Serine adsorption through different functionalities on the B12N12 and Pt-B12N12 nanocages

Advances in Selective Detection of Cadaverine by Electronic, Optical, and Work Function Sensors Based on Cu-Modified B12N12 and Al12N12 Nanocages: A Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study

This work explores Cu-modified B12N12 and Al12N12 nanocages for cadaverine diamine (Cad) detection using advanced density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The study found that Cu modification altered the geometry of the nanocages, increased the dipole moment, reduced the energy gap, and enhanced the reactivity. While pristine B12N12 and Al12N12 were not sensitive to Cad, the modified Cu(b64)B12N12 and Cu(b66)Al12N12 nanocages showed significantly higher electronic sensitivity (Δgap = 39.8% and 35.6%, respectively), surpassing the literature data. However, molecular dynamics (MD) revealed that the Cu(b66)Al12N12 nanocage is not stable in the long term, since the nanocage changes configuration to Cu(b64)Al12N12, which is less sensitive and has an even longer recovery time for Cad sensing. Adsorption energy analysis (Eads) showed a strong interaction of Cad/nanocages, while charge analysis suggested that the nanocages act as Lewis acids, accepting electrons from Cad. UV-vis spectra confirmed that Cu(b64)B12N12 responds optically to the presence of Cad. Furthermore, Cu(b64)B12N12 showed greater sensitivity to Cad compared to NO, H2, H2S, CO, COCl2, N2O, N2 gases, or H2O, showing high selectivity to diamine against interfering gases or water, standing out as a promising material for environmental applications in electronic, optical or work function sensors for cadaverine detection, even in humid environments.

Ge-Doped Boron Nitride Nanoclusters Functionalized with Amino Acids for Enhanced Binding of Bisphenols A and Z: A Density Functional Theory Study

This study uses density functional theory to investigate boron nitride nanoclusters functionalized with amino acids for enhanced binding of bisphenols A (BPA) and Z (BPZ) to mimic the estrogen-related receptor gamma. Three categories of nanoclusters were examined: pristine B12N12, and those which were germanium-doped for boron or nitrogen. The study reveals that hydrogen bonding patterns and molecular stability are significantly influenced by the type of functional group and the specific amino acids involved. Ge-doping generally enhances the binding stability and spontaneity of the nanocluster-amino acid-bisphenol complexes, with Glu 275 emerging as the most stable binding site. The analysis of electronic properties such as energy gap, ionization potential, electron affinity, and chemical hardness before and after bisphenol binding indicates a general trend of increased reactivity, particularly in Ge-doped nanoclusters. The findings highlight the potential of these nanocluster composites in applications requiring high reactivity and electron mobility, such as pollutant removal and drug delivery.

Theoretical and experimental studies on sulfasalazine interactions with poly (lactic acid): Impact of hydrogen bonding and charge transfer interactions on molecular structure, electronic and optical properties

The interaction between sulfasalazine (SSZ) through different functional groups and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) in the chloroform phase was investigated in this study using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. The binding energy and thermodynamic parameters show that the hydrogen double bond interaction between SSZ and PLA in state I (-0.71 eV) is stronger than in states II (-0.64 eV) and III (-0.51 eV). The SSZ and PLA interaction results in an enhanced dipole moment, greater solubility, and more negative values for Gibbs free energy (ΔGsolv) and energy gap (Eg). Considerable changes in absorption peaks of SSZ and PLA indicate surface adsorption of the drug (SSZ) into the carrier (PLA) in UV-Vis spectra. Theoretical UV-Vis analysis demonstrates SSZ interaction with PLA happens in the ultraviolet region with a maximum absorption peak at 380 nm, which is close to experimental UV-Vis analysis. The experimental spectra showed minimal variations in the maximum absorption wavelength, with respect to theoretical calculations. The presence of SSZ was found to cause a modification in the structure of PLA, as evidenced by both experimental and theoretical Infrared (IR) spectra.

Adsorption behavior of mercaptopurine and 6-thioguanine drugs on the B12N12, AlB11N12 and GaB11N12 nanoclusters, a comparative DFT study

Lately, drug delivery systems established on nanostructures have become the most proficient to be studied. There are different studies suggested that the BN nanoclusters can be used as drug carriers and transport drugs in the target cell. Therefore, the interactions and adsorption behavior of Mercaptopurine (MC) and 6-thioguanine (TG) as anti-cancer drugs on the B₁₂N₁₂ (BN), AlB₁₁N₁₂ (AlBN) and GaB₁₁N₁₂ (GaBN) nanoclusters were studied by density functional theory (DFT) and quantum mechanics atoms in molecules (QMAIM) methods to find a new drug delivery system. Our results showed strong adsorption obtained in BN-MC/TG and AlBN-MC/TG complexes can be decomposed by the BN and AlBN indicating that these nanostructures are not suitable in drug efficiency of MC and TG drugs. Unlike the BN and AlBN nanoclusters, GaBN significantly makes the MC and TG drugs adsorption energetically favorable. The high solvation energy of GaBN when interacting with MC and TG drugs led it to applicability as nanocarriers for these drugs in the drug delivery systems. Furthermore, GaBN has a short recovery time for MC, and TG drugs desorption compared to BN and AlBN nanoclusters. It is predicted that the MC, and TG drugs over GaBN can be used as a drug delivery system.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Theoretical Study on the Nonlinear Optical Property of Boron Nitride Nanoclusters Functionalized by Electron Donating and Electron Accepting Groups

The influence of donor-acceptor (D-A) groups on the nonlinear optical (NLO) property of B₁₂N₁₂ functionalized nanocluster has been investigated by density functional theory. We study the effect of bonding of three electron acceptor ligands (CN, COOH, and NO₂) and three donor ligands (NH₂, N(CH₃)₂, and PhNH₂) positioned at opposite ends of B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster in the gas phase. The result reveals that the complexation of D-A groups on the B₁₂N₁₂ nanocluster is energetically favorable and significantly narrowed the HOMO-LUMO gaps. The functionalization of D-A groups lead to an extremely large first hyperpolarizability value. Our survey reports the strongest NLO responses found in PhNH₂-B₁₂N₁₂-PhCN cluster (1882.47 × 10^-30 esu), whereas centrosymmetric B₁₂N₁₂ cluster yields a zero hyperpolarizability value. Designed systems are analyzed through the HOMO-LUMO gap, frontier molecular orbital, hyperpolarizability, Δr index, transition dipole moment density, density of states (DOS), and molecular electrostatic potential. The obtained results are well correlated with the computed absorption spectra of the molecule. The results demonstrate that phenyl ring incorporated D-A groups amplify the NLO response to a larger extent. The significant first hyperpolarizability arises due to charge transfer from the donor to the acceptor moiety. As a whole, this theoretical work provides a direction to researchers that the right choice of substitution can considerably impact the nonlinear optical property of BN nanoclusters.

Investigations of adsorption behavior and anti-inflammatory activity of glycine functionalized Al12N12 and Al12ON11 fullerene-like cages

The adsorption behavior of the amino acid, glycine (Gly), via the carboxyl, hydroxyl, and amino groups onto the surfaces of Al₁₂N₁₂ and Al₁₆N₁₆ fullerene-like cages were computationally evaluated by the combination of density functional theory (DFT) and molecular docking studies. It was found that Gly can chemically bond with the Al₁₂N₁₂ and Al₁₆N₁₆ fullerene-like cages as its amino group being more favorable to interact with the aluminum atoms of the adsorbents compared to carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Oxygen and carbon doping were reported to reduce steric hindrance for Glycine interaction at Al site of Al₁₂ON₁₁/Gly and Al₁₂CN₁₁/Gly complexes. Interaction was further enhanced by oxygen doping due to its greater electron withdrawing effect. Herein, the Al₁₂ON₁₁/Gly complex where two carbonyl groups of Gly are bonded to the aluminum atoms of the Al₁₂N₁₂ fullerene-like cage is the most stable interaction configuration showing ∆_adsH and ∆_adsG values of -81.74 kcal/mol and -66.21 kcal/mol, respectively. Computational studies also revealed the frequency shifts that occurred due to the interaction process. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the Al₁₂N₁₂/Gly (-11.7 kcal/mol) and the Al₁₂ON₁₁/Gly (-9.2 kcal/mol) complexes have a good binding affinity with protein tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). TNF-α was implicated as a key cytokine in various diseases, and it has been a validated therapeutic target for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. These results suggest that the Al₁₂N₁₂/Gly complex in comparison with the Al₁₆N₁₆/Gly, Al₁₂ON₁₁/Gly, and the Al₁₂CN₁₁/Gly complexes could be efficient inhibitors of TNF-α.

Carbon and germanium nanocages as anode electrodes in sodium-ion and potassium-ion batteries

Here, the potential of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages as anodes of Na-ion battery (IB) and K-IB are investigated by DFT/M06-2X and DFT/B3LYP in gas and solvent. The E_Formation and E_Gap of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages are investigated by theoretical methods. The vertical and adiabatic EA and IP of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages are examined in gas and solvent. The E_ad of Na⁺ and K⁺ on inner and outer positions of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ nanocages are investigated. The V_cell and C_Theory of C₃₆, C₄₈, and Ge₄₈ as anodes of batteries are investigated. The results of this paper proposed the nano materials (C₄₈ and Ge₄₈ nanocage) as anodes of Na-IB and K-IB with higher C_Theory and V_cell than graphene nanosheet.

Influence of the adsorption of toxic agents on the optical and electronic properties of B12N12 fullerene in the presence and absence of an external electric field

The interaction energies and optoelectronic properties of sarin (SF) and chlorosarin (SC) on the B₁₂N₁₂ with and without the presence of an electric field have been studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Effect of Chemical Order in the Structural Stability and Physicochemical Properties of B12N12 Fullerenes

The effect of chemical order in the structural and physicochemical properties of B₁₂N₁₂ [4,6]-fullerene (BNF) isomers was evaluated using density functional theory and molecular dynamic calculations. The feasibility to find stable BNF isomers with atomic arrangement other than the well-known octahedral T_h-symmetry was explored. In this study, the number of homonuclear bonds in the modeled nanostructures was used as categorical parameter to describe and quantify the degree of structural order. The BNF without homonuclear bonds was identified as the most energetically favorable isomer. However, a variety of BNF arrays departing from T_h-symmetry was determined as stable structures also. The calculated vibrational spectra suggest that isomers with chemical disorder can be identified by infrared spectroscopy. In general, formation of homonuclear bonds is possible meanwhile the entropy of the system increases, but at expense of cohesive energy. It is proposed that formation of phase-segregated regions stablishes an apparent limit to the number of homonuclear bonds in stable B₁₂N₁₂ fullerenes. It was found that formation of homonuclear bonds decreases substantially the chemical hardness of BNF isomers and generates zones with large charge density, which might act as reactive sites. Moreover, chemical disorder endows BNF isomers with a permanent electric dipole moment as large as 3.28 D. The obtained results suggest that by manipulating their chemical order, the interaction of BNF’s with other molecular entities can be controlled, making them potential candidates for drug delivery, catalysis and sensing.