Carbon dioxide adsorption and activation on ionic liquid decorated Au(111) surface: A DFT study

Exploring the Conformational Space of a Sulfonyl-Based Ionic Liquid on Platinum-Based Mono and Bimetallic Surfaces

Understanding the arrangement of ionic liquids at the interface and their interactions with the surface is crucial for enhancing selectivity in heterogeneous reactions for practical applications. In this study, we investigate the nature of the adsorption and structural orientations of a sulfonyl-based ionic liquid on platinum-based mono- and bimetallic (111) surfaces employing replica exchange molecular dynamics and first-principles density functional theory calculations. More than 30 confirmations of the ionic liquid are identified on both monometallic and bimetallic surfaces. In addition to adsorption energies, factors such as dynamics of ionic liquids, molecule-surface distances, and charge transfer analyses are found to be important indicators for understanding adsorption phenomena. The sulfonyl anion exhibits contrasting behavior on the two surfaces, showing a preference for chemisorption on the monometallic surface, while the pyrrolidinium cation is physisorbed on both metal surfaces. Both metal surfaces are negatively charged primarily because of charge transfer from the sulfonyl anion. The analysis of the orientational preference reveals a nearly flat orientation of the cation on the monometallic surface, while a tilted orientation is observed on the bimetallic surface.

A comprehensive review of enhanced CO2 capture using activated carbon derived from biomass feedstock

The increasing level of atmospheric CO2 requires the urgent development of effective capture technologies. This comprehensive review thoroughly examines various methods for the synthesis of carbon materials, modification techniques for converting biomass feedstock into carbon materials and pivotal factors impacting their properties. The novel aspect of this review is its in-depth comparison of how these modifications specifically affect the pore structure and surface area together with the exploration of the mechanism underlying the enhancement of CO2 adsorption performance. Additionally, this review addresses research gaps and provides recommendations for future studies concerning the advantages and drawbacks of CO2 adsorbents and their prospects for commercialization and economic feasibility. This article revealed that among the various strategies, template carbonization offers a viable option for providing control of the material pore diameter and structure without additional modification treatments. Optimizing the pore structure of activated carbons, particularly those activated with agents such as KOH and ZnCl2, together with synthesizing hybrid activated carbons using multiple activating agents, is crucial for enhancing their CO2 capture performance. Cost-benefit analysis suggests that biomass-derived activated carbons can significantly meet the escalating demand for CO2 capture materials, offering economic advantages and supporting sustainable waste management.

Microhydration of small protonated polyaromatic hydrocarbons: a first principles study

Using first principles methodology, we investigate the microsolvation of protonated benzene (BzH+), protonated coronene (CorH+) and protonated dodecabenzocoronene (DbcH+). Gas phase complexes of these small protonated polyaromatic hydrocarbons (H+PAHs) with mono-, di-, and tri-hydrated water molecules are considered. Their most stable forms are presented, where we discuss their structural, energetic aromaticity and IR and UV spectral features. In particular, we focus on the analysis of the bonding and various non-bonded interactions between these protonated aromatics and water clusters. The strength of non-bonded interactions is quantified and correlated with their electron density profiles. Furthermore, insights into the interfacial interactions and stability of these complexes were obtained through non-covalent index and symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0) analyses. We also discuss the effects of the extension of the π aromatic cloud on the water solvation of these protonated aromatics. In particular, we extended our predictions for the S0 → S1 and S0 → T1 wavelength transitions of micro hydrated H+PAHs to deduce those of these species solvated in aqueous solution. The present findings should be useful for understanding, at the microscopic level, the effects of water interacting with H+PAHs, which are relevant for organic chemistry, astrochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, combustion and materials science.

Dual-wavelength electrochemiluminescence biosensor based on a multifunctional Zr MOFs@PEI@AuAg nanocomposite with intramolecular self-enhancing effect for simultaneous detection of dual microRNAs

Rapid parallel detection of multi-targets has always been an exploration aim in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assays. Herein, a multifunctional nanocomposite of Zr metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) @PEI@AuAg nanoclusters (NCs) with intense and stable dual-wavelength ECL was synthesized for the first time, and used to construct a new ECL biosensor for rapid simultaneous detection of dual targets. Notably, the novel ECL emitter Zr MOFs with high-performance was not only integrated with a co-reactant polyethyleneimine (PEI) to form a unique intramolecular self-enhancing structure, but also loaded a large number of another ECL emitter AuAg NCs, furthermore, AuAg NCs with superior electron transfer property can much enhance the electrical conductivity of the composites, thus achieving the goal of "killing three birds with one stone". Moreover, a unique stable and rigid three-dimensional DNA tetrahedron (TDN) structure was connected with two quenching probes BHQ1 and BHQ3 and immobilized on the composites-modified electrode, so ECL emission of the nanocomposites at two wavelengths of 535 nm and 644 nm were both quenched by resonance energy transfer (RET). In the presence of target miRNAs, the efficient DNA cycling double-amplification processes were performed by using exonuclease (T7 Exo) combined with DNA Walker, thus both quenching groups were separated to restore the ECL at two wavelengths, achieving simultaneous and rapid ECL detection of two miRNAs. Therefore, this present work not only opens a unique nanocomplex with dual wavelength ECL and self-enhancing performance, but also develops a highly sensitive ECL biosensor with promising value for rapid multi-target analysis in clinical fields.