A time-dependent density functional theory investigation of plasmon resonances of linear Au atomic chains

We report theoretical studies on the plasmon resonances in linear Au atomic chains by using ab initio time- dependent density functional theory. The dipole responses are investigated each as a function of chain length. They converge into a single resonance in the longitudinal mode but split into two transverse modes. As the chain length increases, the longitudinal plasmon mode is redshifted in energy while the transverse modes shift in the opposite direction （blueshifts）. In addition, the energy gap between the two transverse modes reduces with chain length increasing. We find that there are unique characteristics, different from those of other metallic chains. These characteristics are crucial to atomic-scale engineering of single-molecule sensing, optical spectroscopy, and so on.

Theoretical investigation on the excited state intramolecular proton transfer in Me_2N substituted flavonoid by the time-dependent density functional theory method

Time-dependent density functional theory（TDDFT） method is used to investigate the details of the excited state intramolecular proton transfer（ESIPT） process and the mechanism for temperature effect on the Enol＊/Keto＊emission ratio for the Me2N-substited flavonoid（MNF） compound. The geometric structures of the S0 and S1 states are denoted as the Enol, Enol＊, and Keto＊. In addition, the absorption and fluorescence peaks are also calculated. It is noted that the calculated large Stokes shift is in good agreement with the experimental result. Furthermore, our results confirm that the ESIPT process happens upon photoexcitation, which is distinctly monitored by the formation and disappearance of the characteristic peaks of infrared（IR） spectra involved in the proton transfer and in the potential energy curves. Besides, the calculations of highest occupied molecular orbital（HOMO） and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital（LUMO） reveal that the electronegativity change of proton acceptor due to the intramolecular charge redistribution in the S1 state induces the ESIPT. Moreover, the thermodynamic calculation for the MNF shows that the Enol＊/Keto＊emission ratio decreasing with temperature increasing arises from the barrier lowering of ESIPT.

Theoretical Study on the Optical Properties for 2,7- and 3,6-Linked Carbazole Trimers by Time-dependent Density Functional Theory

Electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies, band gaps, ionization potential （IP） and electron affinity （EA） of 2,7- and 3,6-1inked carbazole trimers, two conjugated oligomcrs with different linkages of carbazole, were studicd by the density functional theory with Becke-Lee-Young-Parr composite exchange correlation functional （B3LYP）. The absorption spectra of these compounds were also investigated by time-dependent density functional theory （TD-DFT） with 6-3 IG＊ basis set. The calculated results indicated that the HOMO and LUMO of the 2,7- and 3,6-1inked carbazole trimers are both slightly destabilized on going from methyl substitution to sec-butyl substitution. Both IP and EA exhibit their good hole-transporting but poor electronaccepting ability. The presence of alkyl groups on the nitrogen atoms does not affect the intra-chain electronic delocalization along the molecular frame. Thus no significant effect on the band gap and absorption spectra of compounds has been found.

Density functional theory study of B- and Si-doped carbons and their adsorption interactions with sulfur compounds

Understanding the adsorption interactions between carbon materials and sulfur compounds has far-reaching impacts,in addition to their well-known important role in energy storage and conversion,such as lithium-ion batteries.In this paper,properties of intrinsic B or Si single-atom doped,and B-Si codoped graphene(GR)and graphdiyne(GDY)were investigated by using density functional theory-based calculations,in which the optimal doping configurations were explored for potential applications in adsorbing sulfur compounds.Results showed that both B or Si single-atom doping and B-Si codoping could substantially enhance the electron transport properties of GR and GDY,improving their surface activity.Notably,B and Si atoms displayed synergistic effects for the codoped configurations,where B-Si codoped GR/GDY exhibited much better performance in the adsorption of sulfurcontaining chemicals than single-atom doped systems.In addition,results demonstrated that,after B-Si codoping,the adsorption energy and charge transfer amounts of GDY with sulfur compounds were much larger than those of GR,indicating that B-Si codoped GDY might be a favorable material for more effectively interacting with sulfur reagents.

Local thermal conductivity of inhomogeneous nano-fluidic films:A density functional theory perspective

Combining the mean field Pozhar-Gubbins(PG)theory and the weighted density approximation,a novel method for local thermal conductivity of inhomogeneous fluids is proposed.The correlation effect that is beyond the mean field treatment is taken into account by the simulation-based empirical correlations.The application of this method to confined argon in slit pore shows that its prediction agrees well with the simulation results,and that it performs better than the original PG theory as well as the local averaged density model(LADM).In its further application to the nano-fluidic films,the influences of fluid parameters and pore parameters on the thermal conductivity are calculated and investigated.It is found that both the local thermal conductivity and the overall thermal conductivity can be significantly modulated by these parameters.Specifically,in the supercritical states,the thermal conductivity of the confined fluid shows positive correlation to the bulk density as well as the temperature.However,when the bulk density is small,the thermal conductivity exhibits a decrease-increase transition as the temperature is increased.This is also the case in which the temperature is low.In fact,the decrease-increase transition in both the small-bulk-density and low-temperature cases arises from the capillary condensation in the pore.Furthermore,smaller pore width and/or stronger adsorption potential can raise the critical temperature for condensation,and then are beneficial to the enhancement of the thermal conductivity.These modulation behaviors of the local thermal conductivity lead immediately to the significant difference of the overall thermal conductivity in different phase regions.

Sensitivity impacts owing to the variations in the type of zero-range pairing forces on the fission properties using the density functional theory

Using the Skyrme density functional theory,potential energy surfaces of^(240)Pu with constraints on the axial quadrupole and octupole deformations(q_(20)and q_(30))were calculated.The volume-like and surface-like pairing forces,as well as a combination of these two forces,were used for the Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov approximation.Variations in the least-energy fission path,fission barrier,pairing energy,total kinetic energy,scission line,and mass distribution of the fission fragments based on the different forms of the pairing forces were analyzed and discussed.The fission dynamics were studied based on the timedependent generator coordinate method plus the Gaussian overlap approximation.The results demonstrated a sensitivity of the mass and charge distributions of the fission fragments on the form of the pairing force.Based on the investigation of the neutron-induced fission of^(239)Pu,among the volume,mixed,and surface pairing forces,the mixed pairing force presented a good reproduction of the experimental data.

Chiroptical properties of artemisinin and artemether investigated using time-dependent density functional theory

Chiroptical properties including electronic circular dichroism（ECD） and optical rotatory dispersion（ORD） of artemisinin and artemether have been fully studied using quantum-chemical calculation based on time-dependent density functional theory.Both theoretical ECD and ORD of these two compounds were in good match with the experimental data.ECD spectrum of artemether could be totally attributed to the peroxide group,and that of artemisinin was an overlay of contribution from δ-lactone and peroxide moieties,which leading to a positive maximum at 260 nm.Our results showed that peroxide group could produce a broad ECD band in the far-UV region originated from electron transitions of HOMO →LUMO,HOMO-1 →LUMO and HOMO-2 →LUMO in the case of artemether.This work provided a theoretical interpretation of the ECD behavior of peroxide bond.

Calculation of microscopic nuclear level densities based on covariant density functional theory

In this study,a microscopic method for calculating the nuclear level density(NLD)based on the covariant density functional theory(CDFT)is developed.The particle-hole state density is calculated by a combinatorial method using single-particle level schemes obtained from the CDFT,and the level densities are then obtained by considering collective effects such as vibration and rotation.Our results are compared with those of other NLD models,including phenomenological,microstatisti-cal and nonrelativistic Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov combinatorial models.This comparison suggests that the general trends among these models are essentially the same,except for some deviations among the different NLD models.In addition,the NLDs obtained using the CDFT combinatorial method with normalization are compared with experimental data,including the observed cumulative number of levels at low excitation energies and the measured NLDs.The CDFT combinatorial method yields results that are in reasonable agreement with the existing experimental data.

Solvent effects on Diels-Alder reaction in ionic liquids:A reaction density functional study

Extensive experimental studies have been performed on the Diels-Alder(DA)reactions in ionic liquids(ILs),which demonstrate that the IL environment can significantly influence the reaction rates and selectivity.However,the underlying microscopic mechanism remains ambiguous.In this work,the multiscale reaction density functional theory is applied to explore the effect of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate([BMIM][PF_(6)])solvent on the reaction of cyclopentadiene(CP)with acrolein,methyl acrylate,or acrylonitrile.By analyzing the free energy landscape during the reaction,it is found that the polarization effect has a relatively small influence,while the solvation effect makes both the activation free energy and reaction free energy decrease.In addition,the rearrangement of local solvent structure shows that the cation spatial distribution responds more evidently to the reaction than the anion,and this indicates that the cation plays a dominant role in the solvation effect and so as to affect the reaction rates and selectivity of the DA reactions.

Time-dependent density functional theory for quantum transport

电子设备的快速的小型化在量运输激发研究兴趣。最近，时间依赖者量运输成为了一个重要研究话题。这里，我们在时间依赖者的发展考察最近的进步为包括理论基础和数字算法的量运输的密度功能的理论。特别地，还原剂单人赛电子密度矩阵基于运动的层次方程，它能从 Liouville-von Neumann 方程被导出，在细节被考察。数字实现被讨论，现实主义的设备的模拟结果将被给。

Studies on Optical Properties of Si220 Nanoclusters viaTime-dependent Density Functional Theory Calculations

The optical properties of bare and hydrogen passivated Si220 nanoclusters（NCs） in four typical motifs（i.e.,bulk-like, onion-like, bucky-diamond and icosahedral motifs） were studied via time-dependent density functionaltheory（TD-DFT） calculations. The calculation results show that there is a significant blue shift in the optical absorp-tion spectra when the Si NCs are passivated with hydrogen. A strong absorption peak in the visible light region ap-years for the hydrogenated bulk-like, onion-like and bucky-diamond Si NCs.

Investigation of the structural, electronic and mechanical properties of CaO–SiO_(2) compound particles in steel based on density functional theory

CaO–SiO_(2)compounds compromise one of the most common series of oxide particles in liquid steels, which could significantly affect the service performance of the steels as crack initiation sites. However, the structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of the compounds in CaO–SiO_(2)system are still not fully clarified due to the difficulties in the experiments. In this study, a thorough investigation of these properties of CaO–SiO_(2)compound particles in steels was conducted based on first-principles density functional theory. Corresponding phases were determined by thermodynamic calculation, including gamma dicalcium silicate(γ-C2S), alpha-prime(L) dicalcium silicate(αL′-C2S), alpha-prime(H) dicalcium silicate(αH′-C2S), alpha dicalcium silicate(α-C2S), rankinite(C3S2), hatrurite(C3S), wollastonite(CS), and pseudowollastonite(Ps-CS). The results showed that the calculated crystal structures of the eight phases agree well with the experimental results. All the eight phases are stable according to the calculated formation energies, and γ-C2S is the most stable. O atom contributes the most to the reactivity of these phases. The Young’s modulus of the eight phases is in the range of 100.63–132.04 GPa. Poisson’s ratio is in the range of0.249–0.281. This study provided further understanding concerning the CaO–SiO_(2)compound particles in steels and fulfilled the corresponding property database, paving the way for inclusion engineering and design in terms of fracture-resistant steels.

Ultra-deep Removal of Metal Ions from Coal Tar by Complexation:Experimental Studies and Density Functional Theory Simulations

As one of the important aspects of upgrading coal tar,the ultra-deep removal of metal ions via the complexation method was investigated by screening four complexing agents and performing density functional theory(DFT)simulations.Analysis of the compositions and contents of the metallic compounds in the coal tar revealed that the main components were iron and calcium naphthenates.Direct filtration reduced the mechanical impurity content from 0.24%to 0.0752%,indicating that most of the large particles could be easily removed.Among the four complexing agents,namely,acetic acid,oxalic acid,citric acid,and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid,oxalic acid exhibited the best demetallization performance.The DFT simulations suggested that the high performance of oxalic acid originated from its 1:1 coordination mode,rigid dicarboxyl structure,and greater binding energy.

Hydrogen evolution reaction between small-sized Zr_(n)(n=2–5)clusters and water based on density functional theory

Density functional theory(DFT)is used to calculate the most stable structures of Zr_(n)(n=2-5)clusters as well as the adsorption energy values of Zr_(n)(n=2-5)clusters after adsorbing single water molecule.The results reveal that there is a significant linear relationship between the adsorption energy values and the energy gaps of the Zr_(n)(n=2-5)clusters.Furthermore,the calculations of the reaction paths between Zr_(n)(n=2-5)and single water molecule show that water molecule can react with Zr_(n)(n=2-5)clusters to dissociate,producing hydrogen,and O atoms mix with the clusters to generate Zr_(n)O(n=2-5),all of which are exothermic reactions.According to the released energy,the Zr4 cluster is the most efficient in Zr_(n)(n=2-5)clusters reacting with single water molecule.The natural population analysis(NPA)and density of states(DOS)demonstrate the production of hydrogen and orbital properties in different energy ranges,respectively,jointly forecasting that Zr_(n)O(n=2-5)will probably continue to react with more water molecules.Our findings contribute to better understanding of Zr's chemical reactivity,which can conduce to the development of effective Zr-based catalysts and hydrogen-production methods.

Density Functional Theory Study of Marine Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Anaerobic Degradation

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)are a kind of serious pollutants in the ocean.Biodegradation is considered as an economical and safe way for PBDEs removal and reductive debromination dominates the initial pathway of anaerobic degradation.On the basis of experimental study,Octa-BDE 197,Hepta-BDE 183,Hexa-BDE 153,Penta-BDE 99 and Tetra-BDE 47 were selected as the initial degradation objects,and their debromination degradation were studied using density functional theory.The structures were optimized by Gaussian 09 program.Furthermore,the molecular orbitals and charge distribution were analyzed.All C-Br bond dissociation energies at different positions including ortho,meta and para bromine atoms were calculated and the sequence of debromination was obtained.There is a close relationship between molecular structure,charge,molecular orbital and C-Br bond.All PBDEs exhibited similar debromination pathways with preferential removal of meta and para bromines.

Direct atomic-level insight into oxygen reduction reaction on size-dependent Pt-based electrocatalysts from density functional theory calculations

Developing novel oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)catalysts with high activity is urgent for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.Herein,we investigated a group of size-dependent Pt-based catalysts as promising ORR catalysts by density functional theory calculations,ranging from single-atom,nanocluster to bulk Pt catalysts.The results showed that the ORR overpotential of these Pt-based catalysts increased when its size enlarged to the nanoparticle scale or reduced to the single-atom scale,and the Pt_(38)cluster had the lowest ORR overpotential(0.46 V)compared with that of Pt_(111)(0.57 V)and single atom Pt(0.7 V).Moreover,we established a volcano curve relationship between the ORR overpotential and binding energy of O*(ΔE_(O*),confirming the intermediate species anchored on Pt38cluster with suitable binding energy located at top of volcano curve.The interaction between intermediate species and Pt-based catalysts were also investigated by the charge distribution and projected density of state and which further confirmed the results of volcano curve.

Time-dependent density functional theoretical studies on the photo-induced dynamics of an HCI molecule encapsulated in C60 under femtosecond laser pulses

By using first-principles simulations based on time-dependent density functional theory, the chemical reaction of an HCl molecule encapsulated in C60 induced by femtosecond laser pulses is observed. The H atom starts to leave the Cl atom and is reflected by the C60 wall. The coherent nuclear dynamic behaviors of bond breakage and recombination of the HCl molecule occurring in both polarized parallel and perpendicular to the H-Cl bond axis are investigated. The radial oscillation is also found in the two polarization directions of the laser pulse. The relaxation time of the H-Cl bond lengths in transverse polarization is slow in comparison with that in longitudinal polarization. Those results are important for studying the dynamics of the chemical bond at an atomic level.

A novel algorithm for evaluating cement azimuthal density based on perturbation theory in horizontal well

Cement density monitoring plays a vital role in evaluating the quality of cementing projects,which is of great significance to the development of oil and gas.However,the presence of inhomogeneous cement distribution and casing eccentricity in horizontal wells often complicates the accurate evaluation of cement azimuthal density.In this regard,this paper proposes an algorithm to calculate the cement azimuthal density in horizontal wells using a multi-detector gamma-ray detection system.The spatial dynamic response functions are simulated to obtain the influence of cement density on gamma-ray counts by the perturbation theory,and the contribution of cement density in six sectors to the gamma-ray recorded by different detectors is obtained by integrating the spatial dynamic response functions.Combined with the relationship between gamma-ray counts and cement density,a multi-parameter calculation equation system is established,and the regularized Newton iteration method is employed to invert casing eccentricity and cement azimuthal density.This approach ensures the stability of the inversion process while simultaneously achieving an accuracy of 0.05 g/cm^(3) for the cement azimuthal density.This accuracy level is ten times higher compared to density accuracy calculated using calibration equations.Overall,this algorithm enhances the accuracy of cement azimuthal density evaluation,provides valuable technical support for the monitoring of cement azimuthal density in the oil and gas industry.

Effects of zinc on χ-Fe_(5)C_(2) for carbon dioxide hydrogenation to olefins:Insights from experimental and density function theory calculations

Production of light olefins from CO_(2), the primary greenhouse gases, is of great importance to mitigate the adverse effects of CO_(2) emission on environment and to supply the value-added products from nonpetroleum resource. However, development of robust catalyst with controllable selectivity and stability remains a challenge. Herein, we report that Zn-promoted Fe catalyst can boost the stable and selective production of light olefins from CO_(2). Specifically, the Zn-promoted Fe exhibits a highly stable activity and olefin selectivity over 200 h time-on-stream compared to the unpromoted Fe catalyst, primarily owing to the preservation of active χ-Fe_(5)C_(2) phase. Structural characterizations of the spent catalysts suggest that Zn substantially regulates the content of iron carbide on the surface and suppresses the reoxidation of bulk iron carbide during the reaction. DFT calculations confirm that adsorption of surface carbon atoms and graphene-like carbonaceous species are not thermochemically favored on Zn-promoted Fe catalyst. Carbon deposition by CAC coupling reactions of two surface carbon atoms and dehydrogenation of CH intermediate are also inhibited. Furthermore, the effects of Zn on antioxidation of iron carbide were also investigated. Zn favored the hydrogenation of surface adsorbed oxygen atoms to H_(2)O and the desorption of H_(2)O, which reduces the possibility of surface carbide being oxidized by the chemisorbed oxygen.