Structure and electronic properties of deformed single-walled carbon nanotubes: quantum calculations

The electronic properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can be modified by deforming their structure under high pressure. The aim of this study was to use quantum calculations to investigate one such property, the energy band gap, in relation to molecular structures of armchair and zigzag SWCNTs of various sizes and shapes deformed by applied forces. To model the increase in pressure, the degree of flatness (η) of the SWCNTs was adjusted as the primary parameter. The calculations gave accurate C-C bond lengths of the SWCNTs in their distorted states; these distortions significantly affected the electronic properties, especially the energy band gap of the SWCNTs. These results may contribute to a more refined design of new nano-electronic devices.     

Crystal structure of pyrimidinophane containing two uracil moieties with a <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-orientation of the carbonyl groups

The molecular and crystal structure of an isomer of crystalline pyrimidinophane containing two uracil moieties, as well as the intermolecular π-π interactions in crystal, were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Functional macromolecules from single-walled carbon nanotubes: synthesis and photophysical properties of short single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalised with 9,10-diphenylanthracene

9,10-Diphenylanthracene (DPA), a well-studied organic chromophore (Phi(fl) = 0.98) that exhibits electroluminescence, has been covalently bound through 2-(ethylthio)ethylamido linkers to the carboxylic acid groups of short, soluble single-walled carbon nanotubes (sSWNTs) of 1 microm average length, and the resulting DPA-functionalised sSWNT (DPA- sSWNT) macromolecular adducts (4.6 wt % DPA content) characterised by solution (1)H NMR, Raman and IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Comparison of the quenching of DPA fluorescence (steady-state and time-resolved) and of the transient optical spectra of sSWNTs and DPA-sSWNTs show that the covalent linkage boosts the interaction between the DPA and the sSWNT units. DPA-sSWNTs exhibit emission in the near-IR region from 1100-1400 nm with an enhanced quantum yield (Phi = 5.7x10(-3)) compared with sSWNTs (Phi = 3.9x10(-3)).     

Separation and/or selective enrichment of single-walled carbon nanotubes based on their electronic properties

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) possess unique electronic properties that make them very promising materials for use in both nano-electronics and thin film devices. However, SWNTs are always produced as a mixture of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes, which is a major roadblock to their widespread application. This tutorial review provides a brief summary of ways of separating single-walled carbon nanotubes into metallic and semiconducting fractions. Various methods including selective growth, selective removal, selective adsorption and band structure modulation--all of which aim to produce pure SWNTs with well-defined electronic properties--are systematically discussed. The main problems in this field, the outlook for separation techniques and some views of future developments are presented.     

Structural and electronic characteristics of perhydrogenated carbon nanotubes

The structural and electronic characteristics of fully hydrogenated armchair and zigzag carbon nanotubes have been determined by quantum chemical methods. With use of line group symmetries, the structures of nanotubes up to 10 nm in diameter could be optimized by periodic B3LYP calculations. “In–out” isomerism is shown to significantly stabilize perhydrogenated carbon nanotubes, the energetically most favorable structures being those with 1/3–1/2 of the carbon atoms endo-hydrogenated. In favored nanotubes the ratio of endo- to exo-hydrogens is 1:1, the stabilities increasing as a function of the diameter of the nanotube. The calculated band gaps indicate that the perhydrogenated carbon nanotubes are insulators.     

Energy gaps, electronic structures, and x-ray spectroscopies of finite semiconductor single-walled carbon nanotubes

We report hybrid density functional theory calculations for electronic structures of hydrogen-terminated finite single-walled carbon nanotubes (6,5) and (8,3) up to 100 nm in length. Gap states that are mainly arisen from the hydrogen-terminated edges have been found in (8,3) tubes, but their contributions to the density of states become invisible when the tube is longer than 10 nm. The electronic structures of (6,5) and (8,3) tubes are found to be converged around 20 nm. The calculated band-gap energies of 100 nm long nanotubes are in good agreement with experimental results. The valence band structures of (6,5), (8,3), as well as (5,5) tubes are also investigated by means of ultraviolet photoelectron spectra (UPS), x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and the resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra theoretically. The UPS, XES and RIXS spectra become converged already at 10 nm. The length-dependent oscillation behavior is found in the RIXS spectra of (5,5) tubes, indicating that the RIXS spectra may be used to determine the size and length of metallic nanotubes. Furthermore, the chiral dependence observed in the simulated RIXS spectra suggests that RIXS spectra could be a useful technique for the determination of chirality of carbon nanotubes.     

Ultra-fast and scalable sidewall functionalisation of single-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxylic acid

A simple and fast method for the functionalisation of single-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxylic acid terminated molecules, at varying molar fractions, is presented.     

Evolution of the electronic properties of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes with the degree of CCl2 covalent functionalization

The changes in energetic, structural, and electronic properties of the metallic (5,5) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) with the degree of sidewall covalent functionalization of CCl(2) are investigated extensively by using density functional theory calculations. The saturation concentration of CCl(2) covalent functionalization is predicted to be 33.3%. The cycloadducts always adopt an open structure. A band gap opens as the functionalization concentration reaches 11% and then basically increases with increasing functionalization concentration. These results are in agreement with available experiments and can be applied to accurately predict the band gap of metallic SWNTs produced by the HiPco method at a given CCl(2) functionalization concentration.     

Behavior of ethylene and ethane within single-walled carbon nanotubes. 1-Adsorption and equilibrium properties

Endohedral adsorption properties of ethylene and ethane onto single-walled carbon nanotubes were investigated using a united atom (2CLJQ) and a fully atomistic (AA-OPLS) force fields, by Grand Canonical Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics techniques. Pure fluids were studied at room temperature, T=300 K, and in the pressure ranges 4×10⁻⁴<p<47.1 bar (C₂H₄) and 4×10⁻⁴<p<37.9 bar (C₂H₆). In the low pressure region, isotherms differ quantitatively depending on the intermolecular potential used, but show the same qualitative features. Both potentials predict that ethane is preferentially adsorbed at low pressures, and the opposite behavior was observed at high loadings. Isosteric heats of adsorption and estimates of low pressure Henry’s constants, confirmed that ethane adsorption is the thermodynamically favored process at low pressures. Binary mixtures of C₂H₄/C₂H₆ were studied under several (p,T) conditions and the corresponding selectivities towards ethane, S, were evaluated. Small values of S<4 were found in all cases studied. Nanotube geometry plays a minor role on the adsorption properties, which seem to be driven at lower pressures primarily by the larger affinity of the alkane towards the carbon surface and at higher pressures by molecular volume and packing effects. The fact that the selectivity towards ethane is similar to that found earlier on carbon slit pores and larger diameter nanotubes points to the fact that the peculiar 1-D geometry of the nanotubes provides no particular incentive for the adsorption of either species.     

Performance of 2-amino tetraphenyl porphyrin stationary phase in RP-HPLC of amino acids in presence and absence of Zn2+

Summary In an attempt to provide a more convenient approach towards better resolution of amino-acids (AAs) by RP-HPLC, a novel chromatographic packing was prepared by dynamically coating 2-amino tetraphenyl porphyrin (atpp) onto a C18 reversed-phase packing. Its performance was examined in order to arrive at the optimum operating conditions. Towards this end, the retention characteristics of 20 AAs that form the building blocks of proteins were investigated on both the C18 and the atpp coated C18 columns at different pHs in presence and absence of Zn(II). The effects of eluent composition, pH and Zn(II) concentration were examined in each case. The results obtained show that the atpp coated C18 column in the presence of Zn(II) ion shows retention times andk values that are effectively different from those of the C18 column and displays remarkable resolution for all of AAs, particularly the polar and charged polar ones 12 out of 20 common AAs can be readily resolved under isocratic conditions.     

Behavior of ethylene and ethane within single-walled carbon nanotubes, 2: dynamical properties

The dynamical behavior of ethylene and ethane confined inside single-walled carbon nanotubes has been studied using Molecular Dynamics and a fully atomistic force field. Simulations were conducted at 300 K in a broad range of molecular densities, 0.026 mol⋅L⁻¹<ρ<15.751 mol⋅L⁻¹(C₂H₄) and 0.011 mol⋅L⁻¹<ρ<14.055 mol⋅L⁻¹(C₂H₆), and were oriented towards the determination of bulk and confined phase self-diffusion coefficients. In the infinite time limit, Fickian self-diffusion is the dominant mode of transport for the bulk fluids. Upon confinement, there is a density threshold (ρ=5.5 mol⋅L⁻¹) below which we observe a mixed mode of transport, with contributions from Fickian and ballistic diffusion. Nanotube topology seems to have only a small influence on the confined fluids’ dynamical properties; instead density (loading capacity) assumes the dominant role. In all cases studied and at a given density, the diffusivities of ethylene are larger than those of ethane, although the difference is relatively minor. We note the collapse of self-diffusivities obtained from the bulk fluids and confined phases into a unique single trend. These results suggest that it might be possible to infer dynamical properties of confined fluids from the knowledge of their bulk phase densities. Electronic Supplementary Material  The online version of this article () contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Anomalous optical properties of photoactive cholesteric liquid crystal doped with single-walled carbon nanotubes

Optical transmission and selective reflection data are reported for suspensions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in photoactive nematic material ZhK-440 with a mesogenic chiral dopant M5. At small concentrations of CNTs (C ≈ 0.01–0.05%), the preferential localisation of CNTs at oily sticks (cholesteric topological defects) and suppression of the network of oily streaks by CNTs were observed. At the same time, the optical density D was shown to be essentially non-linear and a minimum at certain concentration of CNTs, C ≈ 0.05–0.08%, was observed. This anomalous behaviour was explained by the presence of the structural transition from the loose (ramified) aggregates with highly anisotropic shape (oriented along the anchoring direction on rubbed polyvinyl alcohol) to the compact aggregates with denser packing. The location of this minimum, as well as the selective reflection maximum (helical pitch), was sensitive to partially reversible UV-induced trans–cis–trans isomerisation effects. The UV-controlled helical pitch variation was shown to be only slightly affected by introduction of CNTs.     

Elastic constants,viscosity and dielectric properties of bent-core nematic liquid crystals doped with single-walled carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are dispersed in (4’-fluoro phenyl azo) phenyl-4-yl 3-[N-(4’-n-hecyloxy 2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-2-methylbenzoate (6–2M-F) a bent-core nematic (BCN) liquid crystalline medium composed of bent-shaped molecules with short core, reduced bend angle possessing polar fluoro substituent in longitudinal direction and methyl group in bent direction. Such molecules are at the borderline of typical bent-core and rod-like molecules resembling hockey stick shape with intermediate properties. The elastic anisotropy is negative for 6–2M-F (bend elastic constant K₃₃ < splay elastic constant K₁₁); similar to other BCNs reported earlier with smectic-like clusters; but turns to high positive (K₃₃ > K₁₁) value by insertion of SWCNT (concentration ≥0.05 wt.%) in 6–2 M-F. The ratio of K₃₃/K₁₁ becomes comparable to the calamitic liquid crystals (LCs) in doped system. Dielectric anisotropy increases in the nanocomposite implying enhanced nematic ordering due to π–π electron interaction between CNTs and the LC molecules. Threshold voltage at first increases and then decreases with increasing CNT concentration owing to the respective variations in splay viscosity of the system. The present study demonstrated the interaction of SWCNTs with BCN molecules and reveals significant modifications in viscoelastic, dielectric and ionic properties of the host.     

Effect of single-walled carbon nanotubes with imide cycles on the synthesis and properties of polycaproamide

The anionic polymerization of ε-caprolactam in the presence of single-walled carbon nanotubes with grafted acyllactam groups or polyimide macromolecules is performed. It is shown that the polymerization of ε-caprolactam slows down with an increase in the filler concentration. The introduction of 0.01 wt % nanotubes with polyimide fragments into polycaproamide leads to a 25% increase in the compressive modulus. In this case, the Izod impact strength is 10 kJ/m², that is, 150% higher than that for an unfilled polycaproamide or polycaproamide containing other types of nanotubes.     

Influence of metal and ligand types on stacking interactions of phenyl rings with square-planar transition metal complexes

In order to find out whether metal type influences the stacking interactions of phenyl rings in square-planar complexes, geometrical parameters for Cu, Ni, Pd and Pt complexes, with and without chelate rings, were analyzed and compared. By searching the Cambridge Structural Database, 220 structures with Cu complexes, 211 with Ni complexes, 285 with Pd complexes, and 220 with Pt complexes were found. The results show that the chelate ring has a tendency to make the stacking interaction with the phenyl ring independent of metal type in the chelate ring. However, there are some differences among metals for complexes without a chelate ring. There are a number of structures containing Pd and Pt complexes, without chelate rings, that have short carbon-metal distances and parallel orientations of the phenyl ring with respect to the coordination plane. It was found that some of these complexes have a common fragment, CN, as a part of the ligands. This indicates that the CN supports stacking interactions of square planar complexes with the phenyl ring.      

Polymer-ligand interaction studies. Part I. Binding of some drugs to poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone)

A physico-chemical investigation on the binding of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Naproxen (NP) and Ketoprofen (KP) and a drug model compound, salicylic acid (SA) to poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP, molecular weight = 360,000), was performed at pH 7.1 by the fluorescence competition method employing 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulphonate (ANS) as the fluorescent probe. The binding affinities of these substrates to PVP are in the order KP < SA < NP which has been explained on the basis of their structural features and the consequent effect on the interacting forces. Theπ-π interaction between the carbonyl group of PVP and theπ-ring system of the substrate molecule seems to be crucial in deciding the binding affinities of the substrates     

Structural characterization,optical properties,and improved solubility of carbon nanotubes functionalized with Wilkinson's catalyst

Oxidized carbon nanotubes have been reacted with Wilkinson's complex. It has been found that the Rh metal coordinates to these nanotubes through the increased number of oxygen atoms, forming a hexacoordinate structure around the Rh atom. The reaction process increases oxidized nanotube solubility in DMSO (>150 mg/L) as well as to a certain extent in DMF and THF. The functionalization process results in exfoliation of larger bundles of SWNTs and may select for the presence of distributions of smaller-diameter tubes. Optical data on the derivatized adducts suggest the possibility of interesting charge-transfer behavior across the metal-nanotube interface. An application has been made of this system as supports for homogeneous catalysis.     

Cyclopentadienyl type η5-π-complexes of C60 fullerene derivatives with indium and thallium: simulation of molecular and electronic structure by the MNDO/PM3 methodof C60 fullerene derivatives with indium and thallium: simulation of molecular and electronic structure by the MNDO/PM3 method

The results of MNDO/PM3 calculations of η⁵-π-C₆₀R₅M complexes (R=H and Ph; M=Tl and In) are reported. Local energy minima and geometric parameters as well as the heats of formation and ionization potentials were determined for all systems in question. The nature of chemical M—pent bonding (pent is the pentagonal face) is discussed. The results of calculations are compared with experimental data that confirm our predictions about the possibility of existence of stable cyclopentadienyl type η⁵-π-complexes of C₆₀ fullerence derivatives. The stability of the C₆₀In₁₂ complex with theI _h symmetry, in which the In atoms are coordinated to each of 12 pentagonal faces of C₆₀ fullerene, was estimated. The energy of the In—pent bond (62.4 kcal mol⁻¹) is close to that in C₆₀H₅In (64.5 kcal mol⁻¹). Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 1935–1940, November, 1997.     

Structural and electronic properties of borazine cyclacenes

The structural and electronic properties of borazine cyclacenes (BNn) have been investigated by performing semiempirical molecular orbital self-consistent field calculations at the level of AM1 method within the RHF formulation. It has been found that as the number of borazine rings increases in the arenoid belt the structures become more exothermic.