Assessing the Performance of Al12N12 and Al12P12 Nanostructured Materials for Alkali Metal Ion (Li, Na, K) Batteries

Adsorption and sensor performance of transition metal-decorated zirconium-doped silicon carbide nanotubes for NO2 gas application: a computational insight

Owing to the fact that the detection limit of already existing sensor-devices is below 100% efficiency, the use of 3D nanomaterials as detectors and sensors for various pollutants has attracted interest from researchers in this field. Therefore, the sensing potentials of bare and the impact of Cu-group transition metal (Cu, Ag, Au)-functionalized silicon carbide nanotube (SiCNT) nanostructured surfaces were examined towards the efficient detection of NO2 gas in the atmosphere. All computational calculations were carried out using the density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure method at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/def2svp level of theory. The mechanistic results showed that the Cu-functionalized silicon carbide nanotube surface possesses the greatest adsorption energies of -3.780 and -2.925 eV, corresponding to the adsorption at the o-site and n-site, respectively. Furthermore, the lowest energy gap of 2.095 eV for the Cu-functionalized surface indicates that adsorption at the o-site is the most stable. The stability of both adsorption sites on the Cu-functionalized surface was attributed to the small ellipticity (ε) values obtained. Sensor mechanisms confirmed that among the surfaces, the Cu-functionalized surface exhibited the best sensing properties, including sensitivity, conductivity, and enhanced adsorption capacity. Hence, the Cu-functionalized SiCNT can be considered a promising choice as a gas sensor material.

Exploring the potential of single-metals (Cu, Ni, Zn) decorated Al12N12 nanostructures as sensors for flutamide anticancer drug

In recent years, scientists have been actively exploring and expanding biosensor technologies and materials to meet the growing societal demands in healthcare and other fields. This study aims to revolutionize biosensors by using density functional theory (DFT) at the cutting-edge B3LYP-GD3BJ/def2tzsvp level to investigate the sensing capabilities of (Cu, Ni, and Zn) doped on Aluminum nitride (Al12N12) nanostructures. Specifically, we focus on their potential to detect, analyze, and sense the drug flutamide (FLU) efficiently. Through advanced computational techniques, we explore molecular interactions to pave the way for highly effective and versatile biosensors. The adsorption energy values of -38.76 kcal/mol, -39.39 kcal/mol, and -39.37 kcal/mol for FLU@Cu-Al12N12, FLU@Ni-Al12N12, and FLU@Zn-Al12N12, respectively, indicate that FLU chemically adsorbs on the studied nanostructures. The reactivity and conductivity of the system follow a decreasing pattern: FLU@Cu-Al12N12 > FLU@Ni-Al12N12 > FLU@Zn-Al12N12, with a band gap of 0.267 eV, 2.197 eV, and 2.932 eV, respectively. These results suggest that FLU preferably adsorbs on the Al12N12@Cu surface. Natural bond orbital analysis reveals significant transitions in the studied system. Quantum theory of atom in molecule (QTAIM) and Non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis confirm the nature and strength of interactions. Overall, our findings indicate that the doped surfaces show promise as electronic and biosensor materials for detection of FLU in real-world applications. We encourage experimental researchers to explore the use of (Cu, Ni, and Zn) doped on Aluminum nitride (Al12N12), particularly Al12N12@Cu, for biosensor applications.

Yttrium- and zirconium-decorated Mg12O12-X (X = Y, Zr) nanoclusters as sensors for diazomethane (CH2N2) gas

Diazomethane (CH2N2) presents a notable hazard as a respiratory irritant, resulting in various adverse effects upon exposure. Consequently, there has been increasing concern in the field of environmental research to develop a sensor material that exhibits heightened sensitivity and conductivity for the detection and adsorption of this gas. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the geometric structure of three systems: CH2N2@MgO (C1), CH2N2@YMgO (CY1), and CH2N2@ZrMgO (CZ1), in addition to pristine MgO nanocages. The investigation involves a theoretical analysis employing the DFT/ωB97XD method at the GenECP/6-311++G(d,p)/SDD level of theory. Notably, the examination of bond lengths within the MgO cage yielded specific values, including Mg15-O4 (1.896 Å), Mg19-O4 (1.952 Å), and Mg23-O4 (1.952 Å), thereby offering valuable insights into the structural properties and interactions with CH2N2 gas. Intriguingly, after the interaction, bond length variations were observed, with CH2N2@MgO exhibiting shorter bonds and CH2N2@YMgO showcasing longer bonds. Meanwhile, CH2N2@ZrMgO displayed shorter bonds, except for a longer bond in Mg19-O4, suggesting increased stability due to shorter bond distances. The study further investigated the electronic properties, revealing changes in the energy gap that influenced electrical conductivity and sensitivity. The energy gap increased for Zr@MgO, CH2N2@MgO, CH2N2@YMgO, and CH2N2@ZrMgO, indicating weak interactions on the MgO surface. Conversely, Y@MgO showed a decrease in energy, suggesting a strong interaction. The pure MgO surface exhibited the ability to donate and accept electrons, resulting in an energy gap of 4.799 eV. Surfaces decorated with yttrium and zirconium exhibited decreased energies of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), as well as decreased energy gap, indicating increased conductivity and sensitivity. Notably, Zr@MgO had the highest energy gap before CH2N2 adsorption, but C1 exhibited a significantly higher energy gap after adsorption, implying increased conductivity and sensitivity. The study also examined the density of states, demonstrating significant variations in the electronic properties of MgO and its decorated surfaces due to CH2N2 adsorption. Moreover, various analysis techniques were employed, including natural bond orbital (NBO), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis, which provided insights into bonding, charge density, and intermolecular interactions. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the sensing mechanisms of CH2N2 gas on nanocage surfaces, shedding light on adsorption energy, conductivity, and recovery time. These results hold significance for gas-sensing applications and provide a basis for further exploration and development in this field.

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.