Study of weak interactions of boron nitride nanotubes with anticancer drug by quantum chemical calculations

Tailoring optical and photocatalytic properties of sulfur-doped boron nitride quantum dots via ligand functionalization

Boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) have emerged as promising photocatalysts due to their excellent physicochemical properties. This study investigates strategies to enhance the photocatalytic performance of BNQDs through sulfur-doping (S-BNQDs) and edge-functionalization with ligands (urea, thiourea, p-phenyl-enediamine (PPD)). To analyze the geometry, electronic structure, optical absorption, charge transfer, and photocatalytic parameters of pristine and functionalized S-BNQDs, we performed density functional theory calculations. The results showed that S-doping and ligand functionalization tune the bandgap, band energies, and introduce mid-gap states to facilitate light absorption, charge separation, and optimized energetics for photocatalytic redox reactions. Notably, the PPD ligand induced the most substantial bandgap narrowing and absorption edge red-shift by over 1 electron volt (eV) compared to pristine S-BNQD, significantly expanding light harvesting. Additionally, urea and PPD functionalization increased the charge transfer length by up to 2.5 times, effectively reducing recombination. On the other hand, thiourea functionalization yielded the most favorable electron injection energetics. The energy conversion efficiency followed the order: PPD (15.0%) > thiourea (12.0%) > urea (11.0%) > pristine (10.0%). Moreover, urea functionalization maximized the first-order hyperpolarizability, enhancing light absorption. These findings provide valuable insights into tailoring S-BNQDs through strategic doping and functionalization to develop highly efficient, customized photocatalysts for sustainable applications.

New Cap-Holed AlP, GaP, and InP Nanotubes

The structural, vibrational, and electronic properties of new inorganic X-phosphide nanotubes (ch-XPNT), with X = Al, Ga, or In and chirality of (5,5), are investigated. These new NTs display cap-hole ends, with the cap-hole features induced by the nonpassivated ends. Studies are based on density functional theory (DFT) using the M06-2X, PBE, and B3LYP functionals together with the LanL2DZ basis set. All nanostructures have been relaxed by minimizing the total energy, assuming a nonmagnetic nature and a total neutral charge. Note that the cap-hole NTs are terminated by a 10-atom ring, which in turn favors the geometrical ordering and yields stable structures. The (5,5) ch-XPNT are highly electrophilic and nonpolar, in addition to having high solvation energy values. Let us remark that solvation energies are produced by the intermolecular forces that involve the induced dipoles. Structural and vibrational results show that the X-P bonds are single bonds. Finally, results suggest that the inorganic nanotubes are structurally stable with semiconductor features, which means that their functionalization may yield interesting future applications.

Structural Stability and Electronic Properties of Boron Phosphide Nanotubes: A Density Functional Theory Perspective

Based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, we analyze the structural and electronic properties of boron phosphide nanotubes (BPNTs) as functions of chirality. The DFT calculations are performed using the M06-2X method in conjunction with the 6-31G(d) divided valence basis set. All nanostructures, (n,0) BPNT (n = 5–8, 10, 12, 14) and (n,n) BPNT (n = 3–11), were optimized minimizing the total energy, assuming a non-magnetic nature and a total charge neutrality. Results show that the BPNT diameter size increases linearly with the chiral index “n” for both chiralities. According to the global molecular descriptors, the (3,3) BPNT is the most stable structure provided that it shows the largest global hardness value. The low chirality (5,0) BPNT has a strong electrophilic character, and it is the most conductive system due to the small |HOMO-LUMO| energy gap. The chemical potential and electrophilicity index in the zigzag-type BPNTs show remarkable chirality-dependent behavior. The increase in diameter/chirality causes a gradual decrease in the |HOMO-LUMO| energy gap for the zigzag BPNTs; however, in the armchair-type BPNTs, a phase transition is generated from a semiconductor to a conductor system. Therefore, the nanostructures investigated in this work may be suggested for both electrical and biophysical applications.