Optoelectronic Properties of Carbon Nanorings: Excitonic Effects from Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory

The electronic structure and size-scaling of optoelectronic properties in cycloparaphenylene carbon nanorings are investigated using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The TDDFT calculations on these molecular nanostructures indicate that the lowest excitation energy surprisingly becomes larger as the carbon nanoring size is increased, in contradiction with typical quantum confinement effects. In order to understand their unusual electronic properties, I performed an extensive investigation of excitonic effects by analyzing electron-hole transition density matrices and exciton binding energies as a function of size in these nanoring systems. The transition density matrices allow a global view of electronic coherence during an electronic excitation, and the exciton binding energies give a quantitative measure of electron-hole interaction energies in the nanorings. Based on overall trends in exciton binding energies and their spatial delocalization, I find that excitonic effects play a vital role in understanding the unique photoinduced dynamics in these carbon nanoring systems.     

Single-step charge transport through DNA over long distances

Quantum yields for charge transport across adenine tracts of increasing length have been measured by monitoring hole transport in synthetic oligonucleotides between photoexcited 2-aminopurine, a fluorescent analogue of adenine, and N(2)-cyclopropyl guanine. Using fluorescence quenching, a measure of hole injection, and hole trapping by the cyclopropyl guanine derivative, we separate the individual contributions of single- and multistep channels to DNA charge transport and find that with 7 or 8 intervening adenines the charge transport is a coherent, single-step process. Moreover, a transition occurs from multistep to single-step charge transport with increasing donor/acceptor separation, opposite to that generally observed in molecular wires. These results establish that coherent transport through DNA occurs preferentially across 10 base pairs, favored by delocalization over a full turn of the helix.     

Adsorption studies of dimethyl and methyl-ethyl ester molecules on silicene nanoring: Application of DFT study

The electronic and adsorption properties of dimethyl and methyl-ethyl ester molecules on a silicene nanoring (SiNR) are studied using first-principles calculations. The adsorption properties of dimethyl and methyl-ethyl ester molecules on the surface of a silicene nanoring is investigated in terms of density of states spectrum, adsorption energy, average energy gap variation, Mulliken charge and Bader charge transfer. The structural stability of the SiNR is ensured using formation energy. The variation in the electron density and energy gap is noticed upon adsorption of dimethyl and methyl-ethyl ester molecules in the SiNR base material compared with its isolated counterpart. The highlights of the present work are silicene nanoring is used as a base material for ester molecule adsorption. The adsorption behavior of ester molecules is studied using energy band structure. The DOS spectrum confirms the transfer of electrons between the SiNR and ester molecules. The findings suggest that a SiNR can be used as a base material for the detection of dimethyl and methyl-ethyl ester molecules.     

A phase-selective,bis-urea organogelator with a curved bis-naphthalene core

A phase-selective,bis-urea organogelator with a curved bis-naphthalene core was synthesized and characterized.This gelator is capable of gelating a variety of hydrocarbons and oils.The resulting gels have been characterized by rheology,SEM,and molecular modelling.The gelator can be applied in the powder form for the recovery of a thin layer of petrol oil spill in water.     

Ultrafast delocalization of excitation in synthetic light-harvesting nanorings

Rings of chlorophyll molecules harvest sunlight remarkably efficiently during photosynthesis in purple bacteria. The key to their efficiency lies in their highly delocalized excited states that allow for ultrafast energy migration. Here we show that a family of synthetic nanorings mimic the ultrafast energy transfer and delocalization observed in nature. π-Conjugated nanorings with diameters of up to 10 nm, consisting of up to 24 porphyrin units, are found to exhibit excitation delocalization within the first 200 fs of light absorption. Transitions from the first singlet excited state of the circular nanorings are dipole-forbidden as a result of symmetry constraints, but these selection rules can be lifted through static and dynamic distortions of the rings. The increase in the radiative emission rate in the larger nanorings correlates with an increase in static disorder expected from Monte Carlo simulations. For highly symmetric rings, the radiative rate is found to increase with increasing temperature. Although this type of thermally activated superradiance has been theoretically predicted in circular chromophore arrays, it has not previously been observed in any natural or synthetic systems. As expected, the activation energy for emission increases when a nanoring is fixed in a circular conformation by coordination to a radial template. These nanorings offer extended chromophores with high excitation delocalization that is remarkably stable against thermally induced disorder. Such findings open new opportunities for exploring coherence effects in nanometer molecular rings and for implementing these biomimetic light-harvesters in man-made devices.     

Quantum mechanical and spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 13C, 1H and UV) investigations of antiepileptic drug Ethosuximide

The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) and Fourier Transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectra of antiepileptic drug Ethosuximide (ETX) have been recorded and analyzed. In addition, the IR spectra in CCl(4) at various concentrations of ETX are also recorded. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies have been investigated with the help of Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. The (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated by the Gauge Including Atomic Orbital (GIAO) method. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions and charge delocalization has been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The results show that charge in electron density (ED) in the σ* and π* antibonding orbitals and second order delocalization energies E(2) confirms the occurrence of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. UV-vis spectrum of the compound was recorded and the electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies, were performed by Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) approach. Finally the calculation results were applied to simulate infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound which showed good agreement with observed spectra.     

Dynamic Monte Carlo modeling of exciton dissociation in organic donor-acceptor solar cells

A general dynamic Monte Carlo model for exciton dissociation at a donor-acceptor interface that includes exciton delocalization and hot charge separation is developed to model the experimental behavior observed for the poly(3-hexylthiophene):fullerene system and predict the theoretical performance of future materials systems. The presence of delocalized excitons and the direct formation of separated charge pairs has been recently measured by transient photo-induced absorption experiments and has been proposed to facilitate charge separation. The excess energy of the exciton dissociation process has also been observed to have a strong correlation with the charge separation yield for a series of thiophene based polymer:fullerene systems, suggesting that a hot charge separation process is also occurring. Hot charge separation has been previously theorized as a cause for highly efficient charge separation. However, a detailed model for this process has not been implemented and tested. Here, both conceptual models are implemented into a dynamic Monte Carlo simulation and tested using a simple bilayer donor-acceptor system. We find that exciton delocalization can account for a significant reduction in geminate recombination when compared to the traditional, bound polaron pair model. In addition, the hot charge separation process could further reduce the geminate recombination, but only if the hot charge mobility is several orders of magnitude larger than the standard charge mobility.     

Covalent Template-Directed Synthesis of a Spoked 18-Porphyrin Nanoring**

Rings of porphyrins mimic natural light-harvesting chlorophyll arrays and offer insights into electronic delocalization, providing a motivation for creating larger nanorings with closely spaced porphyrin units. Here, we demonstrate the first synthesis of a macrocycle consisting entirely of 5,15-linked porphyrins. This porphyrin octadecamer was constructed using a covalent six-armed template, made by cobalt-catalyzed cyclotrimerization of an H-shaped tolan with porphyrin trimer ends. The porphyrins around the circumference of the nanoring were linked together by intramolecular oxidative meso-meso coupling and partial β-β fusion, to give a nanoring consisting of six edge-fused zinc(II) porphyrin dimer units and six un-fused nickel(II) porphyrins. STM imaging on a gold surface confirms the size and shape of the spoked 18-porphyrin nanoring (calculated diameter: 4.7 nm).     

Characterization of the solvation and transport of the hydrated proton in the perfluorosulfonic acid membrane nafion

The solvation and transport properties of the sulfonate-hydronium ion pair have been studied in hydrated Nafion through molecular dynamics simulation. Explicit proton and charge delocalization of the excess proton transport, via the Grotthuss hopping mechanism, were treated using the self-consistent multistate empirical valence bond (SCI-MS-EVB) method. The nature of the sulfonate-hydronium ion pair was characterized through analysis of free-energy profiles. It was found that, in general, the excess proton is solvated between two water molecules of a Zundel moiety while in the contact ion pair position, but then it transitions to an Eigen-like configuration in the solvent-separated pair position. Furthermore, the positive charge associated with the excess proton passes between the contact and solvent-separated ion pair positions through the Grotthuss mechanism rather than simple vehicular diffusion. The total proton diffusion was decomposed into vehicular and Grotthuss components and were found to be of the same relative magnitude, but with a strong negative correlation resulting in a smaller overall diffusion. Correlated motions between the ion pair were examined through the distinct portion of the van Hove correlation function, and a characteristic time scale of approximately 425 ps was observed. Additionally, the association of the hydrated proton with the hydrophobic polymer backbone suggests its amphiphile-like behavior (see Acc. Chem. Res. 2006, 39, 143; Phys. Rev. 1954, 95, 249; J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 123, 084309).     

Investigation of two-photon absorption properties in branched alkene and alkyne chromophores

Novel alkene and alkyne branched structures have been synthesized, and their two-photon absorption (2PA) properties are reported. This series of alkene and alkyne trimer systems tests the mechanistic approach for enhancing the 2PA process which is usually dictated by the pi-bridging, delocalization length, and corresponding charge transfer on the 2PA cross sections. The results suggest that alkene branched systems have higher 2PA cross sections. While steady-state absorption and emission measurements were not successful in predicting the observed trend of 2PA cross sections, time-resolved measurements have explained the trends observed. It was found that, upon photoexcitation, there is an ultrafast charge localization to an intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) state, followed by the presence of a solvent and conformationally relaxed ICT state in these branched systems.     

Quantum mechanical study of the structure and spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, 13C, 1H and UV), first order hyperpolarizabilities, NBO and TD-DFT analysis of the 4-methyl-2-cyanobiphenyl

The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and FT-Raman of 4-methyl-2-cyanobiphenyl (4M2CBP) have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies have been investigated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) method. The assignments of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the help of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology (SQMFF). The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated by the Gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) method. The first order hyperpolarizability (β0) of this novel molecular system and related properties (β, α0 and Δα) of 4M2CBP are calculated using HF/6-311G(d,p) method on the finite-field approach. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions, charge delocalization have been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The results show that charge in electron density (ED) in the σ* and π* antibonding orbitals and second order delocalization energies (E2) confirms the occurrence of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) within the molecule. UV-vis spectrum of the compound was recorded and the electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies, were performed by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) approach. Finally the calculations results were applied to simulated infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound which show good agreement with observed spectra.     

Delocalization of positive charge in π-stacked multi-benzene rings in multilayered cyclophanes

In the present study, delocalization of a positive charge in π-stacked multi-benzene rings in multilayered para- and meta-cyclophanes, in which benzene rings are connected by propyl chains to form a chromophore array with the face-to-face structure, was investigated by means of transient absorption spectroscopy during the pulse radiolysis using dichloroethane as a solvent. The local excitation and charge resonance (CR) bands were successfully observed. It was revealed that the CR band shifted to the longer wavelength side with the number of the benzene rings. The stabilization energy estimated from the peak position of the CR band showed the efficient charge delocalization over the cyclophanes. Furthermore, the CR bands showed the slight spectral change attributable to the change in distribution of the conformers. The substantially long lifetime of the CR band can be explained on the basis of the smaller charge distribution on the outer layers of the multilayered cyclophanes.     

Methano[10]annulene revisited: extended delocalization through conjugated polymers bearing larger Hückel aromatics

A comparative study of conjugated polymers derived from the two 10 pi electron circuits of naphthalene and methano[10]annulene is presented. The annulene pi topology allows for a greater degree of intrapolymer charge delocalization, a key structural parameter for enhancing the performance of organic semiconductors. Molecular design and synthesis based upon unusual aromatic cores will enable facile transport properties that would not ordinarily be realized under the 6 pi electron aromatic paradigm.     

Electronic promotion effect of double proton transfer on conduction of DNA through improvement of transverse electronic communication of base pairs

The effect of double proton transfer (DPT) on charge migration of DNA was investigated by the nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with density functional theory. The results revealed that DPT not only lowers ionization potentials, but also improves the delocalization of the localized π-orbitals at each base moiety through adjusting energy levels and spatial distributions of their molecular orbitals. Furthermore, DPT leads to both the strengthening of the second-order interactions of the Watson-Crick H-bond zones, and the promotion of the charge transfer transitions between two pairing bases in the UV absorption spectra. Electronic transport calculations indicated that DPT can improve the charge migration along the DNA duplex for specific sequences through enhancing transverse base-to-base electronic communication. This work will provide a new insight into the understanding of DNA charge conduction which can be electronically promoted or regulated by DPT.     

Monte Carlo simulation based on dynamic disorder model in organic semiconductors: from coherent to incoherent transport

The dynamic disorder model for charge carrier transport in organic semiconductors has been extensively studied in recent years. Although it is successful on determining the value of bandlike mobility in the organic crystalline materials, the incoherent hopping, the typical transport characteristic in amorphous molecular semiconductors, cannot be described. In this work, the decoherence process is taken into account via a phenomenological parameter, say, decoherence time, and the projective and Monte Carlo method are applied for this model to determine the waiting time and thus the diffusion coefficient. It is obtained that the type of transport is changed from coherent to incoherent with a sufficiently short decoherence time, which indicates the essential role of decoherence time in determining the type of transport in organics. We have also discussed the spatial extent of carriers for different decoherence time, and the transition from delocalization (carrier resides in about 10 molecules) to localization is observed. Based on the experimental results of spatial extent, we estimate that the decoherence time in pentacene has the order of 1 ps. Furthermore, the dependence of diffusion coefficient on decoherence time is also investigated, and corresponding experiments are discussed.     

密度泛函理论研究边链对苯并菲电荷传输的影响

采用密度泛函理论在B3LYP/6-31G**水平上,根据电子转移的半经典模型对含有炔基的不同软链的苯并菲化合物分子的电荷传输性质进行研究。研究表明,所有目标化合物均有利于苯并菲的电荷传输。其中,直接在苯并菲刚性环上引入酰胺基（-CO-NH-）有利于提高正电荷的传输,而间隔基为酯基的单取代化合物的正负电荷传输性质均比较良好。在苯并菲上单取代的分子明显比其双取代、三取代的分子正电荷传输性质好。     

Electrostatic characteristics of nanostructures investigated using electric force microscopy

Nanosized materials possess many interesting physical and chemical properties that differ significantly from their macroscopic counterparts. Understanding the size- and shape-dependent properties of nanostructures are of great value to rational design of nanomaterials with desired functionality. Electric force microscopy (EFM) and its variations offer unique opportunities to deepen our insights into the electrical characteristics of nanostructures. In this paper, we review recent progress of this versatile technique and its applications in studying the electrical properties of nanosized materials. A variety of important issues in EFM experimentation and theoretical modeling are discussed, with an emphasis on the ongoing efforts to improve the precision in quantitative measurements of charge density and dielectric properties of nanostructures.     

电泳法制备TiO_2纳米管/纳米颗粒复合薄膜的电化学阻抗谱分析(英文)

由于一维(1D)氧化钛纳米结构具有提高染料敏化太阳能电池(DSCs)中的电子传输性能从而进一步提高电池性能的特性,该领域吸引了越来越多研究者的关注.但是一维氧化钛纳米结构如何影响电子传输性能却少有报道.本研究利用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)分析来探索氧化钛纳米颗粒和纳米管复合薄膜的电子传输特性.使用两种不同尺寸(25和100nm)的纳米颗粒和纳米管作为原料,采用电泳沉积方法制备了氧化钛复合薄膜并研究了原料的组成对染料敏化电池的影响以获得最佳的组成.研究结果表明,在大颗粒的质量分数低于20%时,大颗粒的掺入有利于改善氧化钛薄膜的电子传递与电池性能.与完全由颗粒组成的薄膜相比,纳米管的加入有利于电子在氧化钛薄膜里的传输.纳米管、100nm颗粒及25nm颗粒的最佳质量比例为20:16:64.     

Robust charge transport in DNA double crossover assemblies

BACKGROUND: Multiple-stranded DNA assemblies, encoded by sequence, have been constructed in an effort to self-assemble nanodevices of defined molecular architecture. Double-helical DNA has been probed also as a molecular medium for charge transport. Conductivity studies suggest that DNA displays semiconductor properties, whereas biochemical studies have shown that oxidative damage to B-DNA at the 5'-G of a 5'-GG-3' doublet can occur by charge transport through DNA up to 20 nm from a photo-excited metallointercalator. The possible application of DNA assemblies, in particular double crossover (DX) molecules, in electrical nanodevices prompted the design of a DNA DX assembly with oxidatively sensitive guanine moieties and a tethered rhodium photo-oxidant strategically placed to probe charge transport. RESULTS: DX assemblies support long-range charge transport selectively down the base stack bearing the intercalated photo-oxidant. Despite tight packing, no electron transfer (ET) crossover to the adjacent base stack is observed. Moreover, the base stack of a DX assembly is well-coupled and less susceptible than duplex DNA to stacking perturbations. Introducing a double mismatch along the path for charge transport entirely disrupts long-range ET in duplex DNA, but only marginally decreases it in the analogous stack within DX molecules. CONCLUSIONS: The path for charge transport in a DX DNA assembly is determined directly by base stacking. As a result, the two closely packed stacks within this assembly are electronically insulated from one another. Therefore, DX DNA assemblies may serve as robust, insulated conduits for charge transport in nanoscale devices.     

The effect of diphenylamine on the electronic, optical, and charge transport properties of BTD-based derivative: Insights from theory

Theoretical investigations have been performed to explore the variation in electronic,optical,and charge transport properties upon the change of the chemical composition along the backbone in 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole(BTD)-based derivative.Narrow difference between hole and electron transportations with the charge hopping model indicates studied BTD-based derivative can be used as good ambipolar transport material in organic light-emitting diodes.