Advances and challenges in DFT-based energy materials design

The growing worldwide energy needs call for developing novel materials for energy applications. Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations allow the understanding and prediction of material properties at the atomic scale, thus, play an important role in energy materials design. Due to the fast progress of computer power and development of calculation methodologies, DFT-based calculations have greatly improved their predictive power, and are now leading to a paradigm shift towards theory-driven materials design. The aim of this perspective is to introduce the advances in DFT calculations which accelerate energy materials design. We first present state-of-the-art DFT methods for accurate simulation of various key properties of energy materials. Then we show examples of how these advances lead to the discovery of new energy materials for photovoltaic, photocatalytic, thermoelectric, and battery applications. The challenges and future research directions in computational design of energy materials are highlighted at the end.     

Assessment of pore structure parameters for polymer-templated mesoporous molecular sieves by means of nitrogen and argon adsorption

Pore size, wall thickness, and microporosity of polymer-templated mesoporous silica (PTMS) can be controlled by using different nonionic triblock copolymers as soft templates. The evolution of the pore structure of PTMS was studied by using nitrogen and argon adsorption at 77 K in addition to powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy.     

A novel method for preparation of 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized mesoporous silica: Aluminum complexes and photoluminescence studies

8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) was attached to mesoporous silica by sulfonamide bond formation between 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonyl chloride (8-HQ-SO₂Cl) and aminopropyl functionalized SBA-15 (designated as SBA-SPS-Q) and then aluminum complexes of 8-HQ was covalently bonded to SBA-SPS-Q using coordinating ability of grafted 8-HQ.The prepared materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental analysis and fluorescence spectra. The environmental effects on the emission spectra of grafted 8-HQ and its complexes were studied and discussed in details.     

Preparation and characterization of L-Leucine-modified amphiprotic bifunctional mesoporous SBA-15 molecular sieve as a drug carrier for ribavirin

In this study, an amphiphilic bifunctional mesoporous SBA-15 material (AMPBIF-SBA-15) was synthesized through post-synthesis method as a drug carrier. Ribavirin was selected as the model drug and whose release from both unmodified and functionalized SBA-15 was evaluated in four media solutions with different pH or ionic strength. The release process indicated that AMPBIF-SBA-15 was a pH-sensitive drug carrier, which showed a phased low-release effect to ribavirin in the simulated body fluid (PBS, pH 7.4) solution. The materials were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurements and elemental analysis. This study provided a novel drug carrier for ribavirin to improve curative effect of ribavirin.     

Nanosized iron and chromium oxides supported on mesoporous CeO2 and SBA-15 silica: Physicochemical and catalytic study

Mesoporous ceria and SBA-15 silica were modified with iron and chromium oxide nanoparticles and characterized by XRD, N₂-physisorption, FTIR, UV-vis, Moessbauer spectroscopy and TPR-TG in hydrogen. Their catalytic behaviour in methanol decomposition to CO and hydrogen was also studied. Stabilization of mono- and bi-chromate species, FeO_x patches or isolated iron ions as well as Fe₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ nanoparticles in different ratio depending on the nature of the porous matrix was observed. The simultaneous presence of iron and chromium oxides lead to change in their dispersion, providing easier reducibility, higher catalytic activity and stability of the obtained materials in comparison with the corresponding mono-component ones. The “intimate contact” at the interface of both loaded metal oxide nanoparticles and the support was discussed with respect to explain the differences in the state of the active ingredient and its specific catalytic behaviour.     

Emission spectroscopy of atmospheric pressure plasmas for bio-medical and environmental applications

The paper demonstrates several ways of use of the UV-vis optical emission spectroscopy of medium resolution for the diagnostics of atmospheric pressure air and nitrogen plasmas relevant to bio-medical and environmental applications. Plasmas generated by DC discharges (streamer corona, transient spark, and glow discharge), AC microdischarges in porous ceramics, and microwave plasma were investigated. Molecular (OH, NO, CN) and atomic (H, O, N) radicals, and other active species, e.g. N₂ (C, B, A), (B), were identified. The composition of the emission spectra gives insight in the ongoing plasma chemistry. Rotational, i.e. gas, and vibrational temperatures were evaluated by fitting experimental with simulated spectra. Streamer corona, transient spark and microdischarges generate cold, strongly non-equilibrium plasmas (300-550 K), glow discharge plasma is hotter, yet non-equilibrium (1900 K), and microwave plasma is very hot and thermal (∼3000-4000 K). Electronic excitation temperature and OH radical concentration were estimated in the glow discharge assuming the chemical equilibrium and Boltzmann distribution (9800 K, 3 × 10¹⁶ cm⁻³). Optical emission also provided the measurement of the active plasma size of the glow discharge, and enabled calculating its electron number density (10¹² cm⁻³).     

Facile synthesis and characterization of acid-base bifunctionalized mesoporous silica

A simple acid-base bifunctionalized approach has been developed through grinding the precursors, magnesium and aluminium nitrates, with the as-prepared SBA-15, and then the generation of acid-base active sites and removal of host template were combined into a single step in the subsequent calcination procedure. A series of acid-base bifunctional mesoporous materials MgO-Al₂O₃-SBA-15 (MA-SBA-15) have been successfully synthesized by means of this approach. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopes (HRTEMs), N₂ adsorption, FT-IR spectra, ²⁷Al and ²⁹Si magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR, NH₃- and CO₂-temperature programmed desorption (TPD), pyridine adsorption were employed to characterize the resultant mesoporous materials. The results indicate that the guests can be well dispersed in the channel of SBA-15, and the resultant materials exhibit excellent acid-basic properties with well mesoporous backbone, which make it possessing high activity for the synthesis of ethyl methyl carbonate, an important asymmetric carbonate ester compound.     

微胶囊相变蓄能技术研究现状与进展

微胶囊相变材料是一种新型的复合相变蓄能材料。文中介绍了微胶囊相变蓄能材料的性质,着重阐述了微胶囊相变蓄能材料的制备方法,并分析了微胶囊相变蓄能材料在工业领域的应用,总结了微胶囊相变蓄能材料的发展趋势。     

BeF2分子基态势能函数研究

利用密度泛函理论（DFT）B3LYP/aug-cc-PVTZ方法对BeF和BeF2分子进行计算, BeF分子的基态电子态为X2Σ+,平衡核间距Re=0.1367 nm,BeF2分子最稳定构型为D∞h构型,基态电子态为X1Σg+,离解能De=13.4 eV。利用最小二乘法拟合了BeF分子基态的Murrell-Sorbie势能函数,并得到其光谱数据与力常数。结合全局多体项展式方法,导出了基态BeF2分子基态势能函数的解析表达式,该函数准确反映了BeF2分子的结构以及静态反应特征,这些结果为进一步探索BeF2的微观分子反应动力学提供了基础。     

GeHn±(n=0,1,2)的势能函数和光谱常数研究

用密度泛函B3lyp/6-311++g(d,p)方法对 分子离子进行理论研究。结果表明：GeH,GeH+,GeH-1均能稳定存在,GeH+2和GeH-2有亚稳定态存在,其基态电子态分别是: 2Π(GeH),1Σ(GeH+),3Σ(GeH-),2Σ(GeH+2)和2Π(GeH-2),GeH+2和GeH-2的势能函数呈明显的‘火山态’型,导出了相应的分子离子的解析势能函数、光谱数据和力常数,比较了四参数、八参数Murrell-Sorbie势和Zhu-Wang势对不稳定分子势能函数的拟合情况,指出了用八参数Murrell-Sorbie势对‘火山态’型势能函数的拟合也是合适的;同时讨论了电荷对势能函数和能级的影响。     

PuH_2分子的分析势能函数研究

在相对论有效原子实势近似下 ,用B3LYP密度泛函方法计算优化出PuH2 分子基态的结构参数 ,离解能和力常数。采用多体展式方法 ,导出PuH2 分子基态 (X7A1)的分析势能函数 ,获得的势能面正确地复现出PuH2 分子的平衡结构特征。     

基态S3分子的结构与解析势能函数

本文采用Gaussian03 B3P86方法,在6-311 G(3d2f)基组水平上,对S3分子进行几何优化理论计算,计算结果表明S3分子基态1A1最稳定的构型为C2V构型,其离解能为10.8372 eV,能量最小值为-1193.19946 a.u.,计算还得到了谐振频率、力常数,计算结果与实验值符合得很好.在此基础上利用多体展式理论方法得到了S3分子的解析势能函数和等值势能图,势能函数正确反映了S3分子的构型与能量变化.     

B3分子的结构和势能函数

利用从头计算法QCISD/6-311G**确定了B3分子的基电子态,并计算了结构参数.采用原子分子反应静力学原理推导了其离解极限.在此基础上,用多体展式法导出了B3(X2A′1)的解析势能函数,可用于进一步的计算研究.通过势能函数等值图和三维图分析和展示了B3分子的结构特点,并指出由B2到B3分子的最可能途径.     

An investigation on planar dielectric light collectors for illumination and solar energy applications

In this paper the performances of inhomogeneous dielectric slabs as solar light collectors for both illumination and solar energy applications are analysed.     

The theoretical study on the potential energy curve for X~3△ state of TiO molecule

This paper applies the density functional theory method to optimise the structure for X ³Δ state of TiO molecule with the basis sets 6-31G, 6-31++G and 6-311G^**. Comparing the attained results with the experiments, it obtains the conclusion that the basis set 6-31++G is most suitable for the optimal structure calculations of X ³Δ state of TiO molecule. The whole potential energy curve for the electronic state is further scanned by using B3P86/6-31++G method for the ground state, then it uses a least square fitted to Murrell--Sorbie functions, at last it calculates the spectroscopic constants and force constants, which are in better agreement with the experimental data.     

AuZn和AuAl分子基态与低激发态的势能函数与热力学性质

用密度泛函理论B3LYP方法计算研究AuZn和AuAl分子基态与低激发态的结构与势能函数,导出分子的光谱数据.结果表明,AuZn和AuAl分子基态分别为X²Σ和X¹Σ,基态与低激发态的势能函数均可用Murrell-Sorbie函数来表达.AuZn分子低激发态a⁴Σ的绝热激发能为43529kJ/mol,AuAl分子低激发态a³Σ的绝热激发能为19991kJ/mol.计算固体AuZn和AuAl的内能和熵时,近似以气体分子的电子能和振动能代替固体分子的内能,用电子熵和振动熵代替固体分子的熵.在此近似下,计算得到AuZn和AuAl基态与低激发态固态分子生成反应热力学性质与温度的关系. 关键词： AuZn和AuAl B3LYP 热力学性质 势能函数     

基态Lin(n=2, 3)结构与完全解析势能函数

使用Gaussian03程序包, 采用全电子单双取代耦合簇(CCSD(full))方法, 选择基组6-311+g(2df) , 对Li2分子的基态进行优化计算, 采用十一参量Murrell-Sorbie函数, 运用最小二乘法拟合得到Li2分子基态解析势能函数, 给出与实验值符合很好的光谱常数; 使用同样的方法和基组, 对Li3分子的基态结构进行优化计算, 得到Li3分子基态平衡结构. 采用多体项展式法, 利用Li3分子平衡结构C2v的几何参数、力常数和离解能, 以及七个线性系数Ci(i=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)与两个非线性系数的函数关系, 进行非线性优化拟合得到两个非线性系数, 进而得到七个线性系数, 得到Li3分子基态完全解析势能函数. 势能面静态特征表明, 该势能函数再现了Li3分子基态全部平衡结构特征.     

基态Li_n(n=2,3)结构与完全解析势能函数

使用Gaussian03程序包,采用全电子单双取代耦合簇(CCSD(full))方法,选择基组6-311+g(2df),对Li2分子的基态进行优化计算,采用十一参量Murrell-Sorbie函数,运用最小二乘法拟合得到Li2分子基态解析势能函数,给出与实验值符合很好的光谱常数;使用同样的方法和基组,对Li3分子的基态结构进行优化计算,得到Li3分子基态平衡结构.采用多体项展式法,利用Li3分子平衡结构C2v的几何参数、力常数和离解能,以及七个线性系数Ci(i=1,2,3,4,5,6,7)与两个非线性系数的函数关系,进行非线性优化拟合得到两个非线性系数,进而得到七个线性系数,得到Li3分子基态完全解析势能函数.势能面静态特征表明,该势能函数再现了Li3分子基态全部平衡结构特征.     

The effect of the use of different electrode materials for edge-plasma biasing on plasma density and floating potential modifications

The effect of the use of different electrode materials for edge-plasma biasing on plasma density and floating-potential profile modifications has been recently investigated on the CASTOR tokamak. Dependences of biasing current, edge plasma density and floating potential on biasing voltage have been measured. Induced relaxation events and fast (10–50) kHz oscillations are shown and surface changes of the biasing electrodes are discussed in the paper. Presented at the Workshop “Electric Fields, Structures and Relaxation in Edge Plasmas”, Tarragona, Spain, July 3–4, 2005.     

基态Bn(n=2,3)结构与完全解析势能函数简

使用Gaussian03程序包,采用全电子单双取代耦合簇(CCSD(full))方法,选择基组6-311+g(2df),对B2分子的基态进行优化计算,采用十一参量Murrell-Sorbie函数,运用最小二乘法拟合得到B2分子基态解析势能函数,给出与实验值符合很好的光谱常数;使用同样的方法和基组,对B3分子的基态结构进行优化计算,得到B3分子基态平衡结构.采用多体项展式法,利用B3分子平衡结构C2v的几何参数、力常数和离解能,以及七个线性系数Ci(i=1,2,3,4,5,6,7)与两个非线性系数的函数关系,进行非线性优化拟合得到两个非线性系数,进而得到七个线性系数,得到B3分子基态完全解析势能函数.势能面静态特征表明,该势能函数准确再现了B3分子基态全部平衡结构特征.