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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Understanding the Relativistic Generalization of Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Completing It in Practice

In 2014, 50 years following the introduction of density functional theory (DFT), a rigorous understanding of it was published [AIP Advances, 4, 127,104 (2014)]. This understanding includes two features that complete the theory in practice, inasmuch as they are necessary for its correct application in electronic structure calculations;this understanding elucidates what appears to have been the crucial misunderstanding for 50 years, namely, the confusion between a stationary solution, attainable with most basis sets, following self-consistent iterations, with the ground state solution. The latter is obtained by a calculation that employs the well-defined optimal basis set for the system. The aim of this work is to review the above understanding and to extend it to the relativistic generalization of density functional theory by Rajagopal and Callaway [Phys. Rev. B7, 1912 (1973)]. This extension straightforwardly follows similar steps taken in the non-relativistic case, with the four-component current density, in the former, replacing the electronic charge density, in the latter. This new understanding, which completes relativistic DFT in practice, is expected to be needed for the study of heavy atoms and of materials (from molecules to solids) containing them—as is the case for some high temperature superconductors.

A Density Functional Theory (DFT) Investigation on the Structure and Spectroscopic Behavior of 2-Aminoterephthalic Acid and Its Sodium Salts

As a substitute for lithium ion batteries, Na chemistry for ion battery systems is promising materials for energy storage applications for the next generation. Herein, the structures, IR and UV-visible spectra of 2-aminoterephthalic acid (H2ATA), disodium 2-aminoterephthalate (Na2ATA), trisodium 2-aminotere-phthalate (Na3ATA) and tetrasodium 2-aminoterephthalate (Na4ATA) have been studied using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)). The theoretical geometric parameters and FTIR results showed very good agreement with the experimental results. Different conformers of Na2ATA, Na3ATA and Na4ATA showed that the binding energy per sodium in Na2ATA, Na3ATA and Na4ATA is -694.94, -543.44 and -407.46 kJ/mol, respectively. The Na3ATA and Na4ATA salts are higher in energy (151.46 and 287.48 kJ/mol, respectively) than Na2ATA, indicating the higher stability of the Na2ATA complex. The calculated binding energy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy of Na2ATA, Na3ATA and Na4ATA revealed that the compounds are thermodynamically stable. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of Na2ATA, Na3ATA and Na4ATA indicated that the major interaction occurs between the lone pair electrons of the oxygen atom and anti-bonding orbitals of carbon atoms of the two carboxylate ions. UV-visible spectrum of the free H2ATA and its sodium salts Na2ATA, Na3ATA and Na4ATA were performed using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method at the level of B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p). The frontier molecular orbital energetic parameters and global reactivity descriptors revealed that the Na4ATA and Na3ATA complexes exhibited a higher band gap (ΔEgap) and electronegativity (χeV) than Na2ATA.

A polyene chain of canthaxanthin investigated by temperature-dependent resonance Raman spectra and density functional theory (DFT) calculations

We report on a temperature-dependent resonance Raman spectral characterization of the polyene chain of canthaxanthin. It is observed that all vibrational intensities of the polyene chain are inversely proportional to temperature, which is analyzed by the resonance Raman effect and the coherent weakly damped electron/lattice vibrations. The increase in intensity of the CC overtone/combination relative to the fundamental with temperature decreasing is detected and discussed in terms of electron/phonon coupling and the activation energy U op . Moreover, the polyene chain studies using the density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G* level reveal a prominent peak at 1525 cm 1 consisting of two closely spaced modes that are both dominated by C=C stretching coordinates of the polyene chain.

LiODFP在锂离子电池正极氧化分解的DFT研究

使用密度泛函理论(DFT),研究锂盐二氟二草酸磷酸锂(LiODFP)作为成膜添加剂在锂离子电池正极的作用机理。各研究体系的氧化电势理论计算值的排列顺序为:碳酸酯(包括EC、PC、EMC和DMC)>ODFP^(-)(单分子)≈碳酸酯-ODFP^(-)配合物。ODFP^(-)优先于碳酸酯发生氧化反应,ODFP^(-)结构分解的路径比EC分子分解的路径更容易进行。EC+ODFP^(-)-e体系可能发生的分解反应路径是ODFP^(-)结构开环,生成CO、CO_(2)和自由基R1。R1可能进一步发生自由基终止反应,生成含有氟代磷酸盐单体的低聚物,从而抑制碳酸酯溶剂分子的氧化分解。

SO_(2)对K2CO_(3)吸附CO_(2)性能影响的实验及DFT机理研究

电站锅炉的尾气在脱硫后含有微量的SO_(2),导致CO_(2)吸附剂性能变差。根据电厂烟气的组分,采用模拟烟气在实验室条件下对K2CO_(3)吸附剂的CO_(2)吸附性能及SO_(2)对CO_(2)吸附的影响进行实验研究。结合XRD分析,利用密度泛函理论(density functional theory,DFT)对SO_(2)在K2CO_(3)吸附剂上的影响及CO_(2)吸附机理进行理论研究。结果表明,受SO_(2)分子S原子活跃的s轨道影响,S的p轨道及O原子活性均增强,与K2CO_(3)表面O原子价带顶能带简并,SO_(2)被优先吸附在K2CO_(3)表面的O顶位,并将CO_(2)推离吸附剂表面,导致吸附剂活性位点虽有空余却无法吸附CO_(2)。在实验中表现为:模拟烟气中CO_(2)体积浓度为10%时,气氛中体积浓度为0.007%的SO_(2)会使吸附剂的吸附量由1.65 mmol/g降低至1.01 mmol/g。提出CO_(2)与H2O在K2CO_(3)(001)表面的吸附机理,理论计算的反应活化能为40.7 kJ/mol,反应热为-54.9 kJ/mol。

Chemical Concepts from Density Functional Theory

Chemical concepts such as structure,bonding,reactivity,etc.have been widely used in the literature and text books to appreciate molecular properties and chemical transformations.Even though modern theoretical and computational chemistry is well established from the perspective of accuracy and complexity,how to quantify these concepts is a still unresolved task.Conceptual density functional theory and its related recent developments provide unique opportunities to tackle this problem.In this Special Issue,27 contributions from top investigators over the world are collected to highlight the state-of-art research on this topic,which not only showcases the status of where we are now but also unveils a number to possible future directions to be pursued.

石墨炭负载单原子铁催化剂非均相还原NO的微观作用机理:DFT研究

基于密度泛函理论和经典过渡态理论,探究了石墨炭负载单原子Fe催化剂(Fe/G)异相还原NO的微观机理,并对催化剂失活原因进行分析。结果表明,基于E-R机理,NO还原反应依次经历了N_(2)O形成与释放、N_(2)形成与释放四个阶段。而基于L-H机理,NO还原反应主要经历了N_(2)形成与释放两个阶段。在E-R机理作用下,NO分子以N,O-down结构吸附在Fe原子上发生的NO还原反应的控速步骤能垒值仅为15.5 kJ/mol,小于其余路径控速步骤能垒值。由能垒角度分析,Fe原子上残留的活性氧被还原的能垒值高于NO还原生成N_(2)的能垒值。NO分解后残留在Fe原子表面的活性氧抑制了NO的吸附与还原,Fe原子活性位的缺失导致催化剂的失活,单原子Fe的存在促进了NO还原反应的进行。由动力学角度分析,随着反应温度的升高,NO还原速率较活性氧转移速率提升更为显著。

铜催化草酸二甲酯加氢副产物1,2-丙二醇生成机理的DFT研究

利用密度泛函理论对Cu(111)及Cu_(2)O(111)表面上草酸二甲酯加氢副产物1,2-丙二醇(1,2-PDO)的生成机理进行了探究,计算了两种表面上1,2-PDO生成的不同反应路径基元步骤的热力学数据以及所涉及物种的吸附行为,进行了局域态密度以及差分电荷密度分析,阐明了铜催化剂的主要活性位点及1,2-PDO生成的主要路径。结果表明,1,2-PDO主要由乙二醇和甲醇于Cu_(2)O(111)表面通过Guerbet醇缩合反应生成,具体包括醇脱氢、羟醛缩合以及不饱和醛加氢三个过程。Cu_(2)O(111)表面Cu_(us)^(+)及O_(suf)^(-)位点形成的Lewis酸碱对能够促进反应物、产物及反应中间体的吸附且对于1,2-PDO生成过程的整体催化活性更高。Cu_(2)O(111)表面的O_(suf)^(-)位点是醇类脱氢生成醛、羟醛缩合过程中生成烯醇物种以及不饱和醛类中间体加氢的主要活性中心,而C-C偶联反应则发生在Cu_(us)^(+)金属位点上。论文研究结果可为铜催化剂设计和改性以及草酸酯加氢工艺的优化提供理论指导。

Electronic structure and flotability of gold-bearing pyrite:A density functional theory study

Various incorporation of Au in pyrite and its effects on the geometrical structure,electronic structure and flotability of pyrite were theoretically investigated and fully discussed by performing density functional theory(DFT).The calculated incorporation energy shows that gold would most likely exist in pyrite via incorporating into interstitial lattice sites in the absence of As impurity.As a result of incorporated Au,the covalence levels of the S—Fe and S—S bonds are changed,and the tonicity of Au—S bonds and antibonding of Au—Fe bonds are found to form in the pyrite,which would change the natural flotability of pyrite.The Au impurity energy levels are introduced into the energy band and result in the transformation of pyrite semiconductivity type.The calculated band-gap value suggests that the incorporated Au significantly decreases pyrite semiconductivity level,which enhances the formation and the adsorption stability of dixanthogen during pyrite flotation.The DOS results reveal that the stability and depression difficulty level of pyrites increases in the following order:Fe_(32)S_(63)As<Fe_(32)S_(64)<Fe_(32)S_(63)As Au<Fe_(32)S_(64)Au.

Hartree-Fock and Density Functional Theory Studies on the Molecular Recognition of the Cyclodextrin

This study involves initial Hartree-Fock and Density Functional theory calculations onthe molecular recognition of the cyclodextrins. The α-cyclodextrin-acetophenone complexationsystem was investigated with PM3, HF/3-21G* and B3LYP/3-21G* methods. The results indicatedthat the inclusion orientation in which the acetyl group of the acetophenone points towards thesecondary hydroxyls of the a-cyclodextrin was preferable in energy. The steric effect wassupposed as the physical reason of such a behavior Hence, the simple rule the anti-parallelarrangement of the dipoles of the host and guest molecules in the cyclodextrin complexqtion is notgenerally applicable.