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Hymas M, Wongwas S, Roshan S, Whittock AL, Corre C, Omidyan R, Stavros VG. A Multipronged Bioengineering, Spectroscopic and Theoretical Approach in Unravelling the Excited-State Dynamics of the Archetype Mycosporine Amino Acid. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:7424-7429. [PMID: 38996192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Mycosporine glycine (MyG) was produced by the fermentation of a purposely engineered bacterial strain and isolated from this sustainable source. The ultrafast spectroscopy of MyG was then investigated in its native, zwitterionic form (MyGzwitter), via femtosecond transient electronic absorption spectroscopy. Complementary nonadiabatic (NAD) simulations suggest that, upon photoexcitation to the lowest excited singlet state (S1), MyGzwitter undergoes efficient nonradiative decay to repopulate the electronic ground state (S0). We propose an initial ultrafast ring-twisting mechanism toward an S1/S0 conical intersection, followed by internal conversion to S0 and subsequent vibrational cooling. This study illuminates the workings of the archetype mycosporine, providing photoprotection, in the UV-B range, to organisms such as corals, macroalgae, and cyanobacteria. This study also contributes to our growing understanding of the photoprotection mechanisms of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hymas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sopida Wongwas
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Simin Roshan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441 Isfahan, Iran
| | - Abigail L Whittock
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Analytical Science Centre for Doctoral Training, Senate House, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Christophe Corre
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Reza Omidyan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan, 81746-73441 Isfahan, Iran
| | - Vasilios G Stavros
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, United Kingdom
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Zhang Q, Shao X, Li W, Mi W, Pavanello M, Akimov AV. Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics with subsystem density functional theory: application to crystalline pentacene. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2024; 36:385901. [PMID: 38866023 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ad577d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
In this work, we report the development and assessment of the nonadiabatic molecular dynamics approach with the electronic structure calculations based on the linearly scaling subsystem density functional method. The approach is implemented in an open-source embedded Quantum Espresso/Libra software specially designed for nonadiabatic dynamics simulations in extended systems. As proof of the applicability of this method to large condensed-matter systems, we examine the dynamics of nonradiative relaxation of excess excitation energy in pentacene crystals with the simulation supercells containing more than 600 atoms. We find that increased structural disorder observed in larger supercell models induces larger nonadiabatic couplings of electronic states and accelerates the relaxation dynamics of excited states. We conduct a comparative analysis of several quantum-classical trajectory surface hopping schemes, including two new methods proposed in this work (revised decoherence-induced surface hopping and instantaneous decoherence at frustrated hops). Most of the tested schemes suggest fast energy relaxation occurring with the timescales in the 0.7-2.0 ps range, but they significantly overestimate the ground state recovery rates. Only the modified simplified decay of mixing approach yields a notably slower relaxation timescales of 8-14 ps, with a significantly inhibited ground state recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America
| | - Xuecheng Shao
- Department of Physics, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07102, United States of America
| | - Wei Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenhui Mi
- Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods & Software of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
| | - Michele Pavanello
- Department of Physics, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 07102, United States of America
| | - Alexey V Akimov
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, United States of America
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Coppola F, Cimino P, Petrone A, Rega N. Evidence of Excited-State Vibrational Mode Governing the Photorelaxation of a Charge-Transfer Complex. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:1620-1633. [PMID: 38381887 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c08366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Modern, nonlinear, time-resolved spectroscopic techniques have opened new doors for investigating the intriguing but complex world of photoinduced ultrafast out-of-equilibrium phenomena and charge dynamics. The interaction between light and matter introduces an additional dimension, where the complex interplay between electronic and vibrational dynamics needs the most advanced theoretical-computational protocols to be fully understood on the molecular scale. In this study, we showcase the capabilities of ab initio molecular dynamics simulation integrated with a multiresolution wavelet protocol to carefully investigate the excited-state relaxation dynamics in a noncovalent complex involving tetramethylbenzene (TMB) and tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) undergoing charge transfer (CT) upon photoexcitation. Our protocol provides an accurate description that facilitates a direct comparison between transient vibrational analysis and time-resolved spectroscopic signals. This molecular level perspective enhances our understanding of photorelaxation processes confined in the adiabatic regime and offers an improved interpretation of vibrational spectra. Furthermore, it enables the quantification of anharmonic vibrational couplings between high- and low-frequency modes, specifically the TCNQ "rocking" and "bending" modes. Additionally, it identifies the primary vibrational mode that governs the adiabaticity between the ground state and the CT state. This comprehensive understanding of photorelaxation processes holds significant importance in the rational design and precise control of more efficient photovoltaic and sensor devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Coppola
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, I-80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Cimino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di M.S. Angelo, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessio Petrone
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, I-80138 Napoli, Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di M.S. Angelo, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Di Fisica Nucleare, sezione di Napoli, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo ed. 6, 80126 Napoli, Italia
| | - Nadia Rega
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, I-80138 Napoli, Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di M.S. Angelo, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale Di Fisica Nucleare, sezione di Napoli, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo ed. 6, 80126 Napoli, Italia
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Toldo JM, do Casal MT, Ventura E, do Monte SA, Barbatti M. Surface hopping modeling of charge and energy transfer in active environments. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:8293-8316. [PMID: 36916738 PMCID: PMC10034598 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp00247k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
An active environment is any atomic or molecular system changing a chromophore's nonadiabatic dynamics compared to the isolated molecule. The action of the environment on the chromophore occurs by changing the potential energy landscape and triggering new energy and charge flows unavailable in the vacuum. Surface hopping is a mixed quantum-classical approach whose extreme flexibility has made it the primary platform for implementing novel methodologies to investigate the nonadiabatic dynamics of a chromophore in active environments. This Perspective paper surveys the latest developments in the field, focusing on charge and energy transfer processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizete Ventura
- Departamento de Química, CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-900, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Silmar A do Monte
- Departamento de Química, CCEN, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, 58059-900, João Pessoa, Brazil.
| | - Mario Barbatti
- Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, ICR, Marseille, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France, 75231, Paris, France
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Boeije Y, Olivucci M. From a one-mode to a multi-mode understanding of conical intersection mediated ultrafast organic photochemical reactions. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:2643-2687. [PMID: 36970950 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00719c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
This review discusses how ultrafast organic photochemical reactions are controlled by conical intersections, highlighting that decay to the ground-state at multiple points of the intersection space results in their multi-mode character.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorrick Boeije
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Massimo Olivucci
- Chemistry Department, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro n. 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Chemistry Department, Bowling Green State University, Overman Hall, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403, USA
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Shakiba M, Stippell E, Li W, Akimov AV. Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics with Extended Density Functional Tight-Binding: Application to Nanocrystals and Periodic Solids. J Chem Theory Comput 2022; 18:5157-5180. [PMID: 35758936 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.2c00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we report a new methodology for nonadiabatic molecular dynamics calculations within the extended tight-binding (xTB) framework. We demonstrate the applicability of the developed approach to finite and periodic systems with thousands of atoms by modeling "hot" electron relaxation dynamics in silicon nanocrystals and electron-hole recombination in both a graphitic carbon nitride monolayer and a titanium-based metal-organic framework (MOF). This work reports the nonadiabatic dynamic simulations in the largest Si nanocrystals studied so far by the xTB framework, with diameters up to 3.5 nm. For silicon nanocrystals, we find a non-monotonic dependence of "hot" electron relaxation rates on the nanocrystal size, in agreement with available experimental reports. We rationalize this relationship by a combination of decreasing nonadiabatic couplings related to system size and the increase of available coherent transfer pathways in systems with higher densities of states. We emphasize the importance of proper treatment of coherences for obtaining such non-monotonic dependences. We characterize the electron-hole recombination dynamics in the graphitic carbon nitride monolayer and the Ti-containing MOF. We demonstrate the importance of spin-adaptation and proper sampling of surface hopping trajectories in modeling such processes. We also assess several trajectory surface hopping schemes and highlight their distinct qualitative behavior in modeling the excited-state dynamics in superexchange-like models depending on how they handle coherences between nearly parallel states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shakiba
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Elizabeth Stippell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Wei Li
- School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
| | - Alexey V Akimov
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
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Fan J, Finazzi L, Jan Buma W. Elucidating the photoprotective properties of natural UV screening agents: ZEKE-PFI spectroscopy of methyl sinapate. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:3984-3993. [PMID: 35099484 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp05958k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
As a prominent derivative of a natural sunscreen, methyl sinapate is an ideal candidate to provide fundamental insight into strategies on how to come to a rational design of artificial sunscreen filters with improved photoprotective properties. Here, static and time-resolved Zero Kinetic Energy-Pulsed Field Ionization (ZEKE-PFI) photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to study the spectroscopy and decay pathways of its electronically excited states. We find that different conformers are subject to distinct structural changes upon electronic excitation, and trace the structural changes that occur upon excitation back to the character of the LUMO. Ionization efficiency spectra in combination with pump-probe ZEKE-PFI spectra are consistent with the conclusion that the long-lived electronically excited state observed in the decay of the lowest excited singlet state is the lowest excited triplet state. Concurrently with providing information on the electronically excited states, the studies allow for a detailed characterization of the spectroscopic properties of the ground state of the radical ion, which is important in the context of the use of cinnamates in nature as antioxidants. Our studies determine the adiabatic ionization energies of the syn/cis, anti/cis and anti/trans conformers as 60 291.1 ± 0.5, 60 366.9 ± 0.5 and 60 503.9 ± 1.0 cm-1, respectively, and provide accurate vibrational fequencies of low-frequency modes of the molecular ion in its electronic ground state. Finally, the studies emphasize the important role of vibrational and electronic autoionization processes that start to dominate the ionization dynamics in non-rigid molecules of the present size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayun Fan
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Laura Finazzi
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Wybren Jan Buma
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Institute for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University, Toernooiveld 7c, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Abiola TT, Rioux B, Toldo JM, Alarcan J, Woolley JM, Turner MAP, Coxon DJL, Telles do Casal M, Peyrot C, Mention MM, Buma WJ, Ashfold MNR, Braeuning A, Barbatti M, Stavros VG, Allais F. Towards developing novel and sustainable molecular light-to-heat converters. Chem Sci 2021; 12:15239-15252. [PMID: 34976344 PMCID: PMC8634993 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc05077j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Light-to-heat conversion materials generate great interest due to their widespread applications, notable exemplars being solar energy harvesting and photoprotection. Another more recently identified potential application for such materials is in molecular heaters for agriculture, whose function is to protect crops from extreme cold weather and extend both the growing season and the geographic areas capable of supporting growth, all of which could help reduce food security challenges. To address this demand, a new series of phenolic-based barbituric absorbers of ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been designed and synthesised in a sustainable manner. The photophysics of these molecules has been studied in solution using femtosecond transient electronic and vibrational absorption spectroscopies, allied with computational simulations and their potential toxicity assessed by in silico studies. Following photoexcitation to the lowest singlet excited state, these barbituric absorbers repopulate the electronic ground state with high fidelity on an ultrafast time scale (within a few picoseconds). The energy relaxation pathway includes a twisted intramolecular charge-transfer state as the system evolves out of the Franck–Condon region, internal conversion to the ground electronic state, and subsequent vibrational cooling. These barbituric absorbers display promising light-to-heat conversion capabilities, are predicted to be non-toxic, and demand further study within neighbouring application-based fields. The synthesis and photophysical properties of phenolic barbiturics are reported. These molecules convert absorbed ultraviolet light to heat with high fidelity and may be suitable for inclusion in foliar sprays to boost crop protection and production.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope T Abiola
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Benjamin Rioux
- URD Agro-Biotechnologies (ABI), CEBB, AgroParisTech 51110 Pomacle France
| | | | - Jimmy Alarcan
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10 10589 Berlin Germany
| | - Jack M Woolley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Matthew A P Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK .,Department of Physics, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Daniel J L Coxon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK .,Department of Physics, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK.,EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Diamond Science and Technology UK
| | | | - Cédric Peyrot
- URD Agro-Biotechnologies (ABI), CEBB, AgroParisTech 51110 Pomacle France
| | - Matthieu M Mention
- URD Agro-Biotechnologies (ABI), CEBB, AgroParisTech 51110 Pomacle France
| | - Wybren J Buma
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands.,Institute for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, Radboud University 6525 ED Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Michael N R Ashfold
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol Cantock's Close Bristol BS8 1TS UK
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Food Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10 10589 Berlin Germany
| | - Mario Barbatti
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, ICR Marseille France .,Institut Universitaire de France 75231 Paris France
| | - Vasilios G Stavros
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road Coventry CV4 7AL UK
| | - Florent Allais
- URD Agro-Biotechnologies (ABI), CEBB, AgroParisTech 51110 Pomacle France
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