Surface interaction of H2O and H2S onto Ca12O12 nanocluster: Quantum‐chemical analyses

To find the selectivity of H₂S, we explicate the adsorption properties of water (H₂O) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) molecules on the external surfaces of free Ca₁₂O₁₂ nanocages using the density functional theory method. More specifically, binding energies, natural bond orbital charge transfer, dipole moment, molecular electrostatic potential, frontier molecular orbitals, density of states, and global indices of activities are calculated to deeply understand the impacts of the aforementioned molecules on the electronic and chemical properties of Ca₁₂O₁₂ nanocages. Our theoretical findings indicate that although H₂O seems to be adsorbed in molecular form, the H₂S molecule is fully dissociated during the adsorption process because of the weak bond between sulfur and hydrogen atoms of the molecule. Interestingly, the highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap of the nanocage is decreased by 1.87 eV upon H₂S adsorption, indicating that the electrical conductivity of the nanocage is strongly increased by the dissociation process. In addition, the values of softness and electrophilicity for the H₂S‐Ca₁₂O₁₂ complex are higher than those for the free nanocage. Our results suggest that Ca₁₂O₁₂ nanoclusters show promise in the adsorption/dissociation of H₂S molecules, which can be used further for designing its selective sensor.     

B12N12 Nano-cage as Potential Sensor for NO2 Detection

The NO₂ molecule adsorption on B₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage was investigated using density func-tional theory calculations in terms of adsorption energy, HOMO/LUMO energy gap (Eg) changes, charge transfer, structural deformation, etc. Furthermore, some aspects of stability and properties of B₁₂N₁₂ including calculation of binding electronic and Gibbs free energies, density of states, and molecular electrostatic potential surfaces are investigated. Three pos-sible configurations for NO₂ adsorption on the B₁₂N₁₂ nano-cage are energetically found. Interestingly, the results reveals that the Eg of B₁₂N₁₂ cluster is very sensitive to the pres-ence of NO₂ molecules as its value reduces from 6.84 eV in free cluster to 3.23 eV in the most stable configuration of NO₂/cluster complex. This phenomenon dramatically increases the electrical conductivity of the cluster, suggesting that the B₁₂N₁₂ nano-cluster may be potential sensor for NO₂ gaseous molecule detection.     

A DFT study on electronic and optical properties of aspirin-functionalized B<Subscript>12</Subscript>N<Subscript>12</Subscript> fullerene-like nanocluster

In this work, the interaction of an aspirin (AS) molecule with the external surface of a boron nitride fullerene-like nanocage (B₁₂N₁₂) is studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Equilibrium geometry, electronic properties, adsorption energy and thermodynamic stability are identified for all of the adsorbed configurations. Four stable configurations are obtained for the interaction of AS molecule with the B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage, with adsorption energies in the range of ?10.1 to ?37.7 kcal/mol (at the M06-2X/6-31 + G** level). Our results clearly indicate that Al-doping of the B₁₂N₁₂ tends to increase the adsorption energy and thermodynamic stability of AS molecule over this nanocage. We further study the adsorption of AS over the B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₁N₁₂Al in the presence of a protic (water) or aprotic (benzene) solvent. It is found that the calculated binding distances and adsorption energies by the PCM and CPCM solvent models are very similar, especially for the B₁₂N₁₂ complexes. According to time-dependent DFT calculations, the Al-doping can shift estimated λ _max values toward longer wavelengths (redshift). Solvent effects also have an important influence on the calculated electronic absorption spectra of AS-B₁₂N₁₂ complexes.     

Si‐Doped B12N12 Nanocage as an Adsorbent for Dissociation of N2O to N2 Molecule

Adsorption of N₂O molecule by using density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6–31G* level onto pristine and Si‐doped B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage in terms of energetic, geometric, and electronic properties was investigated. The results of calculations showed that the N₂O molecule is physically adsorbed on the pristine and Si‐doped B₁₂N₁₂ (Si_N) models, releasing energies in the range of –1.13 to –2.02 kcal mol⁻¹. It was found that the electronic properties of the models have not changed significantly upon the N₂O adsorption. On the other hand, the adsorption energy of N₂O on the Si‐doped B₁₂N₁₂ (Si_B model) was about –67.20 kcal mol⁻¹and the natural bond orbital charge of 0.58|e| is transferred from the nanocage to the N₂O molecule. In the configuration, the O atom of N₂O molecule is bonded to the Si atom of the nanocage, so that an N₂ molecule escapes from the wall of the nanocage. The results showed that the Si_B model can be an adsorbent for dissociation of the N₂O molecule.     

NO在Mn_2O_3(110)表面吸附的密度泛函理论研究

基于第一性原理密度泛函计算方法研究了NO在Mn_2O_3(110)面的吸附行为,计算了Mn_2O_3(110)面吸附NO和O_2的吸附构型的结构参数、吸附能和电子结构.结果表明,在Mn_2O_3(110)表面上,NO倾向于吸附在Mn top位,吸附前后的结构总能变化在-0.61~-1.29 eV之间,NO吸附后Mn吸附位周围的配位结构发生变化,使得Mn的电子向NO转移.进一步研究了吸附O_2后的Mn_2O_3表面再进一步吸附NO的行为,发现了ONOO*结构的形成.NO和O_2在表面共吸附形成ONOO*结构时的吸附能(-1.23和-1.39 eV)高于单纯吸附NO时的吸附能,此时Mn的电子向ONOO*结构转移,NO和O_2投影态密度的电子峰广泛交叠,说明成键原子之间有强共价键作用.     

Covalent Functionalization of Zn12O12 Nanocluster with Thiophene

Covalent functionalization of a ZnO nanocluster with thiophene molecule was studied by means of density functional theory calculations. The obtained results show that the molecule is physically adsorbed on the surface of nanocluster with adsorption energies in the range of ?0.33 to ?0.42 eV. In this study, ²η-C₄H₄S–Zn₁₂O₁₂ cluster is the most stable adsorption among all thiophene adsorption configurations. Accordingly, HOMO–LUMO energy gap of the nano-cluster is changed about 0.24 to 0.72 % using the DFT calculations. The values of charge transfer shows that π-back bonding exists for ²η and ⁵η bonding modes. Present results might be helpful to provide an effective way to modify the Zn₁₂O₁₂ properties for further applications such as generation of the new hybrid compounds.     

Heterostructured MgO/ZnO photocatalysts: Synthesis,Characterization and UV Light-Induced Photocatalytic Activity Using Model Pollutant 2,6-dichlorophenol

ZnO and MgO/ZnO (mass ratio 2: 5, 5: 5 and 8: 5) heterostructure photocatalysts (Mg₂Zn₅, Mg₅Zn₅ and Mg₈Zn₅, respectively) were successfully synthesized via co-precipitation method. MgO/ZnO composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction and low temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm. According to SEM images all composites consisted of spherical granules with particle sizes of 30–50 nm. The band gap value of ZnO was found to be lower than that of MgO/ZnO composites as observed during the optical studies. Pure ZnO showed lower photocatalytic activity (38%) in the degradation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) than MgO/ZnO composites. Mg₅Zn₅ composite with a higher concentration of defects in crystallites was more active in the photocatalytic degradation (79.5%) than Mg₈Zn₅ (61.2%) and Mg₂Zn₅ (63.5%). High-resolution mass spectrometry-and UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis of the by-products, derived from model pollutant 2,6-DCP, proved the successful photocatalytic performance of Mg₅Zn₅ under the UV light. The synthesized composites are future candidates against other potential environmental pollutants.     

Penicillamine functionalized B12N12 and B12CaN12 nanocages act as potential inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines: A combined DFT analysis,ADMET and molecular docking study

The adsorption of penicillamine (PCA) on pure B₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂CaN₁₂ nanocages in aqueous and chloroform solvents has been evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The interaction of PCA on B₁₂N₁₂ nanocages is chemisorption through its four nucleophilic sites: amine, carbonyl, hydroxyl and thiol. The most stable adsorption configuration was achieved when zwitterionic PCA adsorbs via its carbonyl group in water with value of ?1.723 eV, in contrast, when neutral PCA adsorbs via its amine group in chloroform with value of ?1.68 eV. Intercalated calcium ion within B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage (B₁₂CaN₁₂) was shown to attract PCA onto nanocage surface, resulting in higher solubility and adsorption energy after their complexation in water and chloroform. The adsorption of multiple PCA molecules from their amine and carbonyl groups on pure and B₁₂CaN₁₂ nanocages were also evaluated where two and three molecules can be chemisorbed on boron atoms of the nanocage surfaces with the adsorption energy per PCA reduces slightly with the increasing the amount of drugs due to the curvature effects. Molecular docking study indicates that PCA from its NH₂ group on B₁₂CaN₁₂ nanocage has the best binding affinity and inhibition potential of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptors as compared with the other adsorption systems. Molecular docking and ADMET analysis displayed that the chosen compounds pass Lipinski Rule and have appropriate pharmacokinetic features suitable as models for developing anti-inflammatory agents.     

CI Study of CO adsorption on MgO(1 0 0)

Using CI embedding method, we have studied the adsorption of CO on MgO(1 0 0). The MgO(1 0 0) substrate is described by a Mg₉O₉ (3 × 3 × 2) core cluster, embedded in ionic (Mg²⁺/O²⁻) core potentials. The adsorption energy is calculated to be 0.11 eV at the CI level with a blue shift of 19 cm⁻¹ for CO stretching on MgO(1 0 0). The dispersion accounts only 35% of the total binding energy of CO on MgO(1 0 0). The CO/MgO(1 0 0) interaction is weak and mainly of the van der Waals type with only slight chemical bonding characters.     

Transition metal atom adsorptions on a boron nitride nanocage

We have applied density functional theory within B3LYP and M05 functionals to investigate the chemical functionalization of B₁₂N₁₂ nanocage with 3d transition metal (TM) atoms. Main focuses have been placed on configurations corresponding to the located minima of the adsorbates, corresponding adsorption energies, and the modified electronic properties of the cage. It was shown that there is linear correlation between the adsorption energies of the B3LYP and M05 as the results of M05 are higher than those of B3LYP, about 0.52 eV. Based on calculations, the most stable adsorption site is over the bond shared by a four- and a six-membered ring in the outer surface of cluster, in most cases. Based on the M05 results, the adsorption energies of the Sc, Ti, V, Co, and Fe are relatively high (>1.51 eV) and those of Mn, Ni, and Cu calculated to be in the range of 1.00–1.22 eV. The Cr atom forms a weak bond with a boron atom of the B₁₂N₁₂ cluster, while Zn atom cannot be chemically adsorbed. Charge transfer from metals to cluster ascertained that the B₁₂N₁₂ plays as an electron-trapping center. Inducing certain impurity states within the electron density of states, the TM adsorption significantly reduces the HOMO–LUMO gap of cluster, ranging from 32 to 79 %.     

Improved anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of celecoxib loaded zinc oxide and magnesium oxide nanoclusters: A molecular docking and density functional theory simulation

Present study offers great prospects for the adsorption of anti-inflammatory celecoxib molecule (CXB) over the surface of zinc oxide (Zn₁₂O₁₂) and magnesium oxide (Mg₁₂O₁₂) nanoclusters in several environments by performing robust theoretical calculations. Density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) and molecular docking calculations have been extensively carried out to predict the foremost optimum site of CXB adsorption. It has been observed that the CXB molecule prefers to be adsorbed by its SO₂ site on the Zn-O and Mg-O bonds of the Zn₁₂O₁₂ and Mg₁₂O₁₂ nanoclusters instead of NH₂ and NH sites, where electrostatic interactions dominate over the bonding characteristics of the conjugate complexes. Furthermore, the presence of interactions between the CXB molecule and nanoclusters has also been evidenced by the UV–Vis absorption spectra and IR spectra. Molecular docking analysis has revealed that both adsorption states including CXB/Zn₁₂O₁₂ and CXB/Mg₁₂O₁₂ have good inhibitory potential against protein tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1 (IL-1), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Hence they might be explored as efficient TNF-α, IL-1, and HER2 inhibitors. Hence from the study, it can be anticipated that these nanoclusters can behave as an appropriate biomedical carrier for the CXB drug delivery.     

A theoretical study on the pure and doped ZnO nanoclusters as effective nanobiosensors for 5-fluorouracil anticancer drug adsorption

The electronic sensitivity and effectiveness of the pristine, Fe,- Mg-, Al- and Ga-doped ZnO nanoclusters interacted with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) anticancer drug are theoretically investigated in the gas phase using the B3LYP/wB97XD density functional theory calculations with LANL2DZ basis set. It is concluded that 5-FU adsorption on the doped nanoclusters has relatively higher adsorption energy as compared with the pristine zinc oxide. A number of thermodynamic parameters, such as band gap energy (E_g), adsorption energy (E_ad), molecular electrostatic potential, global hardness (η) and density of electronic states, are attained and compared. Also, calculated geometrical parameters and electronic properties for the studied systems indicate that Mg- and Ga-doped Zn₁₂O₁₂ present higher sensitivity to 5-FU compared with the pristine nanocluster. Theoretical results reveal that adsorption of 5-FU on the doped nanoclusters is influenced by the electronic conductance of the nanocluster. Therefore, Mg- and Ga-doped ZnO can be considered as promising nanobiosensors for detection of 5-FU in medicine.     

Theoretical studies of adsorption property on Ir_4/MgO and Ir_4/γ-Al_2O_3

The adsorption properties of atomic and molecular species on Ir4/MgO and Ir4/γ-Al2O3 have been systematically studied by means of planewave density functional theory(DFT)calculations using the periodic boundary conditions.The binding energies of these species were ordered as follows:H2O相似文献   

Adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons onto graphyne: Comparisons with graphene

Density functional theory calculations were implemented to expand the knowledge about graphyne and its interaction with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Due to the porous character of graphyne, the adsorption strength of PAHs onto graphyne surfaces is expected to be lower with respect to graphene (a perfect π‐extended system). However, there are not quantitative evidences for this assumption. This work shows that the adsorption strength of adsorbed PAHs onto γ‐graphyne nanosheets (GY) is weakened in 12 ? 23% with respect to the adsorption onto graphene, with a decrease of 10 ? 20% in the dispersive interactions. The adsorption energies (in eV) of the GY–PAH systems can be straightforward obtained as E _ads/eV≈0.033N _H + 0.031N _C, where N _H and N _C is the number of H and C atoms in the aromatic molecule, respectively. This equation predicts the binding energy of graphene–graphyne bilayers with a value of ～31 meV/atom. Analysis of the electronic properties shows that PAHs behaves as n‐dopants for GY, introducing electrons in GY and also reducing its bandgap in up to ～0.5 eV. Strong acceptor or donor substituted PAHs decrease the bandgap of γ‐graphyne in up to ～0.8 eV, with changes in its valence or conduction band, depending on the chemical nature of the adsorbate. Finally, these data will serve for future studies related to the bandgap engineering of graphyne surfaces by nonaggressive molecular doping, and for the development of graphyne‐based materials with potential applications in the removal of persistent aromatic pollutants.     

NO在Cu(111)表面吸附和分解的XPS和TPD研究：不同氧物种的影响

利用X射线光电子能谱和程序升温脱附谱研究了NO在清洁和预吸附氧的Cu(111)表面上的吸附和反应.通过改变NO的暴露量和退火温度,在Cu(111)表面可以制备出不同种类的化学吸附氧物种,其O 1s的结合能分别位于531.0 eV (O₅₃₁)和529.7 eV (O₅₂₉).表面O₅₃₁物种的存在对NO的不同吸附状态有着显著影响,同时使得大部分NO吸附分子(NO(a))在加热过程中发生分解并以N₂O和N₂形式脱附; 而表面O₅₂₉物种对NO(a)的解离脱附有着明显的抑制作用.相对于O₅₃₁物种来说,O₅₂₉物种对NO吸附表现出更强的位阻效应.上述结果表明,NO在Cu(111) 表面的吸附和分解行为与预吸附氧物种的种类和覆盖度密切相关.     

Inorganic Molecular Electride Mg4O3: Structure,Bonding, and Nonlinear Optical Properties

Growing demands of material science and, in particular, in the field of nonlinear optics (NLO) encourage us to look for stable highly polarizable molecules with excess diffuse electrons. An unusual class of compounds called electrides comply with these requirements. Many attempts have been made, yet only few electrides have been synthesized as solids and none of them as molecular species. In this paper, a new theoretically designed molecular species with electride characteristics is reported. The idea of this molecular electride comes from the formation of electride-like features in the MgO crystal with defect F-centers. The geometry of the investigated molecule can be described as a Mg₄O₄ cube with one oxygen atom removed. In Mg₄O₃, two 3s electrons are pushed out from the inner area of the molecule forming a diffuse electride multicentered bond. Our calculations show that this electride-like cluster possesses a noticeably large first hyperpolarizability β=5733 au. At the same time, a complete cube Mg₄O₄ and Mg₄O₃²⁺ without electride electron pair have much smaller β: 0 au and 741 au, respectively. This fact indicates the decisive role of the electride electron pair in NLO properties. Additionally, vertical detachment energies of isomers (VDE), excitation energies ΔE, polarizabilities α, and IR spectra were calculated. These properties, including β, are supposed to be observable experimentally and can serve as indirect evidence of the stable molecular electride formation.     

Quantum chemical analysis on hydrogenated Zn12O12 nanoclusters

We have performed a density functional theory study about adsorption of one or two hydrogen atoms on zinc oxide nanoclusters (Zn₁₂O₁₂) in terms of energetic, geometric, and electronic properties. The results showed that the first H atom strongly prefers to be adsorbed on O atoms of the cluster while preferable site for the second one is atop the Zn atoms. This finding has been rationalized using frontier molecular orbitals. The HOMO/LUMO energy gap of the cluster is dramatically reduced from 4.04 to 0.81 eV upon the adsorption of one hydrogen atom, suggesting that it is transformed to n-type semiconductor ascribed to the large charge transfer from the hydrogen to the cluster. It was found that the H adsorptions in all cases would facilitate the field electron emission from the cluster surface by shifting the Fermi level to higher energies and decreasing the work function.