A computational study of aluminum phosphide nanotubes

Electronic structures of two representative zigzag and armchair models of aluminum phosphide nanotube (AlPNT) were investigated by density functional theory calculations. The structures were optimized and the bond lengths, tip diameters, band gaps, and dipole moments were calculated. Moreover, the quadrupole coupling constants (C_Q) were calculated for the Al‐27 atoms of the optimized structures. The same values of Al? P bond lengths were calculated for both models. The larger value of band gap of armchair model than the zigzag model indicated the stronger dielectric property for the former model. The values of C_Q(²⁷Al) were the largest for the Al atoms placed at the tips of both zigzag and armchair AlPNT than other Al atoms, which could reveal dominant role of the Al atoms placed at the tips of nanotube in determining the electronic properties of the AlPNT. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

SiC-doped boron nitride nanotubes: computations of 11B and 14N quadrupole coupling constants

Abstract  

Density-functional theory calculations have been performed to investigate the properties of the electronic structures of silicon–carbon-doped boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). The geometries of zigzag and armchair BNNTs were initially optimized and the quadrupole coupling constants subsequently calculated. The results indicate that doping of B and N atoms by C and Si atoms has more influence on the electronic structure of the BNNTs than does doping of B and N atoms by Si and C atoms. The changes of the electronic sites of the N atoms are also more significant than those of the B atoms.     

Adsorption of transition-metal atoms on boron nitride nanotube: a density-functional study

Adsorption of transition atoms on a (8,0) zigzag single-walled boron nitride (BN) nanotube has been investigated using density-functional theory methods. Main focuses have been placed on configurations corresponding to the located minima of the adsorbates, the corresponding binding energies, and the modified electronic properties of the BN nanotubes due to the adsorbates. We have systemically studied a series of metal adsorbates including all 3d transition-metal elements (Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and two group-VIIIA transition-metal elements (Pd and Pt). We found that many transition-metal atoms can be chemically adsorbed on the outer surface of the BN nanotubes and that the adsorption process is typically exothermic. Upon adsorption, the binding energies of the Sc, Ti, Ni, Pd, and Pt atoms are relatively high (>1.0 eV), while those of V, Fe, and Co atoms are modest, ranging from 0.62 to 0.92 eV. Mn atom forms a weak bond with the BN nanotube, while Zn atom cannot be chemically adsorbed on the BN nanotube. In most cases, the adsorption of transition-metal atoms can induce certain impurity states within the band gap of the pristine BN nanotube, thereby reducing the band gap. Most metal-adsorbed BN nanotubes exhibit nonzero magnetic moments, contributed largely by the transition-metal atoms.     

Studying (n, 0) and (m,m) GaP nanotubes (n = 3–10 and m = 2–6) through DFT calculations of Ga-69 quadrupole coupling constants

We investigated properties of representative zigzag and armchair gallium phosphide (GaP) nanotubes by performing density functional theory (DFT) calculations. To achieve our purpose, eight models of (n,0) zigzag GaP nanotubes with n = 3–10 and five models of (m,m) armchair GaP nanotubes m = 2–6 were considered. Each model was firstly optimized and quadrupole coupling constants (C_Q) were subsequently calculated for gallium-69 atoms of the optimized structures. The results indicated that the optimized properties including dipole moments, energy gaps, binding energies, and bond lengths could be mainly dependent on the diameters of GaP nanotubes, which are directly determined by n or m indices. Moreover, comparing the values of C_Q parameters indicated that the narrower GaP nanotubes could be considered as more reactive materials than the wider nanotubes, in which the reactivities are very important in determining the applications of nanotubes. And finally, the atoms at the sidewalls of nanotubes could be divided into atomic layers based on the similarities of properties for atoms of each layer, in which the properties of Ga atoms at the edges of nanotubes are significantly different from other layers only for wider nanotubes.     

Computational studies of effects of tubular lengths on the NMR properties of pristine and carbon decorated boron phosphide nanotubes

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the effects of tubular lengths on the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties of boron phosphide (BP) nanotubes. To this aim, the properties of pristine and carbon decorated (C-decorated) models of representative zigzag and armchair BP nanotubes were investigated. The results indicated that the atoms at the edges of nanotubes do not detect any significant changes. The NMR properties of boron atoms only detect slight changes but those of phosphorous atoms are more notable.     

Ferromagnetism induced by intrinsic defects and boron substitution in single-wall SiC nanotubes

On the basis of density functional theory (DFT) methods, we study the magnetic properties and electronic structures of the armchair (4, 4) and zigzag (8, 0) single-wall SiC nanotubes with various vacancies and boron substitution. The calculation results indicate that a Si vacancy could induce the magnetic moments in both armchair (4, 4) and zigzag (8, 0) single-wall SiC nanotubes, which mainly arise from the p orbital of C atoms surrounding Si vacancy, leading to the ferromagnetic coupling. However, a C vacancy could only bring about the magnetic moment in armchair (4, 4) single-wall SiC nanotube, which mainly originates from the polarization of Si p electrons, leading to the antiferromagnetic coupling. In addition, for both kinds of single-wall SiC nanotubes, magnetic moments can be induced by a boron atom substituting for C atom. When two boron atoms locate nearest neighbored, both kinds of single-wall Si(C, B) nanotubes exhibit antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Adsorption of the nitrosamine and thionitrosamine molecules as carcinogen compounds on the BN and B3Al N nanotubes: A DFT study

DFT calculations were performed to investigation of the influence of doping three atoms of aluminum on the electronic properties of the (4,0) zigzag boron nitride nanotube (BNNT). Also, adsorption properties of nitrosamine (NA) and thionitrosamine (TNA) molecules as carcinogen agents onto BN and B_Al3N nanotubes were studied. The results show that the B_3AlN nanotube is the most energetically favorable candidates for adsorption of these molecules. Also, B(B_3Al)NNT/TNA complexes are more stable than B(B_3Al)NNT/NA complexes. The HOMO–LUMO gap, electronic chemical potential (μ), hardness (?), softness (S), the maximum amount of electronic charge (ΔN_max) and electrophilicity index (ω) for monomers and complexes in the gas and polar solvent phases were calculated. The results show that the conductivity and reactivity of BNNT increase by doping Al atoms instead of B atoms. Also, the interaction of NA and TNA molecules with BN and B_Al3N nanotubes results in significant changes in the electronic properties of nanotubes. Based on the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, in all complexes charge transfer occurs from NA and TNA molecules to nanotubes. Theory of atoms in molecules (AIM) was applied to characterize the nature of interactions in nanotubes. It is predicted that, BN and B_3AlN nanotubes can be used to as sensor for detection of NA and TNA molecules.     

2D Ligand ENDOR and TRIPLE resonance studies of Cu(II)-doped DTGS single crystals

The deuteron hyperfine and quadrupole coupling tensors in the bis(glycinato)-Cu(II) ((ND₂CH₂COO)₂Cu) complex in ferroelectric triglycine sulfate (DTGS) single crystals were measured by ENDOR spectroscopy. These data indicate that the molecular symmetry of the Cu complex is C₁. From TRIPLE resonance experiments the signs of the isotropic coupling constants were determined. Structural information was obtained from the principal values of the quadrupole coupling tensors of the deuterium atoms and their direction cosines. Using the relationship between the deuterium quadrupole constant and ND bond lengths, the positions of the deuterons in bis(glycinato)-Cu(II) were estimated. The negative signs of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants were explained by spin polarization of the deuteron 1s orbitals. The values of the anisotropic hyperfine coupling constants are discussed in the framework of conventional molecular-orbital theory and can be understood quite satisfactorily.     

Computational studies of carbon nanotube-hydrocarbon bond strengths at nanotube ends: effect of link heteroatom and hydrocarbon structure

Semiempirical and density functional electronic structure theory methods were used to study SWNT-X--R bond strengths, where the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) had an armchair or zigzag structure, the link heteroatom X was O, N(H), or S and the hydrocarbon chain R was CH(2)CH(3), CH(OH)CH(3), CHCH(2), or CH(CF(3))CH(3). In all systems the hydrocarbon was bonded to the end of the nanotube. The SWNT-X--R bond (that is, the bond joining the link atom to the hydrocarbon) is more than 0.4 eV stronger for armchair than for zigzag nanotubes with the same diameters, irrespective of whether O, N, or S are used as link atoms or whether OH, C==C, or CF(3) groups are present in the hydrocarbon chain. This raises the possibility for selective manipulation of armchair/zigzag nanotubes using a variety of link atoms and hydrocarbon structures. The SWNT-O--CH(CF(3))CH(3) bond is weaker than the SWNT-O--CH(2)CH(3) bond (for both armchair and zigzag nanotubes), while inclusion of a double bond in the ethyl chain increases the bond strengths. Also, SWNT-S--CH(2)CH(3) and SWNT-N(H)--CH(2)CH(3) bonds are stronger than SWNT-O--CH(2)CH(3) bonds.     

毛刺状竹节结构氮化硼纳米管的合成与生长机理

以非晶硼和氧化镍纳米颗粒为原料,在氨气中1100℃下合成了毛刺状竹节结构的氮化硼纳米管. 利用X射线衍射和透射电镜研究了氮化硼纳米管的结构和形貌. 竹节结构纳米管表面的毛刺是六方氮化硼的纳米薄片. 提出了一种基于固态硼和气态二氧化硼扩散的毛刺形貌生长机理.     

First-principles study of interaction between H2 molecules and BN nanotubes with BN divacancies

The interaction between H(2) molecules and boron nitride (BN) single-walled nanotubes with BN divacancies is investigated with density-functional theory. Our calculations reveal that H(2) molecules adsorb physically outside defective BN nanotubes, and cannot enter into BN nanotubes through bare BN divacancies because the energy barrier is as high as 4.62 eV. After the defects are saturated by hydrogen atoms, the physisorption behavior of H(2) molecules is not changed, but the energy barrier of H(2) molecules entering into BN nanotubes through the defects is reduced to 0.58 eV. This phenomenon is ascribed to hydrogen saturation induced reduction of electrostatic potential around the defects.     

Density functional theory studies of carbon nanotube—graphene nanoribbon hybrids

Using first-principle density functional theory calculations, various junctions models constructed from (6, 0) carbon nanotube and graphene nanoribbon units via covalent linkage have been envisioned. Dipole moments, energy gaps, linking bond lengths and angles, quadrupole coupling constants are the obtained parameters. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO), molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEP) analyses and all energy calculations were performed at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level of theory.     

Electronic structure of sulfur terminated zigzag boron nitride nanotube: A computational study

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to investigate the electronic and structural properties of sulfur (S) terminated models of zigzag boron nitride (BN) nanotube. Four models including pristine, boron (B) tip terminated by S, nitrogen (N) tip terminated by S, and both of B and N tips terminated by S have been considered for optimizations and chemical shielding (CS) parameters calculations. The results indicate that the B–N bond lengths do not detect any changes due to the S-termination but the band gaps and dipole moments detect notable changes especially for the model of the N-tip terminated by the S atoms. The CS parameters also indicate that the atoms of the models are divided into layers with similar parameters in each layer. In the model of the B-tip terminated by the S atoms, the CS parameters indicate strong chemical bonding of N- and S-layers; however, only some attractions between the B- and S-layers of the model of the N-tip terminated by the S atoms have been detected. In the model of B and N tips terminated by the S atoms, the most significant changes among the models are detected.     

异质富勒烯C76BN的UV和IR光谱研究

Twenty-tow possible isomers for C76BN were studied by INDO methods. The two most stable geometries are 52,53-C76BN and 29,28-C76BN, in which boron and nitrogen atoms are connected with each other and located at the 6/6 bond near the longest axis of C78(C2v). Electronic spectra of C76BN were investigated with INDO/SCI method. UV absorptions of C76BN are red-shifted compared with those of C78(C2v). The structures and IR spectra for the four stable isomers of C76BN were calculated by AM1 method. It was indicated that the substitution of the BN unit weakens the conjugation of carbon atoms, leading to the decrease of IR frequencies.     

True nanocable assemblies with insulating BN nanotube sheaths and conducting Cu nanowire cores

Nanocable models comprised of BN nanotubes filled with close-packed Cu nanowires were investigated by gradient-corrected density functional theory (DFT) computations. The optimal distance between the sidewall of BN nanotubes and the atoms in a copper nanowire is about 0.35 nm, with a weak insertion energy (ca. -0.04 eV per Cu atom). Hence, such nanocables are assembled by weaker van der Waals (vdW) forces, rather than by chemical bonding interactions. The electronic band structures of the BN/Cu hybrid systems are superposition of those of the separate components, the BN nanotubes, and the Cu nanowires. Since charge density analyses show that the conduction electrons are distributed only on the copper atoms, charge transport will occur only in these inner nanowires, which are effectively insulated by the outer BN nanotubes. On the basis of these computational results, BN/Cu hybrid structures should be ideal nanocables.     

Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structure in the microwave spectrum of HCl-N2O: electric field gradient perturbation of N2O by HCl

The microwave spectra of six isotopomers of HCl-N(2)O have been obtained in the 7-19 GHz region with a pulsed molecular beam, Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structure due to all quadrupolar nuclei is resolved and the spectra are analyzed using the Watson S-reduced Hamiltonian with the inclusion of nuclear quadrupole coupling interactions. The spectroscopic constants determined include rotational constants, quartic and sextic centrifugal distortion constants, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for each quadrupolar nucleus. Due to correlations of the structural parameters, the effective structure of the complex cannot be obtained by fitting to the spectroscopic constants of the six isotopomers. Instead, the parameters for each isotopomer are calculated from the A and C rotational constants and the chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling constant along the a-axis, chi(aa). There are two possible structures; the one in which hydrogen of HCl interacts with the more electronegative oxygen of N(2)O is taken to represent the complex. The two subunits are approximately slipped parallel. For H (35)Cl-(14)N(2)O, the distance between the central nitrogen and chlorine is 3.5153 A and the N(2)O and HCl subunits form angles of 72.30 degrees and 119.44 degrees with this N-Cl axis, respectively. The chlorine and oxygen atoms occupy the opposite, obtuse vertices of the quadrilateral formed by O, central N, Cl, and H. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants show that while the electric field gradient of the HCl subunit remains essentially unchanged upon complexation, there is electronic rearrangement about the two nitrogen nuclei in N(2)O.     

Chemical Route to Twisted Graphene,Graphene Oxide and Boron Nitride

The recently discovered twisted graphene has attracted considerable interest. A simple chemical route was found to prepare twisted graphene by covalently linking layers of exfoliated graphene containing surface carboxyl groups with an amine-containing linker (trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane). The twisted graphene shows the expected selected area electron diffraction pattern with sets of diffraction spots out with different angular spacings, unlike graphene, which shows a hexagonal pattern. Twisted multilayer graphene oxide could be prepared by the above procedure. Twisted boron nitride, prepared by cross-linking layers of boron nitride (BN) containing surface amino groups with oxalic acid linker, exhibited a diffraction pattern comparable to that of twisted graphene. First-principles DFT calculations threw light on the structures and the nature of interactions associated with twisted graphene/BN obtained by covalent linking of layers.     

Linear scaling calculation of band edge states and doped semiconductors

Linear scaling methods provide total energy, but no energy levels and canonical wave functions. From the density matrix computed through the density matrix purification methods, we propose an order-N [O(N)] method for calculating both the energies and wave functions of band edge states, which are important for optical properties and chemical reactions. In addition, we also develop an O(N) algorithm to deal with doped semiconductors based on the O(N) method for band edge states calculation. We illustrate the O(N) behavior of the new method by applying it to boron nitride (BN) nanotubes and BN nanotubes with an adsorbed hydrogen atom. The band gap of various BN nanotubes are investigated systematically and the acceptor levels of BN nanotubes with an isolated adsorbed H atom are computed. Our methods are simple, robust, and especially suited for the application in self-consistent field electronic structure theory.     

Decoration of nitrogen vacancies by oxygen atoms in boron nitride nanotubes

Decoration of nitrogen vacancies by oxygen atoms has been studied by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) around B K-edge in several boron nitride (BN) structures, including bamboo-like and multi-walled BN nanotubes. Breaking of B-N bonds and formation of nitrogen vacancies under low-energy ion bombardment reduces oxidation resistance of BN structures and promotes an efficient oxygen-healing mechanism, in full agreement with some recent theoretical predictions. The formation of mixed O-B-N and B-O bonds is clearly identified by well-resolved peaks in NEXAFS spectra of excited boron atoms.     

A CDOE/INDO LMO study of the nuclear spin-spin coupling constants between directly bonded C-H and C-C atoms

Müller-Pritchard (MP) type relations are used to study¹ J _CH and¹ J _CC coupling constants in a series of unsubstituted as well as in heterosubstituted hydrocarbons. In the case of the coupling constant between two atoms connected by a multiple bond, a generalised MP-type relation is derived.Aangesteld Navorser of the Belgian National Foundation for Scientific Research (N.F.W.O.)