IR-SERS study and theoretical analogue on the adsorption behavior of pyridine carboxylic acid on silver nanoparticles

High qualities Raman spectra of pyridine carboxylic acid in silver colloidal solution and on silver-coated ITO glass at near infrared laser excitation were obtained in this article. The calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) were used to analysis the absorption behavior of these molecules. By comparing the experimental frequencies with the calculated ones, it can be concluded that the carboxylate-to-metal interaction is the key factor during the adsorption process, and the nitrogen-to-metal coordination seemed to play a secondary role in the process.     

Halide adsorption on single-crystal silver substrates: dynamic simulations and ab initio density functional theory

We investigate the static and dynamic behaviors of a Br adlayer electrochemically deposited onto single-crystal Ag(100) using an off-lattice model of the adlayer. Unlike previous studies using a lattice-gas model, the off-lattice model allows adparticles to be located at any position within a two-dimensional approximation to the substrate. Interactions with the substrate are approximated by a corrugation potential. Using density functional theory (DFT) to calculate surface binding energies, a sinusoidal approximation to the corrugation potential is constructed. A variety of techniques, including Monte Carlo and Langevin simulations, are used to study the behavior of the adlayer. The lateral root-mean-square (rms) deviation of the adparticles from the binding sites is presented along with equilibrium coverage isotherms, and the thermally activated Arrhenius barrier-hopping model used in previous dynamic Monte Carlo simulations is tested.     

Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra, vibrational assignment and density functional theory calculations of naphthazarin

FT Raman and FTIR spectra of Naphthazarin (5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) and its deuterated analogue are recorded. Comparison between the spectra obtained by two techniques, a series of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the spectral behavior upon deuteration were used for the assignment of the vibrational spectra of this compound. The calculated vibrational frequencies by the B3LYP, B3PW91, G96LYP, G96P86, and MPWLYP density functionals are generally consistent with the observed spectra. Infrared and Raman vibrational transitions predicted by B3LYP/6-311++G** are reported for the titled compound and its deuterated analogous and the assignments are discussed. All experimental and theoretical results support a relatively weak hydrogen bond in naphthazarin (NZ), compared with that in the enol form of normal beta-diketones. The observed nuOH/nuOD and gammaOH/gammaOD appear at about 3060/2220 and 790/560 cm(-1), respectively, which are consistent with the calculated hydrogen bond geometry and proton chemical shift results. Two bands at about 350 and 290 cm(-1) are assigned to the O...O stretching modes belong to A1 and B2 species, respectively.     

A comparative study of the antibacterial mechanisms of silver ion and silver nanoparticles by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

In this study, we performed the first comparative study of the antibacterial mechanisms of silver ion (Ag⁺) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Escherichia coli (E. coli) using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Through a thorough analysis of the FTIR spectra of E. coli after silver treatment in the spectral regions corresponding to thiol group, protein, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and DNA, we were able to reveal a multifaceted antibacterial mechanism of silver at the molecular level for both Ag⁺ and AgNPs. Features of such mechanism include: (1) silver complexes with thiol group; (2) silver induces protein misfolding; (3) silver causes loss of LPS from bacterial membrane; (4) silver changes the overall conformation of DNA. Despite the similarities between Ag⁺ and AgNPs with respect to their antibacterial mechanisms, we further revealed that Ag⁺ and AgNPs display quite different kinetics for silver-thiol complexation and loss of LPS, with Ag⁺ displaying fast kinetics and AgNPs displaying slow kinetics. At last, we proposed a hypothesis to interpret the observed different behaviors between Ag⁺ and AgNPs when interacting with E. coli.     

Lithium adsorption on graphite from density functional theory calculations

The structural, energetic, and electronic properties of the Li/graphite system are studied through density functional theory (DFT) calculations using both the local spin density approximation (LSDA), and the gradient-corrected Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) approximation to the exchange-correlation energy. The calculations were performed using plane waves basis, and the electron-core interactions are described using pseudopotentials. We consider a disperse phase of the adsorbate comprising one Li atom for each 16 graphite surface cells, in a slab geometry. The close contact between the Li nucleus and the graphene plane results in a relatively large binding energy (larger than 1.1 eV). A detailed analysis of the electronic charge distribution, density difference distribution, and band structures indicates that one valence electron is entirely transferred from the atom to the surface, which gives rise to a strong interaction between the resulting lithium ion and the cloud of pi electrons in the substrate. We show that it is possible to explain the differences in the binding of Li, Na, and K adatoms on graphite considering the properties of the corresponding cation/aromatic complexes.     

Collision-induced dissociation and density functional theory studies of CO adsorption over zirconium oxide cluster ions: oxidative and nonoxidative adsorption

Zirconium oxide cluster cations and anions are produced by laser ablation and reacted with CO in a fast flow reactor. The CO adsorption products Zr(x)O(y)CO(+) are observed for most of the generated cationic clusters (Zr(x)O(y)(+) = Zr(2)O(5,6)(+), Zr(3)O(7,8)(+), Zr(4)O(9,10)(+)...) while only specific anionic systems (Zr(x)O(y)(-) = Zr(3)O(7)(-), Zr(4)O(9)(-)...) absorb CO to produce Zr(x)O(y)CO(-). To study how the CO molecule is adsorbed on the clusters, the Zr(x)O(y)CO(±) products are mass-selected by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) and collided with a crossed helium beam. The fragment ions from collision-induced dissociation (CID) are detected by a secondary TOF-MS. Loss of CO and CO(2) is observed upon the collision of the helium beam with Zr(x)O(y)CO(+) and Zr(x)O(2x+1)CO(-), respectively. Density functional theory calculations indicate that oxidative and nonoxidative adsorption of CO takes place over Zr(3)O(7)(-) and Zr(3)O(7)(+), respectively. This is consistent with the CID experiments.     

The adsorption behavior of p-hydroxybenzoic acid on a silver-coated filter paper by surface enhanced Raman scattering

On dried filter paper coated with silver nanoparticles, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA) were studied, and high-quality SERS spectra were obtained, indicating that the silver-coated filter paper is a highly SERS-active substrate. The analysis showed that the adsorption behavior of PHBA molecules on silver nanoparticles coated on filter paper was different from that in silver aqueous colloids. On the filter paper, it was found that the SERS spectra of PHBA changed with the proportion of PHBA molecules and silver nanoparticles, indicating that the adsorption behavior of PHBA molecules changed with the proportion. The probable reasons are given.     

Fourier transform infrared matrix and density functional theory study of the vibrational spectrum of the linear MgC3(-) anion

The linear MgC(3)(-) anion has been identified in the products from the dual Nd:YAG laser ablation of carbon and magnesium rods trapped in solid Ar at ～12 K. Measurements of (13)C isotopic shifts confirm the identification of the ν(1)(σ) vibrational fundamental at 1797.5 cm(-1). A second fundamental ν(2)(σ) has been tentatively identified at 1190.1 cm(-1). The results are in good agreement with the predictions of density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP functional with the 6-311+G(d) basis set. This is the first optical detection of the linear isomer of MgC(3)(-).     

Wetting behavior of spherical nanoparticles at a vapor-liquid interface: a density functional theory study

The wetting behavior of spherical nanoparticles at a vapor-liquid interface is investigated by using density functional theory, and the line tension calculation method is modified by analyzing the total energy of the vapor-liquid-particle equilibrium. Compared with the direct measurement data from simulation, the results reveal that the thermodynamically consistent Young's equation for planar interfaces is still applicable for high curvature surfaces in predicting a wide range of contact angles. The effect of the line tension on the contact angle is further explored, showing that the contact angles given by the original and modified Young's equations are nearly the same within the region of 60° < θ < 120°. Whereas the effect is considerable when the contact angle deviates from the region. The wetting property of nanoparticles in terms of the fluid-particle interaction strength, particle size, and temperature is also discussed. It is found that, for a certain particle, a moderate fluid-particle interaction strength would keep the particle stable at the interface in a wide temperature range.     

Studies of iridium nanoparticles using density functional theory calculations

The energetics and the electronic and magnetic properties of iridium nanoparticles in the range of 2-64 atoms were investigated using density functional theory calculations. A variety of different geometric configurations were studied, including planar, three-dimensional, nanowire, and single-walled nanotube. The binding energy per atom increases with size and dimensionality from 2.53 eV/atom for the iridium dimer to 6.09 eV/atom for the 64-atom cluster. The most stable geometry is planar until four atoms are reached and three-dimensional thereafter. The simple cubic structure is the most stable geometric building block until a strikingly large 48-atom cluster, when the most stable geometry transitions to face-centered cubic, as found in the bulk metal. The strong preference for cubic structure among small clusters demonstrates their rigidity. This result indicates that iridium nanoparticles intrinsically do not favor the coalescence process. Nanowires formed from linear atomic chains of up to 4-atom rings were studied, and the wires formed from 4-atom rings were extremely stable. Single-walled nanotubes were also studied. These nanotubes were formed by stacking 5- and 6-atom rings to form a tube. The ring stacking with each atom directly above the previous atom is more stable than if the alternate rings are rotated.     

Acetone adsorption on ice investigated by X-ray spectroscopy and density functional theory

Using a combination of X-ray photoemission and near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) as well as density-functional theory (DFT), we have investigated the adsorption of acetone on ice in the temperature range from 218 to 245 K. The adsorption enthalpy determined from experiment (45 kJ mol(-1)) agrees well with the adsorption energy predicted by theory (41 to 44 kJ mol(-1)). Oxygen K-edge NEXAFS spectra indicate that the presence of acetone at the ice surface does not induce the formation of a pre-melted layer at temperatures up to 243 K. DFT calculations show that the energetically most favored adsorption geometry for acetone on ice is with the molecular plane almost parallel to the surface.     

Understanding the adsorption mechanism of Ni(II) on graphene oxides by batch experiments and density functional theory studies

The graphene oxides(GOs) have attracted multidisciplinary study because of their special physicochemical properties. The high surface area and large amounts of oxygen-containing functional groups make GOs suitable materials for the efficient elimination of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Herein the sorption of Ni(II) on GOs was studied using batch experiments, and the results showed that the sorption of Ni(II) is strongly dependent on p H and ionic strength at pH8, and independent of ionic strength at pH8. The sorption of Ni(II) is mainly dominated by outer-sphere surface complexation and ion exchange at low p H, and by inner-sphere surface complexation at high p H. The interaction of Ni(II) with GOs was also investigated by theoretical density functional theory(DFT) calculations, and the results show that the sorption of Ni(II) on GOs is mainly attributed to the –COH and –COC groups and the DFT calculations show that Ni(II) forms stable GO_Ni_triplet structure with the binding energy of -39.44 kcal/mol, which is in good agreement with the batch sorption experimental results. The results are important for the application of GOs as adsorbents in the efficient removal of Ni(II) from wastewater in environmental pollution cleanup.     

Low-frequency near-infrared Fourier transform Raman studies of ellipticines and deoxyribose nucleic acid

Nucleotides and nucleosides have been studied in the low-frequency region through a comparison of the performance between near-infrared Fourier transform Raman techniques and Ar⁺-excitation Raman spectroscopy. This allowed us to evaluate the influence of the filter cut-off on the low-frequency bands of the Fourier transform Raman spectra. This assessment was then applied to a study of the low-frequency bands of two samples of deoxyribose nucleic acid and five ellipticines, whose interaction with deoxyribose nucleic acid could be of importance in their use as anti-cancer drugs. In order to assign the low-frequency bands of ellipticines and understand the dynamical ring deformations, a force constant calculation was performed.     

Fourier transform infrared observation and density functional theory study of the AlC3 and AlC3Al linear chains trapped in solid Ar

The vibrational spectra of linear AlC(3) and AlC(3)Al, formed by trapping the products of the dual laser evaporation of aluminum and carbon rods in solid Ar at approximately 10 K, were observed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements of (13)C isotopic shifts are in good agreement with the predictions of density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP6-311+G(3df) calculations, enabling the first assignments of the nu(3)(sigma(u)) and nu(4)(sigma(u)) fundamentals of ((3)Sigma(g) (+)) linear AlC(3)Al at 1624.0 and 528.3 cm(-1), respectively, and the nu(2)(sigma) vibrational fundamental of ((2)Pi) linear AlC(3) at 1210.9 cm(-1).     

苯酚分子拉曼光谱的密度泛函理论研究

采用B3LYP杂化泛函,6-31++G(d,p)基组,对苯酚分子的结构进行了优化.通过频率计算,获得了苯酚分子的拉曼光谱,并利用势能函数分布(PED)对拉曼光谱进行了指认.绘制了苯酚分子的静电势分布图,讨论了苯酚分子发生化学反应的位置,同时计算了HOMO-LUMO的能级差.通过TD-DFT计算获得了苯酚分子的吸收光谱和激发态.     

Ab initio and density functional theory based studies on collagen triplets

An understanding of the amino acid sequence dependent stability of polypeptides is of renowned interest to biophysicists and biochemists, in order to identify the nature of forces that stabilize the three-dimensional structure of proteins. In this study, the role of various collagen triplets influencing the stability of collagen has been addressed. It is found from this study that proline can stabilize the collagen triplet only when other residues are also in the polyproline II conformation. Solvation studies of various triplets indicate that the presence of polar residues increases the free energy of solvation. Especially the triplets containing arginine residues displays a higher solvation free energy. The chemical hardness of all the triplets in collagen-like conformation has been found to be higher than that in the extended conformation. Studies on Gly–X–Y, Gly–X–Hyp, and Gly–Pro–Y triplets confirm that there will be local variations in the stability of collagen along the entire sequence.     

Fourier transform infrared and raman spectra, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of terephthalic acid and related compounds

The Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectra of solid terephthalic acid, p-C6H4(COOH)2, have been recorded, and the Fourier transform Raman spectra for the terephthalate anion were measured. The wavenumbers for the band positions have been calculated in order to assign them. Moller-Plesset (MP2) and Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out with Huzinaga-Dunning basis sets (DZV). Also, a normal coordinate analysis through the Wilson-El'yashevich method was performed. The differences between the calculated ab initio spectra and the spectra of the solid phase have been interpreted with respect to the different C(2h) and C(i) local symmetry in the gas and in the solid phase, respectively, and considering also the formation of long-chains of terephthalic acid in the solid phase. In spite to the absence of experimental data for the cis conformation, calculations have been carried out and structural parameters and infrared intensities have been evaluated for the trans and cis conformations of terephthalic acid.     

Understanding the dehydrogenation mechanism over iron nanoparticles catalysts based on density functional theory

The conversion of chemical feedstock materials into high value-added products accompanied with dehydrogenation is of great value in the chemical industry.However,the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction is inhibited by a limited number of expensive noble metal catalysts and lacks understanding of dehydrogenation mechanism.Here,we report the use of heterogeneous non-noble metal iron nanoparticles(NPs) incorporated mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon to investigate the dehydrogenation mechanism based on experiment observation and density functional theory(DFT) method.Fe NPs catalyst displays excellent performance in the dehydrogenation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline(THQ)with 100% selectivity and 100% conversion for 10-12 h at room temperature.The calculated adsorption energy implies that THQ prefers to adsorb on Fe NPs as compared with absence of Fe NPs.What is more,the energy barrier of transition state is relatively low,illustrating the dehydrogenation is feasible.This work provides an atomic scale mechanism guidance for the catalytic dehydrogenation reaction and points out the direction for the design of new catalysts.     

Study of structural and thermodynamic parameters of adsorption layers using density functional theory. Local density and adsorption isotherms on spherical surfaces

Local density profiles in adsorption layers of Lennard-Jones fluids on two-dimensional adsorbents with spherical geometry and isotherms of excess (Gibbs) adsorption have been calculated using the classical density functional theory (approximations with weighting coefficients). The local density profiles have been found in hydrogen adsorption layers on C₆₀, C₂₄₀, and C₅₄₀ fullerene molecules. The calculations have been performed for both subcritical and supercritical temperature ranges. It has been shown that, at a pressure of 10 MPa and a temperature of 77 K, the gravimetric (mass) hydrogen density on C₆₀ fullerene is 7.6 wt %, which is in good agreement with the results of molecular dynamics simulation and experimental data. It has also been established that the gravimetric hydrogen density on C₆₀ fullerene is higher than that on C₂₄₀ and C₅₄₀ fullerenes, being comparable with its value in a slitlike pore of a carbon adsorbent.