Boron trifluoride interaction studies on graphdiyne nanotubes – A first-principles insight

Density functional theory study of the electronic and optical properties of pentagraphyne nanotubes

Pentagraphyne (PG-yne), a recently predicted two-dimensional (2D) carbon allotrope with appealing properties, has opened up possibilities for a wide range of applications. In this study, we investigate the structural, electronic, optical, and electrical transport properties of a novel one-dimensional (1D) system called pentagraphyne nanotubes (PG-yneNTs), formed by rolling a PG-yne sheet, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We design PG-yneNTs with diameters ranging from 6.94 Å to 13.62 Å and employ state-of-the-art theoretical calculations to confirm their energetic, dynamic, and thermodynamic stability. Our electronic band structure calculations reveal that all these nanotubes are wide indirect band gap semiconductors. Remarkably, PG-yneNTs exhibit superior optical properties, including high absorption coefficients and absorption spectra covering the visible regime of the electromagnetic spectrum, making them potential candidates for visible-light-driven photocatalysis and solar cells. Interestingly, both the electronic and optical band gaps increase with the diameter of the nanotubes. Additionally, the observation of negative differential resistance (NDR) phenomena in (4, 0) PG-yneNT suggests their potential applications in NDR devices such as fast switches, frequency multipliers, and memory devices.

First-principles study of a SiC nanosheet as an effective material for nitrosourea and carmustine anti-cancer drug delivery

The development of novel nanosheet-based drug delivery systems requires a systematic understanding of the interactions between the drug and the nanosheet carrier under various physiological environments. In this work, we investigated electronic and quantum molecular descriptors of a SiC monolayer adsorbed with the anticancer drugs nitrosourea (NU) and carmustine (BCNU) using density functional theory (DFT). Our calculations revealed negative adsorption energies for both drugs, indicating a spontaneous and energetically favorable adsorption process. Density of states and orbital population analysis studies revealed that both drugs are capable of significantly (>30%) narrowing the gap between HOMO and LUMO, depending on the configuration of the adsorption complex. Furthermore, the electronic and quantum molecular descriptors were investigated in gas and water mediums to explore the effect of the solvent on the adsorption process. Our calculations predict a higher narrowing of the HOMO-LUMO gap in the water phase compared to the gas phase. Besides, a modest reduction in global hardness and a marked increase in the global electrophilicity index were observed after the adsorption of the drug molecules by the SiC nanosheet, indicating its high reactivity towards both NU and BCNU. Changing the medium to water showed a maximum 2× increase in the global electrophilicity index of the nanosheet for NU and a maximum 7× increase for BCNU. Additionally, the thermodynamic study of the adsorption process indicates that the formation energies at high temperatures are smaller than those at low temperatures, unfolding the potential of SiC nanosheet for application in the phototherapy of these drugs.

Theoretical study of the adsorption capacity of potentially toxic Cd2+, Pb2+, and Hg2+ ions in hemicellulose matrices

Hemicellulose is widely available in nature, is a sustainable resource and has a wide range of applications. Among them, adsorption stands out for the removal of potentially toxic ions. Thus, in the study, the adsorption of Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions in two hemicellulose matrices were elucidated through computational simulations using density functional theory. Molecular electrostatic potential and frontier molecular orbitals demonstrated whether the interactions could happen. Four interaction complexes were highlighted due to the interaction energy criteria, ΔEBind, ΔH and ΔG < 0.00 kcal mol-1, that is: Hm1… Pb (1); Hm2… Pb (3); Hm2…Cd (4) and Hm2…Hg (4) and the results show that they occur through physisorption. In structural parameter studies, interaction distances smaller than 3000 Å were identified, which ranged from 2.253 Å to 2.972 Å. From the analysis of the topological parameters of QTAIM, it was possible to characterize the intensities of the interactions, as well as their nature, which were partially covalent or electrostatic in nature. Finally, based on the theoretical results, it can be affirmed that the hemicellulose can interact with Cd2+, Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions, evidencing that this study can support further experimental essays to remove contaminants from effluents.

A DFT and QTAIM insight into ethylene oxide adsorption on the surfaces of pure and metal-decorated inorganic fullerene-like nanoclusters

In this industrial era, the use of low-dimensional nanomaterials as gas sensors for environmental monitoring has received enormous interest. To develop an effective sensing method for ethylene oxide (EO), DFT computations are conducted using method ωB97X-D and B3LYP with 6-31G(d,p) basis set to evaluate the adsorption behavior of ethylene oxide gas on the surfaces of pristine, as well as Scandium and Titanium decorated B12N12, Al12N12, and Al12P12 nanocages. Several properties like structural, physical, and electronic are studied methodically to better understand the sensing behavior. Scandium-decorated aluminum phosphate and boron nitride nanocages were shown to perform better in terms of adsorption properties. The short recovery time observed in this study is beneficial for the repetitive use of the gas sensor. The Natural Bond Orbital and molecular electrostatic potential analysis demonstrated a substantial quantity of charge transfer from adsorbate to adsorbents. The bandgap alternation after adsorption shows an influence of adsorption on electronic properties. The interactions of adsorbate and adsorbents are further studied using the ultraviolet-visible predicted spectrum, and quantum theory of atoms in molecules all of which yielded promising findings.

Interaction of Anagrelide drug molecule on pristine and doped boron nitride nanocages: a DFT, RDG, PCM and QTAIM investigation

Nowadays, a nanostructure-based drug delivery system is one of the most noticeable topics to be studied, and in this regard, boron nitride nanoclusters are promising drug carriers for targeted drug delivery systems. In this article, the interaction mechanism of Anagrelide (AG) drug with B12N12 and Al- and Ga-doped B12N12 nanocages have been investigated using DFT with B3LYP/6-31 G (d, p) method in both gas and water media. All our studied complexes are thermodynamically stable, and doped nanocage complexes have higher negative adsorption energy (EAd.) and negative solvation energy than AG/B12N12 complexes which correspond to the stability of these systems in both media. The negative highest EAd value is 64.98 kcal/mol (63.17 kcal/mol) and 65.69 kcal/mol (65.11 kcal/mol) in gas (water) media for complex F (AG/AlB11N12) and complex I (AG/GaB11N12) respectively, which refers to the highest stability of these systems. The enhanced values of dipole moment (from 12.40 (12.65) Debye to 17.21 (17.69) Debye in complex F (complex I)) also confirm their stability. The QTAIM and RDG analysis endorse the strong adsorption nature of the AG drug onto the AlB11N12, and GaB11N12 nanocages, which is consistent with the adsorption energy as chemisorption occurs for these complexes. According to the electronic properties, doped nanocages show high sensitivity that infers their promising nature for drug delivery purposes. Thus, complex F and complex I are promising drug delivery systems, and doped nanocages (AlB11N12 and GaB11N12) are better carriers than pristine nanocages for the AG drug delivery system.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Surface adsorption of nitrosourea on pristine and doped (Al, Ga and In) boron nitride nanosheets as anticancer drug carriers: the DFT and COSMO insights

To minimize the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs and enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment, it is necessary to find a suitable drug delivery carrier for anticancer drugs. Recently nanomaterials are extensively being studied as drug vehicles and transport drugs in tumor cells. Using DFT calculations, the adsorption behavior with electronic sensitivity and reactivity of pristine and doped (Al, Ga and In)-BNNS towards the nitrosourea (NU) drug has been investigated in gas as well as water media. Our calculations showed that the NU drug is physically adsorbed on the pristine BNNS with −0.49 and −0.26 eV by transferring little amount of charge of about 0.033e and 0.046e in gas and water media in the most stable complex. But after replacing one of the central B atoms with an Al or Ga or In atom, the sensitivity of the doped BNNS remarkably enhances towards the NU drug molecules. The NU drug prefers to be chemically adsorbed on the BN(Al)NS, BN(Ga)NS and BN(In)NS by −1.28, −1.58 and −3.06 eV in the gas phase and −1.34, −1.23 and −3.65 eV in water media in the most stable complexes respectively. The large destabilization of LUMO energies after the adsorption of the NU drug on the BN(Al)NS, BN(Ga)NS and BN(In)NS significantly reduces their E_g from 4.37 to 0.69, 4.37 to 1.04 and 4.33 to 0.66 eV in the S1 complex respectively. The reduction of E_g of doped BNNS by the NU drug greatly enhances the electrical conductivity which can be converted to an electrical signal. Therefore, this doped BNNS can be used as a fascinating electronic sensor for the detection of NU drug molecules. Furthermore the work function of the doped BNNS was largely affected by the NU drug adsorption about 47.3%, 39.3% and 40.4% in the gas phase and 41.3%, 36.6% and 31.6% in water media in the S1 complex of NU/BN(Al)NS, NU/BN(Ga)NS and NU/BN(In)NS respectively. Thus, the doped BNNS may be used as a Ф type sensor for NU drug molecules.

Doped (Al, Ga and In)-BNNS can be used as fascinating drug carriers for the NU drug.

Effective adsorption of A-series chemical warfare agents on graphdiyne nanoflake: a DFT study

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are highly poisonous and their presence may cause diverse effects not only on living organisms but also on environment. Therefore, their detection and removal in a short time span is very important. In this regard, here the utility of graphdiyne (GDY) nanoflake is studied theoretically as an electrochemical sensor material for the hazardous CWAs including A-230, A-232, and A-234. Herein, we explain the phenomenon of adsorption of A-series CWAs on GDY nanoflake within the density functional theory (DFT) framework. The characterisation of adsorption is based on optimised geometries, BSSE-corrected energies, SAPT0, RDG, FMO, CHELPG charge transfer, QTAIM and UV-Vis analyses. The calculated counterpoise adsorption energies for reported complexes range from - 13.70 to - 17.19 kcal mol^-1. These adsorption energies show that analytes are physiosorbed onto GDY which usually takes place through noncovalent interactions. The noncovalent adsorption of CWAs on GDY is also attributed by the SAPT0, RDG and QTAIM analyses. These properties also reveal that dispersion factors dominate in the complexes among many noncovalent components (exchange, induction, electrostatic, steric and repulsion). In order to estimate the sensitivity of GDY, the %sensitivity and average energy gap variations are quantitatively measured by energies of HOMO and LUMO orbitals. In terms of adsorption affinity of GDY, UV-Vis analysis, CHELPG charge transfer and DOS analyses depict an appreciable response towards these toxic CWAs. Graphical abstract.

The recent advancement of low-dimensional nanostructured materials for drug delivery and drug sensing application: A brief review

In this review article, we have presented a detailed analysis of the recent advancement of quantum mechanical calculations in the applications of the low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs) into biomedical fields like biosensors and drug delivery systems development. Biosensors play an essential role for many communities, e.g. law enforcing agencies to sense illicit drugs, medical communities to remove overdosed medications from the human and animal body etc. Besides, drug delivery systems are theoretically being proposed for many years and experimentally found to deliver the drug to the targeted sites by reducing the harmful side effects significantly. In current COVID-19 pandemic, biosensors can play significant roles, e.g. to remove experimental drugs during the human trials if they show any unwanted adverse effect etc. where the drug delivery systems can be potentially applied to reduce the side effects. But before proceeding to these noble and expensive translational research works, advanced theoretical calculations can provide the possible outcomes with considerable accuracy. Hence in this review article, we have analyzed how theoretical calculations can be used to investigate LDNs as potential biosensor devices or drug delivery systems. We have also made a very brief discussion on the properties of biosensors or drug delivery systems which should be investigated for the biomedical applications and how to calculate them theoretically. Finally, we have made a detailed analysis of a large number of recently published research works where theoretical calculations were used to propose different LDNs for bio-sensing and drug delivery applications.

Investigation on adsorption features of nitroglycerin on novel red tricycle arsenene nanosheet - A first-principles study

The chemo sensing features of red tricycle arsenene nanosheet (RTANS), a monolayer obtained from allotropes of arsenic is employed in sensing the hazardous vapor nitroglycerin (NG) based on the first-principles investigation. The computations are carried out with the ATK-VNL package. The stability of the RTANS is validated by its formation energy, which is calculated as -4.171 eV/atom. The adsorption energy, Bader charge transfer, energy gap, and its variation after adsorption are the essential parameters that hold up the discussion on RTANS base material as an efficient chemical sensor. Moreover, the target vapor NG is physisorbed on RTANS. Besides, all the essential parameters have been investigated for the interaction of NG on RTANS. The comprehensive study reveals that RTANS can be used as a chemical sensor for the detection of nitroglycerin vapors.

Interaction studies of kidney biomarker volatiles on black phosphorene nanoring: A first-principles investigation

We report the electronic properties of black phosphorene nanoring (BPN) and adsorption behavior of chronic kidney disease biomarker vapors on BPN. The designed BPN is stable, which is ensured by the formation energy with a value of -3.857eV/atom. The band gap of BPN is recorded as 0.716eV showing the semiconductor property. The prominent kidney disease biomarker vapors, namely isoprene, pentanal, hexanal, heptanal are allowed to interact on BPN and studied based on adsorption property on BPN. Based on charge transfer, energy band gap variation and adsorption energy, we studied the adsorption behavior of BPN towards kidney disease biomarkers. Our findings show that BPN can be used to detect the presence of kidney biomarkers.

Cyclic versus straight chain oligofuran as sensor: A detailed DFT study

This study presents a novel approach for exploring the sensitivity and selectivity of cyclic oligofuran (5/6/7CF) toward gaseous analytes and their comparison with straight chain analogues (5/6/7SF). The work is not only vital to understand the superior sensitivity but also for rational design of new sensors based on cyclic ring structures of oligofuran. Interaction of cyclic and straight chain oligofuran with NH₃, CO, CO₂, N₂H₄, HCN, H₂O₂, H₂S, CH₄, CH₃OH, SO₂, SO₃ and H₂O analytes is studied via DFT calculation at B3LYP-D3/6-31++G (d, p) level of theory. The sensitivity and selectivity are illustrated by the thermodynamic parameters (E_bind, SAPT0 energies, NCI analysis), electronic properties (H-L gap, percentage of average energy gap, CHELPG charge transfer, DOS spectra), and UV-Vis analysis. All these properties are simulated at B3LYP/6-31G (d) level of theory while UV-Vis is calculated at TD-DFT method. Cyclic oligofurans have high binding energies with analytes compared to 5/6/7SF which corresponds to higher sensitivity of 5/6/7CF. Furthermore, the cyclization of oligofuran significantly improves the sensitivity and selectivity of the system. Alteration in electronic properties of 5/6/7CF and 5/6/7SF is remarkably high upon complexation with SO₂ and SO₃. Further the stability of rings (5, 6 and 7 membered cyclic oligofurans) and their SO₃ complexes is also confirmed by molecular dynamics calculations. The findings of the work clearly suggest that the cyclic geometry enhances not only sensitivity but also selectivity of conducting polymers (oligofuran).