Detection of Carbon, Sulfur, and Nitrogen Dioxide Pollutants with a 2D Ca12O12 Nanostructured Material

Breathing in danger: Understanding the multifaceted impact of air pollution on health impacts

Air pollution, a pervasive environmental threat that spans urban and rural landscapes alike, poses significant risks to human health, exacerbating respiratory conditions, triggering cardiovascular problems, and contributing to a myriad of other health complications across diverse populations worldwide. This article delves into the multifarious impacts of air pollution, utilizing cutting-edge research methodologies and big data analytics to offer a comprehensive overview. It highlights the emergence of new pollutants, their sources, and characteristics, thereby broadening our understanding of contemporary air quality challenges. The detrimental health effects of air pollution are examined thoroughly, emphasizing both short-term and long-term impacts. Particularly vulnerable populations are identified, underscoring the need for targeted health risk assessments and interventions. The article presents an in-depth analysis of the global disease burden attributable to air pollution, offering a comparative perspective that illuminates the varying impacts across different regions. Furthermore, it addresses the economic ramifications of air pollution, quantifying health and economic losses, and discusses the implications for public policy and health care systems. Innovative air pollution intervention measures are explored, including case studies demonstrating their effectiveness. The paper also brings to light recent discoveries and insights in the field, setting the stage for future research directions. It calls for international cooperation in tackling air pollution and underscores the crucial role of public awareness and education in mitigating its impacts. This comprehensive exploration serves not only as a scientific discourse but also as a clarion call for action against the invisible but insidious threat of air pollution, making it a vital read for researchers, policymakers, and the general public.

Carbon nanoparticles neutralize carbon dioxide (CO2) in cytotoxicity: Potent carbon emission induced resistance to anticancer nanomedicine and antibiotics

Excessive carbon emissions, especially CO2 release, have been a global concern. Few studies applied nanotechnology to relieve the ecotoxicity of CO2. Here, we applied carbon dots (CDs) to neutralize the CO2. We found CO2 induced the aggregation of CDs, which is of significance for CDs in enhanced fluorescence intensity but decreased CDs function in nanozyme activity, and reduced CDs toxicity to bacteria and cancer cells. Our data suggest the concern of CO2 release in global health in CDs mediated anticancer drug delivery and antibiotics resistance. However, enhanced fluorescence in cells which can be applied for bioimaging or CO2 sensing as simulated investigation by static charged attraction of positively charged CDs with negatively charged soluble HCO3-. Thus, CO2 abrogates the nanomedicine efficacy in cancer cells and antibacterial and may induce drug resistance for patients undergoing chemotherapy or antibiotics therapy. To overcome the resistance, we may apply the CDs for a neutralization of CO2 for impact on anticancer nanomedicine and antibiotics and reducing the ecotoxicity in biological systems.

Impact of Polythiophene ((C4H4S)n; n = 3, 5, 7, 9) Units on the Adsorption, Reactivity, and Photodegradation Mechanism of Tetracycline by Ti-Doped Graphene/Boron Nitride (Ti@GP_BN) Nanocomposite Materials: Insights from Computational Study

This study addresses the formidable persistence of tetracycline (TC) in the environment and its adverse impact on soil, water, and microbial ecosystems. To combat this issue, an innovative approach by varying polythiophene ((C4H4S)n; n = 3, 5, 7, 9) units and the subsequent interaction with Ti-doped graphene/boron nitride (Ti@GP_BN) nanocomposites was applied as catalysts for investigating the molecular structure, adsorption, excitation analysis, and photodegradation mechanism of tetracycline within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP-gd3bj/def2svp method. This study reveals a compelling correlation between the adsorption potential of the nanocomposites and their corresponding excitation behaviors, particularly notable in the fifth and seventh units of the polythiophene configuration. These units exhibit distinct excitation patterns, characterized by energy levels of 1.3406 and 924.81 nm wavelengths for the fifth unit and 1.3391 and 925.88 nm wavelengths for the seventh unit. Through exploring deeper, the examination of the exciton binding energy emerges as a pivotal factor, bolstering the outcomes derived from both UV-vis transition analysis and adsorption exploration. Notably, the calculated exciton binding energies of 0.120 and 0.103 eV for polythiophene units containing 5 and 7 segments, respectively, provide compelling confirmation of our findings. This convergence of data reinforces the integrity of our earlier analyses, enhancing our understanding of the intricate electronic and energetic interplay within these intricate systems. This study sheds light on the promising potential of the polythiophene/Ti-doped graphene/boron nitride nanocomposite as an efficient candidate for TC photodegradation, contributing to the advancement of sustainable environmental remediation strategies. This study was conducted theoretically; hence, experimental studies are needed to authenticate the use of the studied nanocomposites for degrading TC.

DFT investigation of temozolomide drug delivery by pure and boron doped C24 fullerene-like nanocages

In this paper, the DFT/M05-2X-D3/6-31+G(d,p) theoretical chemistry method is used to probe the adsorption ability of pure and boron doped C24 toward the temozolomide (TMZ) anticancer drug. The study is conducted in both gas and aqueous phases. The positive values of the Gibbs free energy of formation (12.03, 9.14 and 2.51 kcal mol-1) show that the adsorption of TMZ on C24 is not allowed. However, the boron-doped C24 (BC23) forms a very stable molecular complex with TMZ in the gas phase, characterized by the adsorption energy and Gibbs free energy values of -32.07 and -21.27 kcal mol-1 respectively. Analysis of Hirshfeld's atomic charge revealed the transfer of 0.6395e from TMZ to BC23, which is confirmed by the value of the dipole moment of the complex (13.42 D in the gas phase) as well as its molecular electrostatic potential map. The change in the frontier molecular orbital energy difference of BC23 is found to be 21.67% proving the good sensitivity of the cage toward the drug. The TMZ-BC23 molecular complex is very stable in water though the sensitivity of the cage is hugely reduced in that solvent. The reliability of these results was confirmed by checking the outcomes at both wB97XD/6-31+G(d,p) and B3LYP-D3/6-31+G(d,p) levels. This work shows that pristine BC23 is a better adsorbent of TMZ than some reported nanomaterials from the theoretical chemistry point of view.

The Role of Water in the Adsorption of Nitro-Organic Pollutants on Activated Carbon

The density functional theory (DFT) is applied to theoretically study the capture and storage of three different nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 4-nitrophenol, 2-nitrophenol, and 9-nitroanthracene by activated carbon, with and without the presence of water. These species are pollutants derived from vehicle and industry emissions. The modeling of adsorption is carried out at the molecular level using a high-level density functional theory with the B3LYP-GD(BJ)/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The adsorption energies of polluting gases considered isolated and in a humid environment are compared to better understand the role of water. The calculations reveal different possible pathways involving the formation of chemical bonds between adsorbent and adsorbate on the formation of intermolecular van der Waals interactions. The negative adsorption energy on AC for the three species is obtained when they are treated individually and in mixture with H2O. The basis-set superposition error, estimated using the counterpoise correction, varies the adsorption energies by 2-13%. Dispersion effects were also taken into account. The adsorption energy ranges from -10 to -414 kJ/mol suggesting a diversity of pathways. The resulting analysis suggests three preferred pathways for capture. The main pathway is physical interaction due to π-π stacking. Other means are capture due to the formation of hydrogen bonds resulting from water adsorbed on the surface and the simultaneous adsorption of pollutant and water where water can act as a link that promotes adsorption. The thermodynamic properties give a clue to the most eco-friendly approaches for molecular adsorption.

Deciphering the electrochemical sensing capability of novel Ga12As12 nanocluster towards chemical warfare phosgene gas: insights from DFT

The applications of 3D inorganic nanomaterials in environmental and agriculture monitoring have been exploited continuously; however, the utilization of semiconductor nanoclusters, especially for detecting warfare agents, has not been fully investigated yet. To fill this gap, the molecular modelling of novel inorganic semiconductor nanocluster Ga12As12 as a sensor for phosgene gas (highly toxic for living things and the environment) is accomplished employing benchmark DFT and TD-DFT investigations. Computational tools have been applied to explore different adsorption sites and the potential sensing capability of the Ga12As12 nanoclusters. The calculated adsorption energy (-21.34 ± 2.7 kcal mol-1) for ten selected complexes, namely, Pgn-Cl@4m-ring (MS1), Pgn-Cl@6m-ring (MS2), Pgn-Cl@XY66 (MS3), Pgn-O@4m-ring (MS4), Pgn-O@XY66 (MS5), Pgn-O@XY64 (MS6), Pgn-O@Y (MS7), Pgn-planar@Y (MS8), Pgn-planar@X (MS9), and Pgn-planar@4m-ring (MS10), manifest the remarkable and excessive adsorption response of the studied nanoclusters. The explored molecular electronic properties, such as interaction distance (3.05 ± 0.5 Å), energy gap (∼2.17 eV), softness (∼0.46 eV), hardness (1.10 ± 0.01 eV), electrophilicity index (10.27 ± 0.45 eV), electrical conductivity (∼1.98 × 109), and recovery time (∼3 × 10-12 s-1) values, ascertain the elevated reactivity and an imperishable sensitivity of the Ga12As12 nanocluster, particularly for its complex MS8. QTAIM analysis exhibits the presence of a strong electrostatic bond (positive ∇2ρ(r) values), electron delocalization (ELF < 0.5), and a strong chemical bond (because of high all-electron density values). In addition, NBO analysis explores the lone pair electron delocalization of phosgene to the nanocluster stabilized by intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) and different kinds of non-covalent interactions. Also, the green region existence expressed by NCI analysis (between the nanocluster and adsorbate) stipulate the energetic and dominant interactions. Furthermore, the UV-Vis, thermodynamic analysis, and density of state (DOS) demonstrate the maximum absorbance (562.11 nm) and least excitation energy (2.21 eV) by the complex MS8, the spontaneity of the interaction process, and the significant changes in HOMO and LUMO energies, respectively. Thus, the Ga12As12 nanocluster has proven to be a promising influential sensing material to monitor phosgene gas in the real world, and this study will emphasize the informative knowledge for experimental researchers to use Ga12As12 as a sensor for the warfare agent (phosgene).

First-principle study of Cu-, Ag-, and Au-decorated Si-doped carbon quantum dots (Si@CQD) for CO2 gas sensing efficacies

CONTEXT

Nanosensor materials for the trapping and sensing of CO₂ gas in the ecosystem were investigated herein to elucidate the adsorption, sensibility, selectivity, conductivity, and reactivity of silicon-doped carbon quantum dot (Si@CQD) decorated with Ag, Au, and Cu metals. The gas was studied in two configurations on its O and C sites. When the metal-decorated Si@CQD interacted with the CO₂ gas on the C adsorption site of the gas, there was a decrease in all the interactions with the lowest energy gap of 1.084 eV observed in CO₂_C_Cu_Si@CQD followed by CO₂_C_Au_Si@CQD which recorded a slightly higher energy gap of 1.094 eV, while CO₂_C_Ag_Si@CQD had an energy gap of 2.109 eV. On the O adsorption sites, a decrease was observed in CO₂_O_Au_Si@CQD which had the least energy gap of 1.140 eV, whereas there was a significant increase after adsorption in CO₂_O_Ag_Si@CQD and CO₂_O_Cu_Si@CQD with calculated ∆E values of 2.942 eV and 3.015 eV respectively. The adsorption energy alongside the basis set supposition error (BSSE) estimation reveals that CO₂_C_Au_Si@CQD, CO₂_C_Ag_Si@CQD, and CO₂_C_Cu_Si@CQD were weakly adsorbed, while chemisorption was present in the CO₂_O_Ag_Si@CQD, CO₂_O_Cu_Si@CQD, and CO₂_O_Au_Si@CQD interactions. Indeed, the adsorption of CO₂ on the different metal-decorated quantum dots affects the Fermi level (E_f) and the work function (Φ) of each of the decorated carbon quantum dots owed to their low E_f values and high ∆Φ% which shows that they can be a prospective work function-based sensor material.

METHODS

Electronic structure theory method based on first-principle density functional theory (DFT) computation at the B3LYP-GD3(BJ)/Def2-SVP level of theory was utilized through the use of the Gaussian 16 and GaussView 6.0.16 software packages. Post-processing computational code such as multi-wavefunction was employed for result analysis and visualization.

Modeling of magnesium-decorated graphene quantum dot nanostructure for trapping AsH3, PH3 and NH3 gases

A magnesium-decorated graphene quantum dot (C₂₄H₁₂-Mg) surface has been examined theoretically using density functional theory (DFT) computations at the ωB97XD/6-311++G(2p,2d) level of theory to determine its sensing capability toward XH₃ gases, where X = As, N and P, in four different phases: gas, benzene solvent, ethanol solvent and water. This research was carried out in different phases in order to predict the best possible phase for the adsorption of the toxic gases. Analysis of the electronic properties shows that in the different phases the energy gap follows the order NH₃@C₂₄H₁₂-Mg < PH₃@C₂₄H₁₂-Mg < AsH₃@C₂₄H₁₂-Mg. The results obtained from the adsorption studies show that all the calculated adsorption energies are negative, indicating that the nature of the adsorption is chemisorption. The adsorption energies can be arranged in an increasing trend of NH₃@C₂₄H₁₂-Mg < PH₃@C₂₄H₁₂-Mg < AsH₃@C₂₄H₁₂-Mg. The best adsorption performance was noted in the gas phase compared to the other studied counterparts. The interaction between the adsorbed gases and the surfaces shows a non-covalent interaction nature, as confirmed by the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) and non-covalent interactions (NCI) analysis. The overall results suggest that we can infer that the surface of the magnesium-decorated graphene quantum dot C₂₄H₁₂-Mg is more efficient for sensing the gas AsH₃ than PH₃ and NH₃.

Transition metal (X = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn)-doped graphene as gas sensor for CO2 and NO2 detection: a molecular modeling framework by DFT perspective

CONTEXT

In this research, CO₂ and NO₂ adsorption on doped nanographene (NG) sheets with transition metals (Fe, Ni, Zn) and (Mn, Co, Cu), respectively, have been applied for scavenging of these toxic gases as the environmental pollutants. The values of changes of atomic charge density have illustrated a more significant charge transfer for Ni-doped C-NG through CO₂ adsorption and a more remarkable charge transfer for Co-doped C-NG through NO₂ adsorption. The data of NMR spectroscopy has depicted several fluctuations around the graph of Zn-doped on the nanographene surface. The thermodynamic results from IR spectroscopy have indicated that [Formula: see text] values are almost similar for doped metal transitions of Mn, Co, and Cu on the C-NG nanosheet, while [Formula: see text] has the largest gap of Gibbs free energy adsorption with dipole moment.

METHODS

The Langmuir adsorption model with a three-layered ONIOM using CAM-B3LYP functional accompanying LANL2DZ, EPR-III and 6-31 + G (d,p) basis sets due to Gaussian 16 revision C.01 program on the complexes of CO₂ → (Fe, Ni, Zn) and NO₂ → (Mn, Co, Cu) doped on the C-NG has been accomplished. Then, NMR and IR spectroscopy, nuclear quadrupole resonance, and natural bond orbital analysis have been accomplished for evaluating chemical shielding tensors, thermodynamic properties, electric potential, and occupancy fluctuation through bond orbitals, respectively. In addition, frontier orbitals of LUMO, HOMO, and also a series of chemical reactivity parameters have been calculated. Finally, time-dependent-DFT method due to UV-VIS spectrums has been accomplished to discern the low-lying excited states of CO₂ and NO₂ adsorption on the (Fe, Ni, Zn) and (Mn, Co, Cu), respectively, doped C-NG sheet.

Therapeutic Potential of B12N12-X (X = Au, Os, and Pt) Nanostructured as Effective Fluorouracil (5Fu) Drug Delivery Materials

In view of the research-substantiated comparative efficiency of nontoxic and bioavailable nanomaterials synergic with human systems for drug delivery, this work was aimed at studying the comparative efficiency of transition metal (Au, Os, and Pt)-decorated B₁₂N₁₂ nanocages in the adsorption of fluorouracil (5Fu), an antimetabolite-classed anticarcinogen administered for cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, and cervix. Three different metal-decorated nanocages interacted with 5Fu drug at the oxygen (O) and fluorine (F) sites, resulting in six adsorbent-adsorbate systems whose reactivity and sensitivity were investigated using density functional theory computation at the B3LYP/def2TZVP level of theory with special emphasis on the structural geometry, electronic, and topology analysis as well as the thermodynamic properties of the systems. While the electronic studies predicted Os@F as having the lowest and most favorable E_gp and E_ad of 1.3306 eV and -11.9 kcal/mol, respectively, the thermodynamic evaluation showed Pt@F to have the most favorable thermal energy (E), heat capacity (C_p), and entropy (ΔS) values as well as negative ΔH and ΔG while the adsorption studies showed that the greatest degree of chemisorption with E_ad magnitude of -204.5023 kcal/mol was observed in energies ranging from -12.0 to 138.4 kcal/mol with Os@F and Au@F at the lower and upper borders. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules results show that the six systems had noncovalent interactions as well as a certain degree of partial covalency but none showed covalent interaction while the noncovalent interaction analysis corroborated this by showing that the six systems had favorable interactions, though of varying degrees, with very little trace of steric hindrance or electrostatic interactions. Overall, the study showed that notwithstanding the good performance of the six adsorbent systems considered, the Pt@F and Os@F showed the most favorable potential for the delivery of 5Fu.

B- and Al-Doped Porous 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks as Nanocarriers for Biguanides and Metformin Drugs

Nanostructures such as nanosheets, nanotubes, nanocages, and fullerenes have been extensively studied as potential candidates in various fields since the advancement of nanoscience. Herein, the interaction between biguanides (BGN) and metformin (MET) on the modified covalent organic framework (COF), COF-B, and COF-Al was investigated using density functional theory at the ωB97XD/6-311+G (d, p) level of computation to explore a new drug delivery system. The electronic properties evaluation reveals that the studied surfaces are suited for the delivery of both drug molecules. The calculated adsorption energies and basis set superposition errors (BSSE) ranged between -21.20 and -65.86 kJ/mol. The negative values obtained are an indication of excellent interaction between the drug molecules and the COF surfaces. Moreover, BGN is better adsorbed on COF-B with E_ads of -65.86 kJ/mol, while MET is better adsorbed on COF-Al with E_ads = -47.30 kJ/mol. The analysis of the quantum theory of atom in molecules (QTAIM) explained the nature and strength of intermolecular interaction existing between the drug molecules BGN and MET with the adsorbing surfaces. The analysis of noncovalent interaction (NCI) shows a weak hydrogen-bond interaction. Other properties such as quantum chemical descriptors and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis also agree with the potential of COF surfaces as drug delivery systems. The electron localization function (ELF) is discussed, and it confirms the transitions occurring in the NBO analysis of the complexes. In conclusion, COF-B and COF-Al are suitable candidates for the effective delivery of BGN and MET.

Computational design and molecular modeling of the interaction of nicotinic acid hydrazide nickel-based complexes with H2S gas

The application of nickel complexes of nicotinic acid hydrazide ligand as a potential gas-sensor and adsorbent material for H₂S gas was examined using appropriate density functional theory (DFT) calculations with the ωB97XD/Gen/6-311++G(d,p)/LanL2DZ method. The FT-IR spectrum of the synthesized ligand exhibited a medium band at 3178 cm^-1 attributed to ν(NH) stretching vibrations and strong bands at 1657 and 1600 cm^-1 corresponding to the presence of ν(C[double bond, length as m-dash]O) and ν(C[double bond, length as m-dash]N) vibration modes. In the spectrum of the nickel(ii) complex, the ν(C[double bond, length as m-dash]O) and ν(C[double bond, length as m-dash]N) vibration bands experience negative shifts to 1605 cm^-1 and 1580 cm^-1, respectively, compared to the ligand. This indicates the coordination of the carbonyl oxygen and the azomethine nitrogen atoms to the Ni²⁺ ion. Thus, the sensing mechanism of the complexes indicated a short recovery time and that the work function value increases for all complexes, necessitating an excellent H₂S gas sensor material. Thus, a profound assertion was given that the complex sensor surfaces exhibited very dense stability with regards to their relevant binding energies corresponding to various existing studies.