Potential energy of adsorption of the sphere-like molecules CH4, C(CH3)4 and CCl4 on graphite

Summary Theoretical calculations of the potential energy of the dispersion interaction of sphere-like molecules of methane, neopentane, and carbon tetrachloride with the basal plane of the graphite lattice have shown that it is a good idea to divide the neopentane molecule into links, while it is better to divide the carbon tetrachloride molecule, which contains large chlorine atoms, into individual atoms.     

The infrared spectrum of cyclohexane adsorbed on Pt(111)

The reflection—absorption infrared spectrum of cyclohexane adsorbed on Pt(111) has been recorded using a Fourier Transform spectrometer. The spectrum at 150 K shows the broad, low-frequency CH stretching band previously revealed by electron energy loss spectroscopy and also three sharper bands attributed to vibrational modes involving the relatively unperturbed hydrogens. At 95 K a second adsorbed phase is formed in which the perturbation of the molecule is reduced. Continued exposure leads to multilayer formation. Spectra of adsorbed monolayers of the related compounds n-hexane, cyclopentane and 2,2-dimethylpropane (neopentane) showed much less evidence for perturbation of CH bonds.     

Adsorption of tetramethylsilane molecules on the basal face of graphite

The thermodynamic adsorption characteristics of tetramethylsilane (TMS) molecules on graphitized carbon black (GCB) were for the first time determined experimentally and by molecular statistics methods. The potential function parameters of pair molecular interactions (φ(r)) between Si and C atoms on the basal face of graphite were calculated in the atom-atom approximation of the semiempirical molecular-statistical theory of adsorption. The contributions of Si and C atoms to thermodynamic adsorption characteristics are compared for the example of nonspecific adsorption of TMS and isostructural neopentane molecules on the flat surface of GCB.     

The effect of burn-off on the adsorption of N<Subscript>2</Subscript> and Ar on a natural graphite

Adsorption-desorption isotherms of N₂ and Ar were measured at 77 K using samples of graphite that were partially burned off at 600 °C in O₂ gas saturated with water vapor at 25 °C. The amounts of adsorbed N₂ and Ar dropped drastically as the degree of burn-off increased. The isotherms all showed a steep rise, or step, in the amounts of adsorbed N₂ and Ar at a relative pressure of around 0.4. Moreover, the hysteresis was much narrower after burn-off than before. These anomalies can be explained by the presence of functional groups on the graphite that produce H₂O and CO₂ upon decomposition and in terms of pores on the surface of the graphite.     

Molecular and electronic structures and magnetic properties of multilayer graphene nanoclusters and their changes under the influence of adsorbed molecules

The results of investigations of the structures and properties of multilayer graphene nano-clusters (nanographites), structural blocks of activated carbon fibers, and their changes under the influence of adsorbed molecules are presented. The presence of specific edge p-electron-ic states in the nanographites and a reversible decrease in their density at the Fermi level upon the interaction of the graphite nanoparticles with adsorbed molecules of oxygen, chlorine, and water were found. The explanation of the discovered effect was proposed in the terms of the model of spin splitting of edge p-electronic states initiated by the transfer of a small fraction of the electron density from the nanographites to adsorbed molecules. The change in the sign of the temperature coefficient of current carrier spin relaxation rate in the presence of adsorbates can be accounted for by their interaction with edge spin-split (magnetically ordered) states. The preservation of peripheral p-electronic states of the nanographites of free (dangling) s-orbitals of edge carbon atoms at saturation with chlorine was substantiated.     

Hydrophobic interactions in presence of osmolytes urea and trimethylamine-N-oxide

Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to study the influences of two naturally occurring osmolytes, urea, and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) on the hydrophobic interactions between neopentane molecules. In this study, we used two different models of neopentane: One is of single united site (UA) and another contains five-sites. We observe that, these two neopentane models behave differently in pure water as well as solutions containing osmolytes. Presence of urea molecules increases the stability of solvent-separated state for five-site model, whereas osmolytes have negligible effect in regard to clustering of UA model of neopentane. For both models, dehydration of neopentane and preferential solvation of it by urea and TMAO over water molecules are also observed. We also find the collapse of the second-shell of water by urea and water structure enhancement by TMAO. The orientational distributions of water molecules around different layers of neopentane were also calculated and we find that orientation of water molecules near to hydrophobic moiety is anisotropic and osmolytes have negligible effect on it. We also observe osmolyte-induced water-water hydrogen bond life time increase in the hydration shell of neopentane as well as in the subsequent water layers.     

Thermally Induced Transient Activity Changes of Plasmin Adsorbed onto Bare and Fibrinogen-Modified Graphite and Glassy Carbon Surfaces

The occurrence of a thermally induced first-order transition affecting the amidolytic activity of plasmin adsorbed onto bare and protein-modified graphite and glassy carbon was demonstrated in the 10-45 degrees C temperature range in the presence of a chromogenic substrate. Modification of the surfaces was achieved upon spontaneous adsorption of plasmin to surfaces bearing a coating of fibrinogen, whether electrochemically oxidized or not. The amount of fibrinogen adsorbed at graphite was determined by ELISA. The kinetics of the transition was characterized by its starting temperature (T(c)), which was between 14 and 19 degrees C, the first-order rate constant, and the activation energy E(a) deduced from Arrhenius plots. Results showed the absence of a correlation between T(c), E(a), and contact angle variations. It is therefore likely that these variables address separate steps in a complex pathway of reactions undergone by plasmin under mild thermal constraints. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Radiation-Induced Polymerization of Ethyl Vinyl Ether in n-Pentane and Neopentane

The radiation-induced polymerization of ethyl vinyl ether was studied in n-pentane and neopentane solutions under super-dry conditions. The free ion yields of these solvents are reported to be 0.16 and 1.0, respectively. The rate of polymerization in neopentane was about twice as fast as in n-pentane. The dose-rate dependence of the rate of polymerization was found to be nearly 0.50 in both solutions. It seems clear that the free solvent ions do, indeed contribute to the initiation. Regenerative chain transfer to monomer played a more important role in n-pentane than in neopentane as revealed by the molecular weight of the polymers.     

The effect of aqueous solutions of trimethylamine-N-oxide on pressure induced modifications of hydrophobic interactions

To understand the mechanism of protein protection by the osmolyte trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) at high pressure, using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, solvation of hydrophobic group is probed in aqueous solutions of TMAO over a wide range of pressures relevant to protein denaturation. The hydrophobic solute considered in this study is neopentane which is a considerably large molecule. The concentrations of TMAO range from 0 to 4 M and for each TMAO concentration, simulations are performed at five different pressures ranging from 1 atm to 8000 atm. Potentials of mean force are calculated and the relative stability of solvent-separated state over the associated state of hydrophobic solute are estimated. Results suggest that high pressure reduces association of hydrophobic solutes. From computations of site-site radial distribution function followed by analysis of coordination number, it is found that water molecules are tightly packed around the nonpolar particle at high pressure and the hydration number increases with increasing pressure. On the other hand, neopentane interacts preferentially with TMAO over water and although hydration of neopentane reduces in presence of this osmolyte, TMAO does not show any tendency to prevent the pressure-induced dispersion of neopentane moieties. It is also observed that TMAO molecules prefer a side-on orientation near the neopentane surface, allowing its oxygen atom to form favorable hydrogen bonds with water while maintaining some hydrophobic contacts with neopentane. Analysis of hydrogen-bond properties and solvation characteristics of TMAO reveals that TMAO can form hydrogen bonds with water and it reduces the identical nearest neighbor water molecules caused by high hydrostatic pressures. Moreover, TMAO enhances life-time of water-water hydrogen bonds and makes these hydrogen bonds more attractive. Implication of these results for counteracting effect of TMAO against protein denaturation at high pressures are discussed.     

Electronic structure of saturated hydrocarbons in the semi-empirical equivalent orbital method

The problem of obtaining the matrix elements of Hartree-Fock Hamiltonians for alkanes using the EO method is considered. It has been shown that the data on the electronic structure of diamond together witht ₁/e splitting in the neopentane photoelectron spectrum are helpful to produce such EO method parameter scale which involves even “through space” interactions. In terms of the EO method the photoelectron spectra of propane, butane, isobutane, and neopentane are interpreted. The valence band structure of polyethylene in analytical form is obtained.     

Effect of graphite features on the properties of metal-organic framework/graphite hybrid materials prepared using an in situ process

Metal-organic framework (MOF)/graphite hybrid materials were prepared using an in situ process. Graphites with various chemical and physical features were used, and HKUST-1 was selected as the MOF component. The samples (parent materials and hybrid materials) were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen sorption, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Then they were tested as ammonia adsorbents in dynamic conditions. The results indicate that the functionalization of graphite is important to build the hybrid materials with synergistic properties. The lack of functional groups on graphite results in the formation of a simple physical mixture. Besides the surface chemistry of the graphitic component, the physical parameters (porosity and size of flakes) also seem to influence the formation of the hybrid materials. It is observed that the graphite particles disturb the formation of HKUST-1 and induce a different crystal morphology (more defects and increased surface roughness) than the one observed when MOF is formed in the absence of a substrate. The latter behavior causes less ammonia to be adsorbed on the hybrid materials than is expected for the simple physical mixture of HKUST-1 and graphite. The MOF structure collapses (in HKUST-1 and the hybrid materials) upon ammonia adsorption and leads to the formation of new species.     

O2 reduction on graphite and nitrogen-doped graphite: experiment and theory

An experimental and theoretical study of electroreduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide is presented. The experimental measurements of nitrided Ketjenblack indicated an onset potential for reduction of approximately 0.5 V (SHE) compared to the onset potential of 0.2 V observed for untreated carbon. Quantum calculations on cluster models of nitrided and un-nitrided graphite sheets show that carbon radical sites formed adjacent to substitutional N in graphite are active for O2 electroreduction to H2O2 via and adsorbed OOH intermediate. The weak catalytic effect of untreated carbon is attributed to weaker bonding of OOH to the H atom-terminated graphite edges. Substitutional N atoms that are far from graphite sheet edges will be active, and those that are close to the edges will be less active. Interference from electrochemical reduction of H atoms on the reactive sites is considered, and it is shown that in the potential range of H2O2 formation the reactive sites are not blocked by adsorbed H atoms.     

Thermodynamic investigation of the adsorption of amides on graphite from their liquids and binary mixtures

We report a thermodynamic investigation of the adsorption of saturated and unsaturated (cis- and trans-) alkyl amides onto the surface of graphite from their pure liquids and from binary mixtures. We identify the formation of solid monolayers of the amides at temperatures when the bulk materials are liquid. The extent of this presolidification is much more extensive than other related materials, indicating that these amide layers are significantly more stable. The monolayer stability is found to be greatest for saturated amides. In addition, the stability of unsaturated amides is extremely sensitive to the location of the double bonds in the alkyl chain of the molecules, and trans isomers are found to be more stable than cis. We also address the preferential adsorption and mixing behavior of amide mixtures and amides mixed with other species coadsorbed onto graphite from binary solution. The results indicate that the amide molecules appear to be adsorbed with their principal axis parallel to the graphite surface and that amides are found to be strongly preferentially adsorbed with respect to alkanes. Interestingly the amides appear to mix rather better than might have been expected. There is also evidence of a number of other transitions in the adsorbates.     

Synthesis of ultrathin polymer films by self assembly

Recent progresses in the self assembly of ultrathin polymer films are described. Bilayer membranes of polymeric hydrogen-bond networks are formed in water. Two-dimensional networks of organic and inorganic polymers are formed in cast films of synthetic bilayer membranes to give stable multilayer films upon removal of the matrices. The monolayer at the air-water interface constitutes suitable templates for 2D polymer networks, and it may be either removed or part of the 2D film. Successive adsorption of polycations and polyanions under carefully controlled conditions produces layered polyion complexes in the stepwise manner. Various polymer chains are epitaxially adsorbed onto graphite. All these results indicate that molecularly defined 2D polymer structures are readily available.     

Van der waals interactions and decrease of the rotational barrier of methyl-sized rotators: a theoretical study

Rotational barriers of methyl-sized molecular rotators are investigated theoretically using ab initio and empirical force field calculations in molecular models simulating various environmental conditions experienced by the molecular rotors. Calculations on neopentane surrounded by methyl groups suggest that the neopentane's methyl rotational potential energy barrier can be reduced by up to an order of magnitude by locating satellite functional groups around the rotator at a geometry that destabilizes the staggered conformation of the rotator through van der Waals repulsive interactions and reduces the staggered/eclipsed relative energy difference. Molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics calculations indicate that this barrier-reducing geometry can also be found in molecular rotators surface mounted on graphite surfaces or carbon nanotube models. In these models, molecular dynamics simulations show that the rotation of methyl-sized functional groups can be catalyzed by van der Waals interactions, thus making very rigid rotators become thermally activated at room temperature. These results are discussed in the context of design of nanostructures and use of methyl groups as markers for microenvironmental conditions.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of the self-assembly of carboxylic esters on graphite: linear distortion and multiple adsorption structures

Self-assembled monolayers of carboxylic esters (stearic acid palmityl ester, lauric acid palmityl ester, and lauric acid behenyl ester) on graphite were investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. All three esters, which are bent at the carboxylic group in the gas phase, are distorted into a straight-chain shape upon self-assembly on graphite. This results from optimizing the adsorption energy by matching the adsorbate molecular chain with the graphite substrate lattice periodicity. In all the formed lamellae, the long alkyl chain of the ester always aligns with the long chain of the adjacent molecule. Steric repulsion of the carbonyl group pointing perpendicularly to the neighboring molecule weakens the interaction of the ester molecule with the substrate. The ester molecules then easily self-assemble into multilamellae with molecular chain-trough angles of 73, 61, and 49 degrees in addition to the 90 degrees angle typical of n-alkane monolayers. This results from a shifting of 1/2, 1, or 3/2 units from the adjacent molecule in a lamella. The relatively weak interaction between ester molecules and substrate lattice also results in the formation of zigzag patterns with domain-domain angles of 145, 133, and 122 degrees , respectively. The structures of esters adsorbed on HOPG indicate, contrary to what might be expected, that physisorbed molecular adsorbates do not necessarily have the same geometry as in the gas phase.     

The adsorption of RNAse A,BSA and cytochrome c at the graphite powder|liquid interface using in parallel the adsorption isotherm plot and linear sweep voltammetry on graphite paste electrode

The adsorption of RNAse A, BSA and cytochrome c on graphite powder has been investigated using in parallel the adsorption isotherm plot and linear sweep voltammetry on a graphite paste electrode (g.p.e.). The principle of the latter depends on the determination by electrochemical oxidation of tyrosyl or tryptophan residues having access to the interface. Adsorption isotherms exhibit bimodal adsorption features with a cooperative phenomenon leading to the formation of a close-packed two dimensional surface phase. Protein molecules are adsorbed in a monolayer when the pH is different from the isoelectric point. This layer is built up by the entanglement of a double network:

• •A network of molecules irreversibly adsorbed side-on, where hydrophobic residues move from the core to the surface. The tertiary structure is likely altered. The new dimensions of these adsorbed molecules have been determined (surface area per molecule, thickness).
• •A network of molecules adsorbed end-on, lying between the irreversibly adsorbed molecules.

     

Quantum-Chemical Investigation of the Interaction of Water and Methanol Molecules with Surface Carboxyl Groups on Graphite

A quantum-chemical investigation made of the adsorption of water and methanol at hydrophilic centers (carboxyl groups) on the partly oxidized surface of graphite was undertaken. The enthalpy of adsorption of water and methanol at such centers was determined. It was shown that water is adsorbed at the surface carboxyl groups in the form of dimers, while methanol is adsorbed in the form of single molecules. It was confirmed that the formation of clusters of water molecules in the vicinity of the hydrophilic center is a characteristic feature of the adsorption of water on the surface of graphite and other adsorbents.     

Wetting and adsorption: II. Adsorption of Triton X-100 and Triton X-305 onto carbon black from water and cyclohexane solutions

The adsorption isotherms of nonionic surfactants Triton X-100 and Triton X-305 from water and cyclohexane on carbon black have been determined at 15 and 30°C. The Langmuir-type and BET-type isotherms are obtained for adsorption of Triton X-100 and Triton X-305 from water and cyclohexane respectively. Both the contact angles of water for graphite/water/air and graphite/water/cyclohexane decrease monotonously with increasing surfactant concentration. From these results, it is proposed that the adsorption of Triton X-100 and Triton X-305 on carbon black or graphite from water is monolayer. For the adsorption from cyclohexane solutions, the ethyleneoxide group of the surfactant molecules may be adsorbed onto the polar spot at the surface of carbon black, and the hydrophobic group of adsorbed molecules may direct toward the liquid phase or attaches to the nonpolar surface region around the polar spot. As the concentration increases, the ethylene oxide groups of the adsorbed molecules can be aggregated with each other via polar interactions to form hemi-reversed micelle.     

Adsorption of toluene, methylcyclohexane and neopentane on silica MCM-41

Adsorption-desorption isotherms of toluene, methylcyclohexane and neopentane were determined on a silica MCM-41 material of pore diameter ∼3.4 nm over the temperature range 258 K to 308 K (278 K for neopentane). The isosteric enthalpies of adsorption were determined from the isotherms at the various temperatures. It was found that the isotherms of toluene and methylcyclohexane have a similar variation with the temperature, exhibiting hysteresis at 268 K and at lower temperature, while the adsorption of neopentane is reversible at all temperatures. The three organic adsorptives interact differently with the silica surface and the isosteric enthalpies of adsorption indicated that methylcyclohexane has the weakest interaction and toluene the strongest. A slight increase in the adsorption enthalpy at the beginning of the capillary condensation step is observed with methylcyclohexane and neopentane but not with toluene.