DFT calculations of vibrational spectra and nonlinear optical properties for MgO nanotube clusters

The IR and Raman spectra, nonlinear optical properties of MgO nanotube clusters are studied by density-functional theory at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The IR spectra are match closely to those in the corresponding MgO cluster and bulk materials. The strongest peaks of the IR spectra are located in the range from 650 to 750 cm⁻¹. The Raman spectra are very sensitive to structural variations in MgO clusters, and redshift of vibrational frequency is observed in Raman spectra as increasing cluster length. The motion of the strongest peaks in spectra is discussed. The total dipole moment and the first hyperpolarizabilities oscillate between zero and a constant when the layer is grown for the layer dependence of symmetry in MgO nanotube clusters.     

Giant magnetic moment of the core-shell Co13@Mn20 clusters: first-principles calculations

The core-shell clusters Co(13)@TM(20) with TM = Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni are investigated within first-principles simulations in the framework of density-functional theory. Huge magnetic moments have been found in the Co(13)@TM(20) clusters especially for the Co(13)@Mn(20) cluster with a giant magnetic moment of 113 μ(B). The large magnetic moments are mainly due to the special core-shell structure and the weak interaction between the TM and other atoms.     

A first-principles DFT study of UN bulk and (001) surface: comparative LCAO and PW calculations

LCAO and PW DFT calculations of the lattice constant, bulk modulus, cohesive energy, charge distribution, band structure, and DOS for UN single crystal are analyzed. It is demonstrated that a choice of the uranium atom relativistic effective core potentials considerably affects the band structure and magnetic structure at low temperatures. All calculations indicate mixed metallic-covalent chemical bonding in UN crystal with U5f states near the Fermi level. On the basis of the experience accumulated in UN bulk simulations, we compare the atomic and electronic structure as well as the formation energy for UN(001) surface calculated on slabs of different thickness using both DFT approaches.     

Simulating the optical properties of CdSe clusters using the RT-TDDFT approach

The structural and electronic properties of the CdSe nanoclusters, which have been intended to model quantum dots, have been examined by means of time-dependent density functional (TDDFT) calculations. The optical spectra were first simulated using the standard linear response implementation of the TDDFT (LR-TDDFT) in a series of calculations performed using different basis sets and exchange–correlation functionals. In a second step, the real-time TDDFT implementation (RT-TDDFT) was used to simulate the optical absorption spectra of the CdSe nanoclusters, both naked and capped with ligands. In general, we found that the RT-TDDFT approach successfully reproduced the optical spectrum of CdSe clusters offering a good compromise to render both the optical and the geometrical properties of the CdSe clusters at lower computational costs. While for small systems, the standard TDDFT is better suited, for medium- to large-sized systems, the real-time TDDFT becomes competitive and more efficient.     

Vibrational study of tolazoline hydrochloride by using FTIR-Raman and DFT calculations

Quantum mechanical (QM) calculations have been carried out in order to study the tolazoline hydrochloride theoretical structure and vibrational properties. This compound was characterized by infrared and Raman spectroscopies in the solid phase. For a complete assignment of the IR and Raman spectra, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations were combined with Pulay's Scaled Quantum Mechanics Force Field (SQMFF) methodology in order to fit the theoretical frequency values to the experimental ones. An agreement between theoretical and available experimental results was found. Three intense bands in the infrared spectrum characteristic of the protonated species of the compound were detected. Also, the possible charge-transfer and the topological properties for both benzyl and imidazoline rings were studied by means of Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) and Atoms in Molecules theory (AIM) investigation.     

Order-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> and embedded-cluster first-principles DFT calculations using SIESTA/Mosaico

Order-N and embedded-cluster first-principles DFT calculations have been performed with the Mosaico method for energy optimization (Seijo and Barandiarán in J Chem Phys 121:6698, 2004) for the first time. The Hamiltonian matrix elements have been computed with the SIESTA code. The order-N behavior of the method in DFT calculations was shown in total energy calculations performed on bulk silicon using supercells up to Si₈₀₀₀. The sizes of the orbital-specific-basis-sets needed for precise calculations have been explored in demanding (bulk silicon) and favorable (water clusters) cases for a method based on the calculation of localized molecular orbitals. Embedded-cluster calculations, which are much faster than full-system calculations, have been performed on an Si-vacancy of bulk silicon and on a water cluster with a displacing water molecule. The feasiability of calculations of this type with Mosaico has been demonstrated. The sizes of the variationally free, active clusters which are needed for an agreement with full-system calculations have been explored and result to be reasonably small. Contribution to the Serafin Fraga Memorial Issue.     

Thermodynamic, electronic and structural properties of Cu/CeO2 surfaces and interfaces from first-principles DFT+U calculations

The thermodynamic, structural and electronic properties of Cu-CeO(2) (ceria) surfaces and interfaces are investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT+U) calculations. We focus on model systems consisting of Cu atoms (i) supported by stoichiometric and reduced CeO(2) (111) surfaces, (ii) dispersed as substitutional solid solution at the same surface, as well as on (iii) the extended Cu(111)/CeO(2)(111) interface. Extensive charge reorganization at the metal-oxide contact is predicted for ceria-supported Cu adatoms and nanoparticles, leading to Cu oxidation, ceria reduction, and interfacial Ce(3+) ions. The calculated thermodynamics predict that Cu adatoms on stoichiometric surfaces are more stable than on O vacancies of reduced surfaces at all temperatures and pressures relevant for catalytic applications, even in extremely reducing chemical environments. This suggests that supported Cu nanoparticles do not nucleate at surface O vacancies of the oxide, at variance with many other metal/ceria systems. In oxidizing conditions, the solid solutions are shown to be more stable than the supported systems. Substitutional Cu ions form characteristic CuO(4) units. These promote an easy and reversible O release without the reduction of Ce ions. The study of the extended CeO(2)(111)/Cu(111) interface predicts the full reduction of the interfacial ceria trilayer. Cu nanoparticles supported by ceria are proposed to lie above a subsurface layer of Ce(3+) ions that extends up to the perimeter of the metal-oxide interface.     

Stable Tin (n = 2-15) clusters and their geometries: DFT calculations

We present a detailed structural analysis for small Tin (n = 2-15) clusters based on ab initio quantum mechanical calculations of their binding energies, frontier orbital gaps, and second energy derivatives. Local density approximation calculations revealed that while the smaller clusters (n < or = 8) prefer hexagonal atomic arrays with bulklike crystal symmetry, the bigger clusters prefer pentagonal atomic arrays. From the stability criteria of the magic number clusters we could identify three magic number clusters Ti7, Ti13, and Ti15. While the most stable configuration of Ti7 is a decahedral bipyramid induced by tetrahedral atomic arrays, the most stable configuration of Ti13 is an icosahedron. The other stable cluster Ti15 takes a closed-shell icosahedron-like configuration with both pentagonal and hexagonal symmetries. The stability of the Tin clusters strongly depends on their geometries and charge states. The HOMO-LUMO gap of the Tin clusters approaches its bulk value for n > 8. While there is not much difference between the HOMO and LUMO isosurface charge distributions for the Ti7 and Ti13 clusters in their most stable configurations, they are very different in the case of Ti15. Such a distinct charge distribution in Ti15 indicates its singular chemical selectivity over the other two magic number clusters.     

pH-dependent Raman study of pyrrole and its vibrational analysis using DFT calculations

Raman spectra of pyrrole in aqueous medium at different pH values, 2.5, 5.5, 7.5 and 10.5 were recorded in the two spectral regions, 1,040-1,160 cm(-1) and 3,300-3,360 cm(-1) and pH dependence of the linewidth, peak position and intensity of the Raman bands corresponding to the ring breathing and symmetric nu(N-H) stretching modes were examined. A linear pH dependence of the peak positions for the ring breathing mode and a maximum at nearly neutral pH (7.5) for the symmetric nu(N-H) normal mode is observed, whereas the linewidth (FWHM) shows almost no variation with the change of pH. A slight decrease in the wavenumber position of the nu(N-H) mode at pH value >7.5 indicates that the influence of deprotonation is small, which results from a weak interaction between the reference molecule and the surrounding environment. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations were made primarily to obtain the optimized geometry and vibrational spectra of pyrrole in the ground electronic state using B3LYP functional and the highest level basis set 6-311++G(d,p). The assignments of the normal modes of pyrrole were made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED). The calculations were also performed on protonated and deprotonated structures of pyrrole.     

Optical properties of CeBO3 and CeB3O6 compounds: first-principles calculations and experimental results

The cerium borates o-CeBO₃, m-CeBO₃ and CeB₃O₆ have been shown to be isostructural to their lanthanum derivatives. From diffuse reflectance, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and band structure calculations, it has been evidenced that a Ce³⁺ 4f-5d transition is responsible for weak absorption peaks around 3.5 eV while the O2p-Ce5d charge transfer gives rise to a strong absorption around 7 eV. Starting from self-consistent full potential LAPW calculations, the dielectric tensors of the three compounds were computed and compared to experimental data. It results in a satisfactory fit between the observed and the calculated extinction coefficient k and the index of refraction n.     

Direct first-principles chemical potential calculations of liquids

We propose a scheme that drastically improves the efficiency of Widom's particle insertion method by efficiently sampling cavities while calculating the integrals providing the chemical potentials of a physical system. This idea enables us to calculate chemical potentials of liquids directly from first-principles without the help of any reference system, which is necessary in the commonly used thermodynamic integration method. As an example, we apply our scheme, combined with the density functional formalism, to the calculation of the chemical potential of liquid copper. The calculated chemical potential is further used to locate the melting temperature. The calculated results closely agree with experiments.     

Elucidating the mass spectrum of the retronecine alkaloid using DFT calculations

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are natural molecules playing important roles in different biochemical processes in nature and in humans. In this work, the electron ionization mass spectrum of retronecine, an alkaloid molecule found in plants, was investigated computationally. Its mass spectrum can be characterized by three main fragment ions having the following m/z ratios: 111, 94, and 80. In order to rationalize the mass spectrum, minima and transition state geometries were computed using density functional theory. It was showed that the dissociation process includes an aromatization of the originally five‐membered ring of retronecine converted into a six‐membered ring compound. A fragmentation pathway mechanism involving dissociation activation barriers that are easily overcome by the initial ionization energy was found. From the computed quantum chemical geometric, atomic charges, and energetic parameters, the abundance of each ion in the mass spectrum of retronecine was discussed.     

Error analysis of incremental electron correlation calculations and applications to clusters and potential energy surfaces

An analysis of the propagation of errors in the incremental expansion of the correlation energy is presented. The potential accuracy of the incremental scheme is demonstrated explicitly for cluster compounds. The errors due to the truncation of the series at low order can be controlled in a systematic way and the error in the total correlation energy can be kept lower than 1 kcal/mol with respect to the canonical CCSD calculation. Finally, the performance of the incremental scheme in calculating potential energy surfaces is demonstrated.     

Temperature-sensitive photoluminescence of CdSe quantum dot clusters

The formation of narrow size dispersed and nanometer size aggregates (clusters) of cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) and their temperature-sensitive photoluminescence (PL) spectral properties close to room temperature (298 K) are discussed. CdSe QDs formed stable clusters with an average diameter of approximately 27 nm in the absence of coordinating solvents. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, we identified the association of individual QDs with 2-5 nm diameters into clusters of uniform size. A suspension of these clusters in different solvents exhibited reversible PL intensity changes and PL spectral shifts which were correlated with temperature. Although the PL intensity of CdSe QDs encapsulated in host matrixes and the solid state showed a response to temperature under cryogenic conditions, the current work identified for the first time QD clusters showing temperature-sensitive PL intensity variations and spectral shifts at moderate temperatures above room temperature. Temperature-sensitive reversible PL changes of clusters are discussed with respect to reversible thermal trapping of electrons at inter-QD interfaces and dipole-dipole interactions in clusters. Reversible luminescence intensity variations and spectral shifts of QD clusters show the potential for developing sensors based on QD nanoscale assemblies.     

Modeling of NMR spectra and signal assignment using real-time DFT/GIAO calculations

An automated algorithm for fast quantum chemical modeling of NMR spectra within the framework of the density functional theory was developed. High accuracy of calculations of NMR parameters achieved for various classes of organic compounds including heterocyclic compounds, carbohydrates, steroids, and peptides is comparable with the accuracy of experimental determination. The efficiency of computing the NMR chemical shifts using the high-performance PBE/PRIRODA method was demonstrated.     

Satellite lines in the EPR spectra of nitroxide radicals: experimental data and DFT calculations

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No quenching of magnetic moment for the GenCo (n=1-13) clusters: first-principles calculations

The authors predict that for the Ge(n)Co (n=1-13) clusters the magnetic moment does not quench, which is dark contrast to the previous results with transition-metal-doped Si(n) clusters. It may be due to the unpaired electrons of the Co atom in the clusters. For the ground state structures of the Ge(n)Co (n>or=9) clusters, the Co atom completely falls into the center of the Ge outer frame, forming metal-encapsulated Ge(n) cages. The doping of the Co atom enhances the stability of the host Ge(n) clusters. The Ge(10)Co cluster with the bicapped tetragonal antiprism structure is more stable than others, which agrees very well with the results of the experiment of the Co/Ge binary clusters by the laser vaporization.     

Synthesis and structural elucidation of a phthalide analog using NMR analysis and DFT calculations

Phtalides are secondary metabolites found in several fungi with a wide range of biological activities. A novel phthalide analog was synthesized by Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and 3,4-dichlorofuran-2(5H)-one. Quantum mechanical calculations were used in conjunction with the spectrometric methods to determine the structure of the title compound. The calculated NMR chemical shifts for eight candidate pairs of enantiomers were compared with the experimental NMR chemical shifts applying the DP4 probability and mean absolute errors methodology. DP4 analysis using ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts without assignment of the signals presented 100% probability for the correct candidate structure 3d , proving the consistency of the method even without spectra interpretation. Results from theoretical calculation and NMR spectra interpretation were in agreement to the structure of rac-(3aR,4S,4aS,5R,8S,8aR,9R,9aS)-3a,9a-dichloro-3a,4,4a,5,8,8a,9,9a-octahydro-4,9:5,8-dimethanonaphtho[2,3-c]furan-1(3H)-one.     

Photoisomerization of azobenzene from first-principles constrained density-functional calculations

Despite considerable work in the field, the precise mechanism for the photoisomerization of azobenzene, C(12)H(10)N(2), is still an open issue. Early theoretical studies of the problem indicated that isomerization occurs through an in-plane inversion path, and this has been used to explain recent time-resolved UV-visible spectroscopy measurements. On the other hand, a number of recent theoretical studies have concluded that a torsion of the N-N bond ("rotation path") is probably the most favorable mechanism for photoisomerization involving the first excited state. We have performed first-principles calculations using constrained density-functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT in the local-density approximation, with results that also favor the rotation path mechanism. Our results are compared with other analyses, primarily based on configuration interaction.