobility of the dimer on the graphene sheet. We also notice only a slight distortion of the graphene sheet perpendicular to its plane upon adatom adsorption. However, some lateral displacements seen are more perceptible.     

Electronic transport calculation of adsorbate NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and NO molecules on graphene using Maximally Localized Wannier functions

In this paper we have investigated the adsorption of the gas molecules (NO₂, NO) on graphene, using first-principles methods. For full geometric relaxation of the molecules in the vicinity of a graphene sheet, we obtain the adsorption geometry, adsorption energies, charge transfer and density of states (DOS). We can identify which of the adsorbate molecules is acting as donor or acceptor. We find that the conductance of graphene at the Fermi level decreases with adsorbing NO₂ molecules and increases with adsorbing NO molecules.     

Effects of Stone–Wales defect upon adsorption of formaldehyde on graphene sheet with or without Al dopant: A first principle study

The adsorption mechanisms of formaldehyde (H₂CO) on modified graphene, including aluminum doping, Stone–Wales (SW) defects, and a combination of these two, were investigated via density functional theory (DFT). It was found that the graphene with SW defect is more sensitive than that of perfect graphene for detecting H₂CO molecules. Compared with Al-doped graphene/H₂CO complex, the binding energy for Al-doped SW defect complex can be enhanced by the introduction of a SW defect. The large values of binding energy and net charge transfer for this complex indicate a strong chemisorption and a larger affinity with H₂CO for the modified graphene. Furthermore, the density of states (DOS) of the complex shows that the effect of defect–dopant combination on adsorption mechanisms is due to the orbital hybridization between the Al atom and its adjacent C atoms. In addition, it can be expected that adsorption of H₂CO on the surface of Al-doped SW defect may occur easily, and the Al-doped SW graphene is more suitable for H₂CO gas detection.     

Acetone Adsorption on Pristine and Pt-doped Graphene:A First-Principles vdW-DF Study

Using van der Waals corrected density functional theory(vdW-DF) method we have investigated the adsorption of acetone molecule on pristine and Pt-doped graphene.Several active sites for both the interacting systems have been considered in the adsorption process including full geometry optimization.We have analyzed the structural and electrical properties of energetically favorable configurations.The results show that adsorption of acetone molecule on the Pt-doped graphene is energetically preferable.The binding energy and bonding distance are determined to be-5.277 eV and 2.206 A,respectively,accompanying with charge transfer of 1.11 e.Furthermore,the Pt-0 bond is rather significantly elongated when acetone is adsorbed on Pt-doped graphene.Compared to pristine graphene,the Pt-doped graphene has stronger interaction with the acetone and may provide more sensitive signai for a single acetone molecule.Meanwhile,practically,the band gap of Pt-doped graphene would become reduced after acetone adsorption.Consequently,our first-principles study presents evidence for a coherent benchmark for the applicability of Pt-doped graphene for acetone adsorption and detection.     

Density functional theory-based analysis on O2 molecular interaction with the tri-s-triazine-based graphitic carbon nitride

The structural and electronic properties of O₂ molecular adsorption on the Tri-s-triazine-based graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) surface was investigated through first principles calculation based on density functional theory (DFT). Here, we show that the O₂ molecule is merely physisorbed on the surface of g-C₃N₄ through the interaction of its lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) with the orbitals of the 2-coordinated nitrogen atoms of the surface. Though physisorbed, a stronger molecular adsorption was found as compared with its adsorption on pure graphene sheets. We also found that the O₂ molecule gains very small amount of electron charges from the surface, which, together with a stronger adsorption energy, may attribute to a more effective oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) site as compared with pure graphene. These results would then be important for reactions with intermediate surface oxidation step in a carbon and nitrogen-based catalyst, and could lead to realization of an effective materials design for surface application, e.g. towards a more efficient catalyst for the ORR on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).