Adsorption Sequence of Multifunctional Groups: A Study on the Reaction Pathway and the Adsorption Structure of Homocysteine on the Ge(100) Surface

We investigated the adsorption mechanism of homocysteine (HS? CH₂? CH₂? CH(NH₂)? COOH) on the Ge(100) surface along with its electronic structures and adsorption geometries to determine the sequence of adsorption of this amino acid′s functional groups using core‐level photoemission spectroscopy (CLPES) in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We found that the “SH‐dissociated OH‐dissociated N‐dative‐bonded structure” and the “SH‐dissociated OH‐dissociation‐bonded structure” were preferred at a monolayer (ML) coverage of 0.30 (lower coverage) and 0.60 (higher coverage), respectively. The “SH‐dissociated OH‐dissociated N‐dative‐bonded structure” was the most stable structure. Moreover, we systematically confirmed the sequence of adsorption of the functional groups of the homocysteine molecule on the Ge(100) surface, which is thiol group (? SH), carboxyl group (? COOH), and amine group (? NH₂).     

Cooperative Formation of Long‐Range Ordering in Water Ad‐layers on Fe3O4(111) Surfaces

The initial stages of water adsorption on magnetite Fe₃O₄(111) surface and the atomic structure of the water/oxide interface remain controversial. Herein, we provide experimental results obtained by infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD), corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations showing that water readily dissociates on Fe_tet sites to form two hydroxo species. These act as an anchor for water molecules to form a dimer complex which self‐assembles into an ordered (2×2) structure. Water ad‐layer ordering is rationalized in terms of a cooperative effect induced by a hydrogen‐bonding network.     

An ONIOM and DFT study of water and ammonia adsorption on anatase TiO2 (001) cluster

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at ONIOM DFT B3LYP/ 6‐31G**‐MD/UFF level are employed to study molecular and dissociative water and ammonia adsorption on anatase TiO₂ (001) surface represented by partially relaxed Ti₂₀O₃₅ ONIOM cluster. DFT calculations indicate that water molecule is dissociated on anatase TiO₂ (001) surface by a nonactivated process with an exothermic relative energy difference of 58.12 kcal/mol. Dissociation of ammonia molecule on the same surface is energetically more favorable than molecular adsorption of ammonia (?37.17 kcal/mol vs. ?23.28 kcal/mol). The vibration frequency values also are computed for the optimized geometries of adsorbed water and ammonia molecules on anatase TiO₂ (001) surface. The computed adsorption energy and vibration frequency values are comparable with the values reported in the literature. Finally, several thermodynamical properties (ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG°) are calculated for temperatures corresponding to the experimental studies. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

An ONIOM and DFT study of water adsorption on rutile TiO2 (110) cluster

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed at ONIOM DFT B3LYP/6‐31G**‐MD/UFF level are employed to study molecular and dissociative water adsorption on rutile TiO₂ (110) surface represented by partially relaxed Ti₂₅O₃₇ ONIOM cluster. DFT calculations indicate that dissociative water adsorption is not favorable because of high activation barrier (23.2 kcal/mol). The adsorption energy and vibration frequency of both molecularly and dissociatively adsorbed water molecule on rutile TiO₂ (110) surface compare well with the values reported in the literature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Intramolecular Oxidative O‐Demethylation of an Oxoferryl Porphyrin Complexed with a Per‐O‐methylated β‐Cyclodextrin Dimer

The intramolecular oxidation of ROCH₃ to ROCH₂OH, where the latter compound spontaneously decomposed to ROH and HCHO, was observed during the reaction of the supramolecular complex (met‐hemoCD3) with cumene hydroperoxide in aqueous solution. Met‐hemoCD3 is composed of meso‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) (Fe^IIITPPS) and a per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer having an ‐OCH₂PyCH₂O‐ linker (Py=pyridine‐3,5‐diyl). The O=Fe^IVTPPS complex was formed by the reaction of met‐hemoCD3 with cumene hydroperoxide, and isolated by gel‐filtration chromatography. Although the isolated O=Fe^IVTPPS complex in the cyclodextrin cage was stable in aqueous solution at 25 °C, it was gradually converted to Fe^IITPPS (t_1/2=7.6 h). This conversion was accompanied by oxidative O‐demethylation of an OCH₃ group in the cyclodextrin dimer. The results indicated that hydrogen abstraction by O=Fe^IVTPPS from ROCH₃ yields HO‐Fe^IIITPPS and ROCH₂^.. This was followed by radical coupling to afford Fe^IITPPS and ROCH₂OH. The hemiacetal (ROCH₂OH) immediately decomposed to ROH and HCHO. This study revealed the ability of oxoferryl porphyrin to induce two‐electron oxidation.     

Mechanistic Insight into Peroxo‐Shunt Formation of Biomimetic Models for Compound II,Their Reactivity toward Organic Substrates,and the Influence of N‐Methylimidazole Axial Ligation

High‐valent iron‐oxo species have been invoked as reactive intermediates in catalytic cycles of heme and nonheme enzymes. The studies presented herein are devoted to the formation of compound II model complexes, with the application of a water soluble (TMPS)Fe^III(OH) porphyrin ([meso‐tetrakis(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐3‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinato]iron(III) hydroxide) and hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, and their reactivity toward selected organic substrates. The kinetics of the reaction of H₂O₂ with (TMPS)Fe^III(OH) was studied as a function of temperature and pressure. The negative values of the activation entropy and activation volume for the formation of (TMPS)Fe^IV?O(OH) point to the overall associative nature of the process. A pH‐dependence study on the formation of (TMPS)Fe^IV?O(OH) revealed a very high reactivity of OOH^? toward (TMPS)Fe^III(OH) in comparison to H₂O₂. The influence of N‐methylimidazole (N‐MeIm) ligation on both the formation of iron(IV)‐oxo species and their oxidising properties in the reactions with 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol or 4‐methoxybenzaldehyde, was investigated in detail. Combined experimental and theoretical studies revealed that among the studied complexes, (TMPS)Fe^III(H₂O)(N‐MeIm) is highly reactive toward H₂O₂ to form the iron(IV)‐oxo species, (TMPS)Fe^IV?O(N‐MeIm). The latter species can also be formed in the reaction of (TMPS)Fe^III(N‐MeIm)₂ with H₂O₂ or in the direct reaction of (TMPS)Fe^IV?O(OH) with N‐MeIm. Interestingly, the kinetic studies involving substrate oxidation by (TMPS)Fe^IV?O(OH) and (TMPS)Fe^IV?O(N‐MeIm) do not display a pronounced effect of the N‐MeIm axial ligand on the reactivity of the compound II mimic in comparison to the OH^? substituted analogue. Similarly, DFT computations revealed that the presence of an axial ligand (OH^? or N‐MeIm) in the trans position to the oxo group in the iron(IV)‐oxo species does not significantly affect the activation barriers calculated for C?H dehydrogenation of the selected organic substrates.     

Dynamic Properties of Molecular Tweezers with a Bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)pyrimidine Backbone

4,6‐Bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐alkylpyrimidines with two anthryl or 9‐ethylnylanthryl substituents at the positions para to the OH groups prefer a U‐shaped conformation supported by two intramolecular OH ??? N hydrogen bonds in the solid state and in CDCl₃ solution. The compound with a hexyl substituent on the pyrimidine group and two 9‐ethynylanthryl arms at the hydroxyphenyl groups forms a 1:1 complex with 2,4,7‐trinitrofluorenone. Its association constant K_a was estimated to be 2100 M ^?1 at 298 K, which is larger than those of other molecular tweezers (K_a<1000 M ^?1). DFT calculations suggested that the complex adopts a stable conformation supported by intramolecular hydrogen bonds among the OH groups and the pyrimidine ring as well as by intermolecular π–π interaction between the anthryl groups and 2,4,7‐trinitrofluorenone. Addition of nBu₄NF to a solution of the molecular tweezers or their complexes causes the cleavage of one or two OH ??? N hydrogen bonds, formation of new O ??? HF hydrogen bonds, and changes in the molecular conformation. The resulting structure of the molecular tweezers contains nonparallel anthryl groups, which do not bind the guest molecule. Photochemical measurements on 4,6‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐methylpyrimidine with two anthryl substituents showed negligible luminescence (quantum yield ?<0.01), owing to photoinduced electron transfer of the molecule with a U‐shaped structure. However, the O‐hexylated compound exhibits emission from the anthryl groups with ?=0.39.     

Mechanism of Thioether Oxidation over Di‐ and Tetrameric Ti Centres: Kinetic and DFT Studies Based on Model Ti‐Containing Polyoxometalates

The oxidation of thioethers by the green oxidant aqueous H₂O₂ catalysed by the tetratitanium‐substituted Polyoxometalate (POM) (Bu₄N)₈[{γ‐SiTi₂W₁₀O₃₆(OH)₂}₂(μ‐O)₂], as a model catalyst comprising tetrameric titanium centres, was investigated by kinetic modelling and DFT calculations. Several mechanisms of sulfoxidation were evaluated by using methyl phenyl sulfide (PhSMe) as a model substrate in the experiments and dimethyl sulfide in the calculations. The first mechanism assumes that the active hydroperoxo species forms directly through interaction of the Ti₂(μ‐OH)₂ group in [{γ‐SiTi₂W₁₀O₃₆(OH)₂}₂(μ‐O)₂]^8? ( 1 D ) with H₂O₂. The second mechanism includes hydrolysis of Ti‐O‐Ti bonds linking two γ‐Keggin units in structure 1 D to produce the monomer [(γ‐SiW₁₀Ti₂O₃₈H₂)(OH)₂]^4? ( 1 M ), followed by the formation of an active hydroperoxo species upon interaction of the Ti hydroxo group with H₂O₂. Both kinetic modelling and DFT calculations support the mechanism through the monomeric species that involves the hydrolysis step. According to the DFT studies the activation of H₂O₂ by compound 1 M is preferred by 6.5 kcal mol^?1 with respect to anion 1 D due to the more flexible Ti environment of the terminal Ti hydroxo group in 1 M . The calculations also indicate that for the ?monomeric“ mechanism two pathways are operative: the mono‐ and the multinuclear pathway. In the mononuclear mechanism, the active group is the terminal Ti?OH group, whereas in the multinuclear path the active group is the bridging Ti₂(μ‐OH) moiety. Moreover, unlike previous studies, the sulfoxidation is preferred through a β‐oxygen atom transfer from the Ti hydroperoxo group because the α‐oxygen atom transfer leads to an unfavourable seven‐fold coordinated Ti environment in the transition state. Finally, we have generalised these results to other Ti‐containing POMs: the Ti‐monosubstituted α‐Keggin ion [α‐PTi(OH)W₁₁O₃₉]^4? and the dititanium‐substituted sandwich‐type ion [Ti₂(OH)₂As₂W₁₉O₆₇]^8?.     

The Uncommon Channel‐Based Ln‐MOFs for Highly Selective Fe3+ Detection and Superior Rhodamine B Adsorption

Two new isostructural 3D lanthanide–organic frameworks [H₂N(Me)₂] [Ln₃(OH)(bpt)₃(H₂O)₃] (DMF)₂?(H₂O)₄ ( 1‐Ln ; Ln=Sm and Eu) with a 1D channel (25 Å) have been successfully assembled from the rare trinuclear [Ln₃(OH)(COO)₉] clusters and biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃bpt) and exhibit high stability towards water in the pH range 3–10. MOF 1‐Eu is a promising luminescent probe for sensing Fe³⁺ in aqueous solution and is also selective towards rhodamine B (RhB) with a superior adsorption capacity of 735 mg g^?1, which is the highest among the reported Ln‐MOFs for RhB removal so far. Periodic DFT calculations further confirmed the selective adsorption of rhodamine B over other dyes.     

Gold Nanoparticles Carrying Diatomic Molecules (O2 and CO) in Aqueous Solution

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by citrate reduction of aurochloric acid (HAuCl₄) were functionalized by tris(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) (Fe^IIIP2) and poly(ethylene glycol) with thiolated arms (PEG‐SH). Fe^IIIP2 on the AuNP surface existed as its μ‐oxo dimer, which was reduced by Na₂S₂O₄ to yield monomeric Fe^IIP2. Fe^IIP2‐bearing AuNPs were further functionalized through inclusion of two sulfonatophenyl groups of Fe^IIP2 by a per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker (Py3CD) to obtain AuNPs capable of carrying diatomic molecules in the body. The resulting AuNPs (hemoCD‐AuNPs) bound O₂ as well as CO in an aqueous solution. Although a noncolloidal 1:1 complex of 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) and Py3CD injected into the femoral vein of a rat was rapidly excreted in the urine, no excretion was observed with ferric hemoCD‐AuNPs, which were gradually accumulated in the spleen and liver of a rat. These results suggest that hemoCD‐AuNPs can be used as a carrier of diatomic molecules such as O₂ and CO in vivo.     

Characterization of the FeV=O Complex in the Pathway of Water Oxidation

Hypervalent Fe^V=O species are implicated in a multitude of oxidative reactions of organic substrates, as well as in catalytic water oxidation, a reaction crucial for artificial photosynthesis. Spectroscopically characterized Fe^V species are exceedingly rare and, so far, were produced by the oxidation of Fe complexes with peroxy acids or H₂O₂: reactions that entail breaking of the O?O bond to form a Fe^V=O fragment. The key Fe^V=O species proposed to initiate the O?O bond formation in water oxidation reactions remained undetected, presumably due to their high reactivity. Here, we achieved freeze quench trapping of six coordinated [Fe^V=O,(OH)(Pytacn)]²⁺ (Pytacn=1‐(2′‐pyridylmethyl)‐4,7‐dimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) ( 2 ) generated during catalytic water oxidation. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed the Fe^V oxidation state and the presence of a Fe^V=O bond at ≈1.60 Å. Combined EPR and DFT methods indicate that 2 contains a S=3/2 Fe^V center. 2 is the first spectroscopically characterized high spin oxo‐Fe^V complex and constitutes a paradigmatic example of the Fe^V=O(OH) species proposed to be responsible for catalytic water oxidation reactions.     

Equilibrium and kinetic study of novel methyltrimethoxysilane magnetic titanium dioxide nanocomposite for methylene blue adsorption from aqueous media

Novel magnetic titanium dioxide nanoparticles decorated with methyltrimethoxysilane (Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐MTMOS) were successfully fabricated via a sol–gel method at room temperature. The synthesized material was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry. The removal efficiency of the adsorbent was evaluated through the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from water samples. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics were evaluated using various models. The Langmuir model indicated a high adsorption capacity (11.5 mg g^?1) of Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐MTMOS. The nanocomposite exhibited high removal efficiency (96%) and good regeneration (10 times) compared to Fe₃O₄ and Fe₃O₄@TiO₂ at pH = 9.0. Based on the adsorption mechanism, electrostatic interaction plays a main role in adsorption since MB dye is cationic in nature at pH = 9, whereas the adsorbent acquired an anionic nature. The newly synthesized Fe₃O₄@TiO₂‐MTMOS can be used as a promising material for efficient removal of MB dye from aqueous media.     

Two‐Color Valence‐to‐Core X‐ray Emission Spectroscopy Tracks Cofactor Protonation State in a Class I Ribonucleotide Reductase

Proton transfer reactions are of central importance to a wide variety of biochemical processes, though determining proton location and monitoring proton transfers in biological systems is often extremely challenging. Herein, we use two‐color valence‐to‐core X‐ray emission spectroscopy (VtC XES) to identify protonation events across three oxidation states of the O₂‐activating, radical‐initiating manganese–iron heterodinuclear cofactor in a class I‐c ribonucleotide reductase. This is the first application of VtC XES to an enzyme intermediate and the first simultaneous measurement of two‐color VtC spectra. In contrast to more conventional methods of assessing protonation state, VtC XES is a more direct probe applicable to a wide range of metalloenzyme systems. These data, coupled to insight provided by DFT calculations, allow the inorganic cores of the Mn^IVFe^IV and Mn^IVFe^III states of the enzyme to be assigned as Mn^IV(μ‐O)₂Fe^IV and Mn^IV(μ‐O)(μ‐OH)Fe^III, respectively.     

Activation of Methane Promoted by Adsorption of CO on Mo2C2− Cluster Anions

Atomic clusters are being actively studied for activation of methane, the most stable alkane molecule. While many cluster cations are very reactive with methane, the cluster anions are usually not very reactive, particularly for noble metal free anions. This study reports that the reactivity of molybdenum carbide cluster anions with methane can be much enhanced by adsorption of CO. The Mo₂C₂^? is inert with CH₄ while the CO addition product Mo₂C₃O^? brings about dehydrogenation of CH₄ under thermal collision conditions. The cluster structures and reactions are characterized by mass spectrometry, photoelectron spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry calculations, which demonstrate that the Mo₂C₃O^? isomer with dissociated CO is reactive but the one with non‐dissociated CO is unreactive. The enhancement of cluster reactivity promoted by CO adsorption in this study is compared with those of reported systems of a few carbonyl complexes.     

The reliability of DFT methods to predict electronic structures and minimum energy crossing point for [FeIVO](OH)2 models: A comparison study with MCQDPT method

In order to test the reliability of DFT methods for calculating electronic structures of [Fe^IVO] system, detailed calculations of [Fe^IVO](OH)₂ models were performed for several low‐energy states using multiconfiguration quasidegenerate perturbation theory (MCQDPT) as well as DFT‐based methods. The minimum energy crossing points (MECP) of ⁵A₁/⁵B₂ and ³B₂/⁵B₂ were investigated based on Lagrange–Newton approach. The results show that M06 functional produce energy gaps close to those of MCQDPT results. Another topic in this article is that the electron configurations of [Fe^IVO](OH)₂ models strongly depend on the type of surface ligand used, and the two lowest states of these can facile transition each other by the MECP. The practicability of M06 method in locating the MECP is validated by the results of MCQDPT which demonstrate the two‐state reactivity (TSR) can be studied with proper DFT method. These inspections provide the basis for further TSR study of larger [Fe^IVO] system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Computational Study of the Olefin Epoxidation Mechanism Catalyzed by Cyclopentadienyloxidomolybdenum(VI) Complexes

A DFT analysis of the epoxidation of C₂H₄ by H₂O₂ and MeOOH (as models of tert‐butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) catalyzed by [Cp*MoO₂Cl] ( 1 ) in CHCl₃ and by [Cp*MoO₂(H₂O)]⁺ in water is presented (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). The calculations were performed both in the gas phase and in solution with the use of the conductor‐like polarizable continuum model (CPCM). A low‐energy pathway has been identified, which starts with the activation of ROOH (R=H or Me) to form a hydro/alkylperoxido derivative, [Cp*MoO(OH)(OOR)Cl] or [Cp*MoO(OH)(OOR)]⁺ with barriers of 24.9 (26.5) and 28.7 (29.2) kcal mol^?1 for H₂O₂ (MeOOH), respectively, in solution. The latter barrier, however, is reduced to only 1.0 (1.6) kcal mol^?1 when one additional water molecule is explicitly included in the calculations. The hydro/alkylperoxido ligand in these intermediates is η²‐coordinated, with a significant interaction between the Mo center and the O^β atom. The subsequent step is a nucleophilic attack of the ethylene molecule on the activated O^α atom, requiring 13.9 (17.8) and 16.1 (17.7) kcal mol^?1 in solution, respectively. The corresponding transformation, catalyzed by the peroxido complex [Cp*MoO(O₂)Cl] in CHCl₃, requires higher barriers for both steps (ROOH activation: 34.3 (35.2) kcal mol^?1; O atom transfer: 28.5 (30.3) kcal mol^?1), which is attributed to both greater steric crowding and to the greater electron density on the metal atom.     

The Mechanism of Stereospecific C?H Oxidation by Fe(Pytacn) Complexes: Bioinspired Non‐Heme Iron Catalysts Containing cis‐Labile Exchangeable Sites

A detailed mechanistic study of the hydroxylation of alkane C? H bonds using H₂O₂ by a family of mononuclear non heme iron catalysts with the formula [Fe^II(CF₃SO₃)₂(L)] is described, in which L is a tetradentate ligand containing a triazacyclononane tripod and a pyridine ring bearing different substituents at the α and γ positions, which tune the electronic or steric properties of the corresponding iron complexes. Two inequivalent cis‐labile exchangeable sites, occupied by triflate ions, complete the octahedral iron coordination sphere. The C? H hydroxylation mediated by this family of complexes takes place with retention of configuration. Oxygen atoms from water are incorporated into hydroxylated products and the extent of this incorporation depends in a systematic manner on the nature of the catalyst, and the substrate. Mechanistic probes and isotopic analyses, in combination with detailed density functional theory (DFT) calculations, provide strong evidence that C? H hydroxylation is performed by highly electrophilic [Fe^V(O)(OH)L] species through a concerted asynchronous mechanism, involving homolytic breakage of the C? H bond, followed by rebound of the hydroxyl ligand. The [Fe^V(O)(OH)L] species can exist in two tautomeric forms, differing in the position of oxo and hydroxide ligands. Isotopic‐labeling analysis shows that the relative reactivities of the two tautomeric forms are sensitively affected by the α substituent of the pyridine, and this reactivity behavior is rationalized by computational methods.     

New theoretical insight on the acid sites distribution,their local structures and acid strength of the SAPO‐11 molecular sieve

ONIOM(DFT:PM3) calculations were carried out to investigate and characterize possible acid sites of SAPO‐11 molecular sieve. Two functionals were employed: B3LYP and ωB97X‐D. This last functional includes dispersion effects that are absent in the former. Benzene, pyridine, and ammonia interaction energies as well as the OH stretching frequencies of the POH, SiOH, and bridged Si(OH)Al groups were used to characterize the acid sites. This work shows that the adsorption of benzene on the surface is as strong as the adsorptions inside main channel of SAPO‐11. Pyridine adsorption on the surface is weaker than the one corresponding to the main channel. NH₃ molecule interacts strongly with all OH groups or acid sites present in SAPO‐11. Moreover, the results reveal that it is possible to adsorb two NH₃ molecules at only one Brønsted site. The adsorption of the second NH₃ molecule is energetically favorable mainly due to the hydrogen bond formation between the NH₃ molecules. In general the interaction energy increases with the type of functional used, according to the trend ωB97X‐D > B3LYP. The results show that ONIOM methodology seems to be suited to investigate the acid sites in SAPO‐11.     

The Interaction of Water with Free Mn4O4+ Clusters: Deprotonation and Adsorption‐Induced Structural Transformations

As the biological activation and oxidation of water takes place at an inorganic cluster of the stoichiometry CaMn₄O₅, manganese oxide is one of the materials of choice in the quest for versatile, earth‐abundant water splitting catalysts. To probe basic concepts and aid the design of artificial water‐splitting molecular catalysts, a hierarchical modeling strategy was employed that explores clusters of increasing complexity, starting from the tetramanganese oxide cluster Mn₄O₄⁺ as a molecular model system for catalyzed water activation. First‐principles calculations in conjunction with IR spectroscopy provide fundamental insight into the interaction of water with Mn₄O₄⁺, one water molecule at a time. All of the investigated complexes Mn₄O₄(H₂O)_n⁺ (n=1–7) contain deprotonated water with a maximum of four dissociatively bound water molecules, and they exhibit structural fluxionality upon water adsorption, inducing dimensional and structural transformations of the cluster core.     

Covalent Functionalization of Zn12O12 Nanocluster with Thiophene

Covalent functionalization of a ZnO nanocluster with thiophene molecule was studied by means of density functional theory calculations. The obtained results show that the molecule is physically adsorbed on the surface of nanocluster with adsorption energies in the range of ?0.33 to ?0.42 eV. In this study, ²η-C₄H₄S–Zn₁₂O₁₂ cluster is the most stable adsorption among all thiophene adsorption configurations. Accordingly, HOMO–LUMO energy gap of the nano-cluster is changed about 0.24 to 0.72 % using the DFT calculations. The values of charge transfer shows that π-back bonding exists for ²η and ⁵η bonding modes. Present results might be helpful to provide an effective way to modify the Zn₁₂O₁₂ properties for further applications such as generation of the new hybrid compounds.