Modified PT-LJ-SAFT Density Functional Theory: I. Prediction of surface properties and phase equilibria of non-associating fluids

A new modified version of a Perturbation Density Functional Theory (PT-DFT) based on the Statistical Association Fluid Theory (SAFT) with a Lennard–Jones interaction potential is proposed to model the vapor–liquid phase equilibrium and to predict the interfacial behavior of non-associating hydrocarbon fluids. In the interaction model for the Helmholtz free energy functional the molecules are separated into m spherical segments interacting via a Lennard–Jones potential. The segments form chains of tangent spheres. In the perturbation approximation to Density Functional Theory the interaction potential is split according to WCA and the attractive term to the free energy functional consists of a suitable modification of the perturbation expression. This modification to PT-DFT yields surface tensions for the Lennard–Jones sphere fluid (m = 1.0) which are in perfect agreement with simulation data.The new PT-DFT model combines the high flexibility of the SAFT free energy functional with a modified density functional approach that enables to perform accurate calculations of interfacial properties. To take into account the contributions to surface tension resulting from mesoscale thermal fluctuations a semiempirical model is proposed that allows to correct the microscopic intrinsic surface tension.The model is used to describe the phase equilibrium of lower alkanes and aromatics. The results demonstrate the capability to fit vapor–liquid equilibrium data and to predict very accurately the surface properties of these fluids within the uncertainties of the experimental data.     

Voltage-Height Spectroscopy in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ex Situ</Emphasis> Configuration of a Scanning Tunneling Microscope

Basic regularities of electrochemical processes in the gap of an ex situ scanning tunneling microscope in conditions of condensation of air moisture at the sample surface are considered on a qualitative level. A layer of condensed moisture is viewed as an electrolyte in a two-electrode cell. The depolarizers present in this layer may experience electrochemical conversions on the tip and in an area of the sample surface near the tip. As a result, the recorded “tunneling” current includes electrochemical constituents. Depending on the electrochemical processes in the gap, various dependences of the tip-sample distance on the current and applied voltage can be expected. For preliminary diagnostics of processes in the gap it is suggested to use voltage-height spectra, whose shape and characteristic heights are sensitive to the nature and location of redox active species. Experimental data for various films on conducting supports (quasi-two-dimensional adsorbed layers of hemin and peroxidase, electrodeposited nonstoichiometric tungsten oxides, doped tin dioxide, solid electrolyte with ionic conduction) are presented as an examples.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 583–595.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Yusipovich, Vassiliev.     

The synergistic effect of cobalt-dicarbollide anions on the extraction of M lanthanide cations by Calix[4]arenes: a molecular dynamics study at the water–‘oil’ interface

We report molecular dynamics studies on the effect of CCD^– (chlorinated cobalt-dicarbollide) anions on the Eu³⁺ lanthanide cation extraction by a calix[4]arene-CMPO ligand L, focusing on the water–‘oil’ interface, where ‘oil’ is modelled by chloroform. The free L ligand and its EuL³⁺ complex are found to adsorb and to concentrate at the interface, but are too hydrophilic to be extracted. Addition of CCD^– anions in diluted conditions (either covalent linked to L or as separated CCD^– H₃O⁺ ions) also leads to adsorption of these species at the interface. However, at high concentrations, CCD^– anions saturate the interface and promote the extraction of EuL³⁺ to the oil phase. Another important feature concerns the uncomplexed Eu(CCD)₃ salt: accumulation of CCD^– anions at the interface creates a negative potential which attracts the hydrated Eu³⁺ ions, therefore facilitating their complexation by interfacial ligands. These features allow us to better understand the synergistic effect of lipophilic anions in the assisted liquid-liquid extraction of trivalent M³⁺ lanthanide or actinide cations. To cite this article: B. Coupez, G. Wipf, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).

Résumé

Synergie due aux anions dicarbollides lors de l’extraction d’ions lanthanides M³⁺ par des calix[4]arènes : simulations de dynamique moléculaire à l’interface eau–« huile ». Nous étudions par simulations de dynamique moléculaire l’effet de synergie dû aux anions CCD^– (cobalt-dicarbollides) lors de l’extraction de Eu³⁺ par un calix [4]arène L, en se focalisant sur l’interface eau–« huile », l’huile étant modélisée par du chloroforme. On montre que le ligand L et son complexe EuL³⁺ s’adsorbent à l’interface, mais sont trop hydrophiles pour être extraits. L’addition d’anions CCD^– (qu’ils soient sous la forme d’ions CCD^– H₃O⁺ séparés ou greffés de façon covalente au calixarène) conduit aussi à l’adsorption de ces espèces à l’interface. Cependant, aux plus fortes concentrations, les anions CCD^– saturent l’interface et induisent l’extraction du complexe EuL³⁺ vers l’huile. Un autre résultat remarquable concerne les sels Eu(CCD)₃ : l’accumulation des anions CCD^– à l’interface y crée un potentiel négatif, ce qui attire les cations Eu³⁺ et facilite ainsi leur complexation par des ligands à l’interface. Ces résultats permettent de mieux comprendre l’effet de synergie dû aux anions CCD^– lors de l’extraction d’ions lanthanides ou actinides M³⁺ et, d’une manière générale, ce qui se passe à l’interface entre l’eau et des liquides non miscibles. Pour citer cet article : B. Coupez, G. Wipf, C. R. Chimie 7 (2004).     

Structure of the 2-isopropylaminoethanol isolated molecule: Conformational analysis and intramolecular interactions

In this paper, a systematic exploration of all the possible conformers of 2-isopropylaminoethanol (2-IPAE) was carried out using the Density Functional Theory (B3LYP) and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. At this level, 66 unique conformers within a Gibbs energy range of ca. 31 kJ mol⁻¹ were found in the potential energy surface and their geometrical and thermodynamic properties were determined and discussed. A significant molecular strain was evidenced by the dihedrals and distances between non-bonded hydrogen atoms. According to the geometrical parameters, a O–H···N hydrogen bond was found to be present in the three most stable conformers, representing 68% of the conformational composition at 298.15 K. The energetic and geometrical data derived from the DFT calculations were further complemented by a NBO analysis of the most stable conformers.     

Adsorption of noble gases on metal surfaces and the scanning tunneling microscope

Physisorption on metal surfaces, and the tunneling currents through the adsorbed species, are calculated using a unified formalism that presents both problems on the same footing. Our method is based on a self-consistent LCAO approach whereby the different interaction parameters defining the bonds, and the tunneling currents, are calculated using the atomic properties of the atomic species forming the interface. Green function methods and the Keldish formalism are used to calculate the different physical properties. We present results for xenon adsorbed on aluminum.     

Switching the Chirality of Single Adsorbate Complexes

Pumped up : Propene molecules form chiral complexes when adsorbed on a copper surface. Inelastically scattered tunneling electrons from the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope induce rotation or diffusion of the adsorbate on the surface. Higher tunneling currents can lead to conversion of the adsorbate into the opposite enantiomer.

     

Vacancy diffusion in Cu Σ = 9 [110] twist grain boundary

Both the formation energy and the diffusive activation energy of a single vacancy migrating in the first four atomic layers intra- and inter-layer near Cu Σ = 9 [110] twist GB have been investigated by using the MAEAM. The formation of the vacancy is favorable on the first layer (1L) near the GB plane and is spontaneous on sites ‘2’–‘5’ especially ‘2’ and ‘4’. The effects of the GB on the intra- as well as inter-layer migration are mainly for 1L–1L as well as for 1L–1L′, 2L–1L and 3L–1L related to the 1L, respectively. Furthermore, the vacancy in 1L is favorable to migrate in 1L (intra-layer) or through GB plane to 1L′, the one in either 2L or 3L is favorable to migrate to 1L. So the vacancy tends to converge to the first layer near the GB plane.     

In-field determination of nanomolar nitrite in seawater using a sequential injection technique combined with solid phase enrichment and colorimetric detection

A novel sequential injection method for the determination of nitrite at nanomolar level in seawater samples has been developed. The pink azo compound was formed based on the Griess reaction and quantitatively adsorbed onto a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. The enriched azo compound was rinsed with water and ethanol (28%, v/v) in turn, and then eluted with an eluent containing 26.6% (v/v) ethanol and 0.108 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄. Finally the azo compound was measured using a spectrophotometer at 543 nm. Under the optimized conditions, the linear calibration ranges were 0.71–42.9 nmol L⁻¹ for a 150-mL sample and 35.7–429 nmol L⁻¹ for a 15-mL sample. The relative standard deviation of 8 measurements was 1.44% for 14.3 nmol L⁻¹ nitrite. For the 150 mL sample, the detection limit was estimated to be 0.1 nmol L⁻¹. The throughput of the method was about 4 samples per hour. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the in-field determination of nanomolar concentrations of nitrite in seawater.     

LC Determination of Mono-Substituted Phenols in Water Using Liquid–Liquid–Liquid Phase Microextraction

A simple liquid–liquid–liquid microextraction device of new design was used to pre-concentrate phenols from water samples before liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis. Extraction was induced by the pH difference inside and outside an organic phase located at the interface. The pH of the donor phase outside the organic phase was adjusted to 1 with HCl whereas the acceptor phase was a basic solution at pH 13. On stirring neutral phenols were extracted into the organic solvent then back-extracted into 1 μL of basic acceptor solution suspended from the tip of a micro syringe. The acceptor phase was then withdrawn into the micro syringe and injected directly into the LC. The technique uses a low-cost disposable extraction ‘device’ and is very convenient to operate. Up to 230-fold enrichment of analytes could be achieved. This procedure could also serve as a sample clean-up step because neutral and basic compounds were not extracted into the acceptor phase. The RSD (n = 5) was better than 6.2% and the linear calibration range was from 1 to 1000 µg–L⁻¹ with r ² ≥ 0.992.Optimization of experimental conditions (rate of stirring, ionic strength of the sample solution, concentration of reagents, time of extraction, and organic solvent volume) were also examined. The method was applied to the determination of phenols in tap and well waters.Revised: 14 February and 29 March 2005     

Inter-orbital interference in STM tip during electron tunneling in tip–sample system: influence on STM images

We present a theoretical study of the influence of interference effects connected with the tunneling through s and p_z orbitals of the apex atom in STM tip on the formation of STM image. The results show that such an interference may modify significantly the tunneling current by changing the current contributions from the different orbitals in the tip–sample system. STM simulations have been performed for the Al(0 0 1) surface and different fcc-metal tips: they clearly indicate that the height and type of the STM corrugation depend considerably on this interference.     

Specific Features of the Initial Stages of Oxidation of a Silver Electrode in Weakly Acidified Solutions of Sodium Fluoride

The behavior of a silver electrode, which is renewed in situ by mechanical cutting, in weakly acidified sodium fluoride solutions is studied with the aid of an impedance method and a method of cyclic voltammetry. The application of said procedures makes it possible to record time effects, which reflect the processes of electrochemical adsorption of oxygen at the interface between the silver electrode and the solution, in the potential region extending from −0.7 to 0.2 V (SCE). Approximate calculations of the effect of potential and the time of the electrode’s exposure (after its renewal) in contact with the electrolyte at given values of potential on the amount of adsorbed oxygen are performed on the basis of an analysis of the obtained experimental data. A comparison of the obtained results with the literature data makes it possible to put forth a substantiated opinion as to the reasons for the substantial difference in the intervals of potentials of ideal polarizability of the silver electrode/solution of a surface-inactive electrolyte system, which are presented in works of various authors.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2005, pp. 857–865.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Safonov, Choba, Oshkin.     

Scanning electrochemical microscopy of hydrogen electro-oxidation. Rate constant measurements and carbon monoxide poisoning on platinum

We describe an application of the scanning electrochemical microscope that uses tip–sample feedback to characterize the electro-oxidation of hydrogen on a polycrystalline platinum electrode in sulfuric acid solutions in the presence and absence of adsorbed carbon monoxide. The hydrogen oxidation reaction is probed by reducing protons at a diffusion-limited rate at the microscope's tip electrode while it is positioned near a platinum substrate. A series of approach curves measured as a function of the substrate potential provides hydrogen oxidation rate constant values over a wide range of substrate conditions. In the absence of CO, the rate of hydrogen oxidation exceeds 1 cm s⁻¹ at potentials within the hydrogen adsorption and double layer charging regions. A Tafel slope of 30 mV per decade is determined near the reversible potential. At increasingly positive substrate potentials, the hydrogen oxidation rate decreases exponentially with increasing potential as the surface is covered with an oxide layer. The adsorption of solution-phase carbon monoxide completely deactivates the platinum substrate towards steady-state hydrogen oxidation over a large range of substrate potentials. Approach curves indicate a near-zero rate constant for hydrogen oxidation on CO-covered platinum at potentials below oxide formation. An increase in the hydrogen oxidation rate is seen at potentials sufficiently positive that CO fails to adsorb and the platinum oxide forms. In comparison, dynamic tip–substrate voltammetry depicts a complex substrate response whereby the adsorbed carbon monoxide layer transforms from a weakly adsorbed state at low potentials to a strongly adsorbed state at high potentials. Although steady-state approach curve measurements depict the complete deactivation of catalytic activity at these potentials, a significant hydrogen oxidation current is observed during the potential-induced transformation between these weakly and strongly adsorbed CO states. The rate of hydrogen oxidation approaches that of a pristine platinum surface during this surface transformation before returning to the poisoned state.     

Schiff base complex sol–gel method for LaCoO3 perovskite preparation with high-adsorbed oxygen

A novel Schiff base complex sol–gel method has been used to prepare LaCoO₃ producing high ratios of adsorbed (or surface) oxygen (α) to lattice oxygen (β). The as-prepared gels, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), showed that both lanthanum and cobalt ions were complexed before calcinations. IR spectra revealed that CO₃²⁻ and NO₃⁻ presented on the sample surfaces during heat treatment. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) images of all samples showed resolved lattice fringes with the inter-planar spacing 0.37–0.39 nm of the (0 1 2) plane in hexagonal perovskite. BET surface areas of LaCoO₃ nano-crystals were 11.7–18.6 m²/g. Ratios of adsorbed (or surface) oxygen (α) to lattice oxygen (β) quantified by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy showed that LaCoO₃ prepared by the Schiff base complex method produced higher ratios when bases had higher nitrogen content in molecules. Carbonate and nitrate which were resulting from the oxidation of functional groups in the Schiff base complex, can produce gaseous compounds and leave vacant sites for oxygen in the gas phase to adsorb.     

Controlled production of oil-in-water emulsions containing unrefined pumpkin seed oil using stirred cell membrane emulsification

Membrane emulsification of unrefined pumpkin seed oil was performed using microengineered flat disc membranes on top of which a paddle blade stirrer was operated to induce surface shear. The membranes used were fabricated by galvanic deposition of nickel onto a photolithographic template and contained hexagonal arrays of uniform cylindrical pores with a diameter of 19 or 40 μm and a pore spacing of 140 μm. The uniformly sized pumpkin seed oil drops with span values less than 0.4 were obtained at oil fluxes up to 640 L m⁻² h⁻¹ using 2 wt.% Tween 20 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate) or 2–10 wt.% Pluronic F-68 (polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylen copolymer) as an aqueous surfactant solution. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in surface active ingredients that can be adsorbed on the membrane surface, such as free fatty acids, phospholipids, and chlorophyll. The adsorption of these components on the membrane surface gradually led to membrane wetting by the oil phase and the formation of uniform drops was achieved only for dispersed phase contents less than 10 vol.%. At high oil fluxes, Pluronic F-68 molecules present at a concentration of 2 wt.% could not adsorb fast enough, on the newly formed oil drops, to stabilise the expanding interface.     

The interfacial chemistry and energy level structure of a liquid crystalline perylene derivative on Au(1 1 1) and graphite surfaces

We compare the energy level structure of ordered monolayers of N,N′-ditridecyl-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C13) on Au(1 1 1) and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). Both ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements show the formation of an occupied interface state for PTCDI-C13 on Au(1 1 1), whereas no such state is observed for PTCDI-C13 on HOPG. Comparative density functional theory calculations for various isolated perylene derivatives in the neutral and anionic states are unable to explain differences in observed interface state formation, which suggests that the interface state for PTCDI-C13/Au(1 1 1) is a consequence of a weak chemical interaction of this molecule and the Au substrate.     

Non-specific adhesion on biomaterial surfaces driven by small amounts of protein adsorption

This work explores how long-range non-specific interactions, resulting from small amounts of adsorbed fibrinogen, potentially influence bioadhesion. Such non-specific interactions between protein adsorbed on a biomaterial and approaching cells or bacteria may complement or even dominate ligand–receptor mating. This work considers situations where the biomaterial surface and the approaching model cells (micron-scale silica particles) exhibit strong electrostatic repulsion, as may be the case in diagnostics and lab-on-chip applications. We report that adsorbed fibrinogen levels near 0.5 mg/m² produce non-specific fouling. For underlying surfaces that are less fundamentally repulsive, smaller amounts of adsorbed fibrinogen would have a similar effect. Additionally, it was observed that particle adhesion engages sharply and only above a threshold loading of fibrinogen on the collector. Also, in the range of ionic strength, I, below about 0.05 M, increases in I reduce the fibrinogen needed for microparticle capture, due to screening of electrostatic repulsions. Surprisingly, however, ionic strengths of 0.15 M reduce fibrinogen adsorption altogether. This observation opposes expectations based on DLVO arguments, pointing to localized electrostatic attractions and hydration effects to drive silica–fibrinogen adhesion. These behaviors are benchmarked against microparticle binding on silica surfaces carrying small amounts of a polycation, to provide insight into the role of electrostatics in fibrinogen-driven non-specific adhesion.     

Anomalous chemical shifts of organic molecules adsorbed on spherical carbon adsorbents

The adsorption of simple organic molecules on synthetic carbon adsorbents of the SCA brand, thermovacuum treated at 2273 K, was studied by the PMR method. It was found that adsorbed molecules appear in the PMR spectra in the form of one or several signals, shifted toward strong magnetic fields in comparison with the proton signal of molecules in the condensed phase. The strongest shielding effect on the part of the surface of the material is experienced by adsorbent molecules in the SCA micropores. It was shown that the chemical shift does not depend on the nature of the adsorbed molecules and is apparently determined by the site of coordination in the interplanar gap of the graphitized portions of the carbon material. It is suggested that the anomalous values of the chemical shift of the protons of the adsorbed molecules are due to the influence of ring currents of the graphitized surface.Translated from Teoreticheskaya Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 80–85, January–February, 1992.     

Transfer of Cl ligands between adsorbed iron tetraphenylporphyrin molecules

Iron tetraphenylporphyrin chloride (FeTPPCl) adsorbed on a Au(111) substrate is investigated using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Cl is controllably transferred between the Fe center of a selected molecule and the tip of the microscope without disrupting the surrounding molecular pattern. Cl abstraction from FeTPPCl is triggered by removing an electron from the highest occupied molecular orbital. Density functional calculations suggest that the reaction involves a change in the oxidation state of the Fe ion.     

Temperature-dependent interfacial properties of hydrophobically end-modified poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s assemblies at the air/water interface and on solid substrates

We describe herein the properties at the air/water (A/W) interface of hydrophobically end-modified (HM) poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline)s (PiPrOx) bearing an n-octadecyl chain on both termini (telechelic HM-PiPrOx) or on one chain end (semitelechelic HM-PiPrOx) for different subphase temperatures and spreading solvents using the Langmuir film balance technique. The polymer interfacial properties revealed by the π–A isotherms depend markedly on the architecture and molecular weight of the polymer. On cold water subphases (14 °C), diffusion of PiPrOx chains onto water takes place for all polymers in the intermediate compressibility region (5 mN m⁻¹). At higher subphase temperatures (36 and 48 °C), the HM-PiPrOx film exhibited remarkable stability with time. Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) imaging of the A/W interface showed that the polymer assembly was not uniform and that large domains formed, either isolated grains or pearl necklaces, depending on the polymer structure, the concentration of the spreading solution and the subphase temperature. The Langmuir films were transferred onto hydrophilic substrates (silica) by the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique and onto hydrophobic substrates (gold) by Langmuir–Schaefer (LS) film deposition, resulting in the formation of adsorbed particles ranging in size from 200 to 500 nm, depending on the polymer architecture and the substrate temperature. The particles presented “Janus”-like hydrophilic/hydrophobic characteristics.     

探讨电化学界面的原子－分子世界（厦门大学电化学研究工作简介之一）

探讨电化学界面的原子－分子世界（厦门大学电化学研究工作简介之一）田昭武（固体表面物理化学国家重点实验室,厦门大学化学系,厦门３６１００５）厦门大学电化学研究工作内容包括：基础研究、新研究方法与仪器的研制以及应用研究。拟在本刊陆续予以介绍。作为厦门大学...