Prediction of the internal energy contribution of polydimethylsiloxane during elongation

Rubber elasticity theory is of fundamental importance in polymer science. The traditional theory is athermal, describing rubber deformation behavior as entropy elasticity without an internal energy contribution. It has been found experimentally, however, that the internal energy contribution is not zero. In the present study we have used conformational elasticity theory to calculate the internal energy contribution of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and results obtained are consistent with a number of experimental observations.     

Six-dimensional potential energy surface of the dissociative chemisorption of HCl on Au(111) using neural networks

We constructed a six-dimensional potential energy surface(PES)for the dissociative chemisorption of HCl on Au(111)using the neural networks method based on roughly 70000 energies obtained from extensive density functional theory(DFT)calculations.The resulting PES is accurate and smooth,based on the small fitting errors and good agreement between the fitted PES and the direct DFT calculations.Time-dependent wave packet calculations show that the potential energy surface is very well converged with respect to the number of DFT data points,as well as to the fitting process.The dissociation probabilities of HCl initially in the ground rovibrational state from six-dimensional quantum dynamical calculations are quite diferent from the four-dimensional fixed-site calculations,indicating it is essential to perform full-dimensional quantum dynamical studies for the title molecule-surface interaction system.     

DFT Study of the Mechanism and Regioselectivity of 1,3-Pentadiene with Methyl Acrylate Using Theoretical Approaches

<正>Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to study regioselectivity in the Diels-Alder (DA) cycloaddition reaction between 1,3-pentadiene and methyl acrylate. The DFT calculations were performed with the B3LYP functional and 6-311+G~(**) basis set. Two synchronous transition structures corresponding to the formation of different regioisomers associated with the two reaction channels have been located. The DFT calculations generated transition geometries with a very small degree of asynchronicity. The present analysis shows that these reactions have normal electron demand (NED) character. Moreover, the results obtained from energetic and electronic approaches with the exception of Houk's rule confirm that ortho regioisomer is the major product.     

Simple estimation of electron correlation energy for multi-atomic strong ionic compounds KX and (KX)2 (X = OH, NC)

On the basis of the calculations and analyses of the intrapair and interpair correlation energy of KX (X = OH, NC) molecules and the results of the transferability of both the innermost intrapair correlation energy and the inner core effect of K and X in KX molecules, we defined and calculated the Kδ- and Xδ-correlation contributions to the total correlation energy of KX molecules. With the comparison of the pair correlation energy of K+, X- and KX systems, we present a simple estimation method to estimate the electron correlation energy of strong ionic compound by summarizing the correlation energy of its constituent ion and ionic group. By using this simple method, the reasonable estimation results of the correlation energy of (KOH)2 and (KNC)2 have been obtained at mp2/6-311++G(d) level with Gaussian98 program, and the deviations are very small. Applying the scheme of "Separate Large System into Smaller Ones" to the calculation of electron correlation energy of large ionic compounds, it can not only     

DFT Studies on Second-order Nonlinear Optical Response of Ir(C∧N)2(pic)Complexes

Density flmctional theory(DFT)was employed to calculate the geometrical structures,UV-Vis absorption spectra and second-order nonlinear optical(NLO)properties of a family of iridium(Ⅲ)complexes,which possess of different cyclometallated ligands(C∧N)and ancillary ligands[pyridme-2-carboxylate(pic)].It was found that the mo-dification of the LUMO energy levels was achieved by changing pic ligands and the energy gaps between the HOMO and LUMO were notably increased or decreased.In addition,the degree of conjugation was significantly changed with the substituent groups varied,which led to that the first hyperpolarizabilityβcould be effectively modulated.Through the analysis of time-dependent DFT(TD-DFT)results,we predicted that these studied complexes withπ→π^*charge transfer was beneficial to the large second-order NLO properties.Therefore,we hope that these studied iridium(III)complexes can be considered as versatile second-order NLO materials.     

COMPUTER SIMULATIONS ON UNPERTURBED CONFIGURATIONAL DIMENSIONS OF POLY (METHYL ACRYLATE)

A full-relaxation optimization of molecule and the popular MM2 force field are em-ployed to obtain the geometry parameters and the conformational energy surface of a mesoor a racemic dyad of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) with a specified carbonyl-bond orien-tation in side-groups. It is found that the conformational energy maps calculated hereconsiderably differ from those calculated with the rigid molecular model as reported in theearlier studies. The g~- state cannot be omitted in the obtained contour maps. Two impor-tant conformers tg~- and g~(-t) with energy minima were newly detected for a racemic dyad.The analysis on the conformations with energy minima confirmed that the ester groupsare not always perpendicular to the plane defined by the two adjacent skeletal bonds andmay change their relative orientations to meet the requirement of lower energies duringthe conformational state transition. Instead of the early way of adjusting the interactionenergy parameters to fit the experimental data, we attempt to predict unperturbed chaindimensions via the reliable force field and the configurational statistical mechanics. Theproposed scheme with three rotational states identified from the contour maps allowed usto satisfactorily reproduce the experimental dimensions of random PMA chains.     

Does the molecular structure of CaH2 affect the dihydrogen bonding in CaH2 … HY (Y = CH3, C2H3, C2H, CN, and NC) complexes? A quantum chemistry study using MP2 and B3LYP methods

Second-order M ller-Plesset(MP2) and density functional theory(DFT) calculations have been carried out in order to investigate the structures and properties of dihydrogen-bonded CaH 2 HY(Y = CH 3,C 2 H 3,C 2 H,CN,and NC) complexes.Our calculations revealed two possible structures for CaH 2 in CaH 2 HY complexes:linear(I) and bent(II).The bond lengths,interaction energies,and strengths for H H interactions obtained by both MP2 and B3LYP methods are quite close to each other.It was found that the interaction energy decreases with increasing electron density at the Ca-H bond critical point.Atom-in-molecule(AIM) results show that for all of Ca-H H-Y interactions considered here,the Laplacian of the electron density at the H H bond critical point is positive,indicating the electrostatic nature of these Ca-H H-Y dihydrogen bonded systems.     

Effect of Zr and C Co-doping on the Optical Properties and Electronic Structure of TiO_2

The systematic trends and effect introduced by Zr and C co-doping to TiO2 of electronic structure and optical properties of anatase TiO2 have been calculated by the plane-wave ultra-soft pseudopotential density functional theory (DFT) method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the exchange-correlation potential. Through the current calculations, the density of states (DOS), energy band structure and optical absorption coefficients have been obtained for TiO2 and compared with the doped TiO2, and the influence of electronic structure and optical properties caused by Zr and C co-doping has been presented qualitatively together. The results revealed that the energy band gap has been decreased owing to the doped Zr and C, whereas the optical absorption coefficients have been increased in the region of 400～800 nm and a red shift of absorption band can be found. Accordingly, photo catalytic activity of TiO2 has been enhanced. The current calculations are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Vibrational frequencies of hydrazoic acid and methyl azide: density functional theory study

Harmonic vibrational frequencies of HN3 and CH3N3 molecules and their several isotopomers are calculated using HF, MP2 and five popular density functional theory (DFT) methods. On the basis of the comparison between calculated and experimental results, assignments of fundamental vibrational modes arc examined. HF and MP2 results are in bad agreement with experimental values. Of the five DFT methods, BLYP reproduces the observed fundamental frequencies the most satisfactorily. Two hybrid DFT methods are found to yield frequencies generally higher than the observed fundamental frequencies. The results indicate that BLYP calculation is a very promising approach for understanding the observed spectral features.     

TMN4 complex embedded graphene as bifunctional electrocatalysts for high efficiency OER/ORR

Developing highly active bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction(OER)and oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is of great significance in energy conversion and storage technologies.In this study,we systematically investigated the OER/ORR electrocatalytic activity of TMN₄@G system by using density functional theory(DFT)calculations.Globally,IrN₄@G is a very promising bifunctional catalyst for both OER and ORR with the extremely low overpotentials of 0.30 and 0.26 V,respectively.Such outstanding electrocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of Ir and N.More importantly,by constructing 2D activity volcano plots,we obtained the limiting overpotentials of TMN₄@G system with the values of 0.26 V for OER and 0.24 V for ORR.These findings open up new opportunities for further exploring graphene-based materials for highly efficient OER/ORR electrocatalysts.     

Theory assisted design of N-doped tin oxides for enhanced electrochemical CO2 activation and reduction

Clearly understanding the structure-function relationship and rational design of efficient CO_2 electrocatalysts are still the challenges.This article describes the molecular origin of high selectivity of formic acid on N-doped SnO_2 nanoparticles,which obtained via thermal treatment of g-C_3N_4 and SnCl_2·2H_2O precursor.Combined with density functional theory(DFT)calculations,we discover that N-doping effectively introduces oxygen vacancies and increases the charge density of Sn sites,which plays a positive role in CO_2 activation.In addition,N-doping further regulates the adsorption energy of*OCHO,*COOH,*H and promotes HCOOH generation.Benefited from above modulation,the obtained N-doped SnO_2 catalysts with oxygen vacancies(Ov-N-SnO_2)exhibit faradaic efficiency of 93% for C_1 formation,88% for HCOOH production and well-suppression of H_2 evolution over a wide range of potentials.     

Theoretical studies on phosphoraniminato derivatives of Keggin-type polyoxometalates [PW11O39{MVNPPh3}]3− (M = Fe,Ru): Electronic structures and bonding features

Transition metal phosphoraniminato derivatives of Keggin-type polyoxometalates(POMs) are important intermediates in N-transfer reactions.Density functional theory(DFT) has been employed to calculate the electronic structures,bonding features and redox properties of the iron and ruthenium phosphoraniminato derivatives of Keggin-type POMs,[PW11O39{MVNPPh3}] 3-(M = Fe,Ru).Our DFT calculations show that both anions have the same qualitative M-N single bond features.However,the calculations predict that the FeN system possesses a lower energy and more accessible metalnitrogen antibonding orbital than the RuN system.This results in a greater weakening of the Fe-N bond in the reduction process,and thus enhances its N-transfer reactivity.     

Oxidation Effects on the Electronic Properties of Hydrogenated Silicon Clusters

The geometric and electronic properties of some hydrogenated silicon clusters in the presence of oxygen on the surface have been investigated.The density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation functional was applied in our calculations.By calculating the total energy,the double bond Si=O is shown to be more stable than the bridge bond Si-O-Si for large size oxidized clusters.The results of Mulliken population analysis indicate that a so-called passivation effect is enhanced by oxidization effects.From the energy band structures and density of states,we find that some localized states are induced by the p-orbital of O atom mainly and reduce the energy gaps substantially.     

Density Functional Theory Study on the Structural and Electronic Properties of Ge（SiO_2）_n Clusters

The geometry,stability,binding energy and electronic properties of(SiO2)n and Ge(SiO2)n clusters(n = 7) have been investigated by Density functional theory(DFT).The results show that the lowest energy structures of Ge(SiO2)n are obtained by adding one Ge on the end site of the O atom or the Si near end site of the O atom in(SiO2)n.The chemical activation of Ge-(SiO2)n is improved compared with(SiO2)n.The calculated second-order difference of energies and fragmentation energies show that the Ge(SiO2)n clusters with n = 2 or 5 are stable.     

Theoretical Study on the High Energy Density Compound Hexanitrohexaazatricyclotetradecanedifuroxan

Density functional theory （DFT） has been employed to study the molecular geometries, electronic structures, infrared （IR） spectra, and thermodynamic properties of the high energy density compound hexanitrohexaazatricyclotetradecanedifuroxan （HHTTD） at the B3LYP/6-31G^＊＊ level of theory. The calculated results show that there are four conformational isomers （α, β, γ and δ） for HHTTD, and the relative stabilities of four conformers were assessed based on the calculated total energies and the energy-gaps between the frontier molecular orbitals. The computed harmonic vibrational frequencies are in reasonable agreement with the available experimental data. Thermodynamic properties derived from the IR spectra on the basis of statistical thermodynamic principles are linearly correlated with the temperature. Detonation performances were evaluated by using the Kamlet-Jacobs equations based on the calculated densities and heats of formation. It was found that four HHTTD isomers with the predicted densities of ca. 2 g·cm^-3, detonation velocities near 10 km·s^-1, and detonation pressures over 45 GPa, may be novel potential candidates of high energy density materials （HEDM）. These results may provide basic information for the molecular design of HEDM.     

Conformer Pair Contributions to Optical Rotations in a Series of Chiral Linear Aliphatic Alcohols

The chain length effect of four chiral aliphatic alcohols,(S)-2-butanol,(S)-2-pentanol,(S)-2-hexanol and (S)-2-heptanol,on their specific optical rotations(OR)was studied experimentally and theoretically via quantum theory.Many conformations of each chiral alcohol exist as conformer pairs in solution.The OR sum from these pairs of conformers has much smaller contributions to OR values than that contributed by the most stable conformation. These four alcohols'OR values were also investigated using the matrix model,which employs each substituent's comprehensive mass,radii,electronegativity and symmetry number as the elements in the matrix.These are all particle properties.This matrix determinant is proportional to its OR values within a closely related structural series of chiral compounds.The experimental OR values and the matrix determinants of these four alcohols were compared with the predicted OR values obtained from quantum theory wave functions.The ORs predicted by the matrix method, which is based on particle function statistics,agreed with the results from quantum theory.The agreement between OR predictions by the matrix method and DFT calculations illustrates the wave-particle duality of polarized light that is operating in these predictions.     

Temperature-dependent structural changes of[Bmim]FeCl4 magnetic ionic liquid characterized by an in-situ X-ray absorption fine structure

The temperature-dependent structural changes in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoride([Bmim]FeCl4)magnetic ionic liquid(MIL)were investigated by using in-situ X-ray absorption fine structure(XAFS)combined with Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations.XAFS re sults revealed that the coordination number and bond length of Fe-Cl in the anion of[Bmim]FeCl4 MIL decreased with increments in temperature.These results directly reflected the dissociation of tetrahedral structure[FeCl4]^-,and the formation of bridge-chain[Fe2 Cl5]^+,and[FeCl2]^+species in the anion of[Bmim]FeCl4 MIL.These behaviors indicated that[FeCl4]^-dissociation was endothermic,and was promoted by increased temperature.The results obtained through XAFS were in agreement with those obtained through Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations.     

Dynamics Study of the Influence of Temperature on Konjac Glucomannan Saline Solution’s Viscosity

Molecular dynamics (MD) method is adopted to simulate the conformation variations of konjac glucomannan (KGM) saline solution at different temperatures, and structurally analyze the trends and reasons of viscosity change in KGM saline solution with temperature. The experimental results have been analyzed to find out that the sum of formative hydrogen bonds decreases with the rise of temperature and the amount of intramolecular hydrogen bonds suddenly increases at 323 K. Besides, in terms of molecular orbital data obtained from simulation, we can know that hydrogen bonding energy also decreases with the rise of temperature. Therefore, we can predict the viscosity of KGM saline solution decreases gradually when rising the temperature.     

A defective iron-based perovskite cathode for high-performance IT-SOFCs: Tailoring the oxygen vacancies using Nb/Ta co-doping

The sluggish kinetics of the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction(ORR) in intermediatetemperature solid oxide fuel cells(IT-SOFCs) greatly limits the overall cell performance. In this study,an efficient and durable cathode material for IT-SOFCs is designed based on density functional theory(DFT) calculations by co-doping with Nb and Ta the B-site of the SrFeO_3-δ perovskite oxide. The DFT calculations suggest that Nb/Ta co-doping can regulate the energy band of the parent SrFeO