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Mei KJ, Schwartz BJ. How Solvation Alters the Thermodynamics of Asymmetric Bond-Breaking: Quantum Simulation of NaK + in Liquid Tetrahydrofuran. J Phys Chem Lett 2024:8187-8195. [PMID: 39093598 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Gas-phase potential energy surfaces (PESs) are often used to provide an intuitive understanding of molecular chemical reactivity. Most chemical reactions, however, take place in solution, and it is unclear whether gas-phase PESs accurately represent chemical processes in solvent environments. In this work we use quantum simulations to investigate the dissociation energetics of NaK+ in liquid tetrahydrofuran (THF) to understand the degree to which solvent interactions alter the gas-phase picture. Using umbrella sampling and thermodynamic integration techniques, we construct condensed-phase free energy surfaces of NaK+ on THF in both the ground and electronic excited states. We find that solvation by THF completely alters the nature of the NaK+ bond by reordering the thermodynamic dissociation products. Reaching the thermodynamic dissociation limit in THF also requires a long-range charge transfer process that has no counterpart in the gas phase. Gas-phase PESs, even with perturbations, cannot adequately describe the reactivity of simple asymmetric molecules in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth J Mei
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Benjamin J Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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2
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Mei K, Borrelli WR, Vong A, Schwartz BJ. Using Machine Learning to Understand the Causes of Quantum Decoherence in Solution-Phase Bond-Breaking Reactions. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:903-911. [PMID: 38241152 PMCID: PMC10839908 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Decoherence is a fundamental phenomenon that occurs when an entangled quantum state interacts with its environment, leading to collapse of the wave function. The inevitability of decoherence provides one of the most intrinsic limits of quantum computing. However, there has been little study of the precise chemical motions from the environment that cause decoherence. Here, we use quantum molecular dynamics simulations to explore the photodissociation of Na2+ in liquid Ar, in which solvent fluctuations induce decoherence and thus determine the products of chemical bond breaking. We use machine learning to characterize the solute-solvent environment as a high-dimensional feature space that allows us to predict when and onto which photofragment the bonding electron will localize. We find that reaching a requisite photofragment separation and experiencing out-of-phase solvent collisions underlie decoherence during chemical bond breaking. Our work highlights the utility of machine learning for interpreting complex solution-phase chemical processes as well as identifies the molecular underpinnings of decoherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth
J. Mei
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - William R. Borrelli
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Andy Vong
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Benjamin J. Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry &
Biochemistry, University of California,
Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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3
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Etale A, Onyianta AJ, Turner SR, Eichhorn SJ. Cellulose: A Review of Water Interactions, Applications in Composites, and Water Treatment. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2016-2048. [PMID: 36622272 PMCID: PMC9999429 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Cellulose is known to interact well with water, but is insoluble in it. Many polysaccharides such as cellulose are known to have significant hydrogen bond networks joining the molecular chains, and yet they are recalcitrant to aqueous solvents. This review charts the interaction of cellulose with water but with emphasis on the formation of both natural and synthetic fiber composites. Covering studies concerning the interaction of water with wood, the biosynthesis of cellulose in the cell wall, to its dispersion in aqueous suspensions and ultimately in water filtration and fiber-based composite materials this review explores water-cellulose interactions and how they can be exploited for synthetic and natural composites. The suggestion that cellulose is amphiphilic is critically reviewed, with relevance to its processing. Building on this, progress made in using various charged and modified forms of nanocellulose to stabilize oil-water emulsions is addressed. The role of water in the aqueous formation of chiral nematic liquid crystals, and subsequently when dried into composite films is covered. The review will also address the use of cellulose as an aid to water filtration as one area where interactions can be used effectively to prosper human life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Etale
- Bristol Composites Institute, School of Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TR, United Kingdom
| | - Amaka J Onyianta
- Bristol Composites Institute, School of Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TR, United Kingdom
| | - Simon R Turner
- School of Biological Science, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, ManchesterM13 9PT, U.K
| | - Stephen J Eichhorn
- Bristol Composites Institute, School of Civil, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, University Walk, BristolBS8 1TR, United Kingdom
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4
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Dong H, Feng Y, Bu Y. Electron Presolvation in Tetrahydrofuran-Incorporated Supramolecular Sodium Entities. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:1402-1412. [PMID: 36748233 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c06944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alkali metal atoms can repopulate their valence electrons toward solvation due to impact from solvents or microsurroundings and provide the remaining alkali metal cations for coordinating with a variety of specific solvents, forming various electron-expanded complexes or solvated ionic pairs with special interactions. Such special solute-solvent interactions not only affect their electronic structures but also enable the formation of entirely new species. Taking Na(THF)n (n = 1-6, THF = tetrahydrofuran) and Na2@THF complexes as typical representatives, density functional theory calculations are carried out to explore the solvation of a sodium atom and its dimer in THF and characterize their complexes as solvent-incorporated supramolecular entities and particularly valence electron presolvation due to their interaction with solvent THF. Electron presolvation is caused by the Pauli repulsion between THF containing a coordinating O atom with a lone pair of electrons and the alkali metal Na or Na2 containing valence electrons, and THF coordination to them forces their valence electrons to redistribute, which can be easily realized in such solvents. Compared with strongly bound valance electrons of alkali metal atoms, THF coordination enables Na or Na2 electrons to exhibit much more active states (i.e., the presolvated states) featuring small vertical detachment energies of electrons and distorted diffuse distributions in the frames of the generally structured metal cation complexes, acting as the electron-expanded chemical entities. Furthermore, the degree of electron diffusion and the polarity of the Na-Na bond are proportional to the coordination number (n) and the coordination number difference (Δn) between two Na centers in Na2@THF. The unique properties of such entities are also discussed. This work offers a theoretical support to the supramolecular entities formed by alkali-metal atoms or their dimers with ligands containing O or N and uncovers the unique electron presolvation phenomena and also enriches our understanding of the novel metal atom complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Dong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan250100, P. R. China
| | - Yiwei Feng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan250100, P. R. China
| | - Yuxiang Bu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan250100, P. R. China
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5
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Rio J, Perrin L, Payard P. Structure–Reactivity Relationship of Organozinc and Organozincate Reagents: Key Elements towards Molecular Understanding. European J Org Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202200906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Rio
- Univ Lyon Université Claude Bernard Lyon I CNRS INSA CPE UMR 5246 ICBMS Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires 1 rue Victor Grignard 69622 Villeurbanne cedex France
| | - Lionel Perrin
- Univ Lyon Université Claude Bernard Lyon I CNRS INSA CPE UMR 5246 ICBMS Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires 1 rue Victor Grignard 69622 Villeurbanne cedex France
| | - Pierre‐Adrien Payard
- Univ Lyon Université Claude Bernard Lyon I CNRS INSA CPE UMR 5246 ICBMS Institut de Chimie et de Biochimie Moléculaires et Supramoléculaires 1 rue Victor Grignard 69622 Villeurbanne cedex France
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6
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Vong A, Mei KJ, Widmer DR, Schwartz BJ. Solvent Control of Chemical Identity Can Change Photodissociation into Photoisomerization. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:7931-7938. [PMID: 35980729 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In solution-phase chemistry, the solvent is often considered to be merely a medium that allows reacting solutes to encounter each other. In this work, however, we show that moderate locally specific solute-solvent interactions can affect not only the nature of the solute but also the types of reactive chemistry. We use quantum simulation methods to explore how solvent participation in solute chemical identity alters reactions involving the breaking of chemical bonds. In particular, we explore the photoexcitation dynamics of Na2+ dissolved in liquid tetrahydrofuran. In the gas phase, excitation of Na2+ directly leads to dissociation, but in solution, photoexcitation leads to an isomerization reaction involving rearrangement of the first-shell solvent molecules; this isomerization must go to completion before the solute can dissociate. Despite the complexity, the solution-phase reaction dynamics can be captured by a two-dimensional energy surface where one dimension involves only the isomerization of the first-shell solvent molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Vong
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Kenneth J Mei
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Devon R Widmer
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Benjamin J Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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7
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Vong A, Schwartz BJ. Bond-Breaking Reactions Encounter Distinct Solvent Environments Causing Breakdown of Linear Response. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:6783-6791. [PMID: 35856802 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Solvent effects are important for understanding solution-phase chemical reactions. Surprisingly, very few studies have explored how solvent dynamics change during the course of a reaction with solutes that encounter a wide range of configurations. Here, we use quantum simulation methods to explore the solvent dynamics during a solution-phase bond-breaking reaction: the photodissociation of Na2+ in liquid Ar. We find that the solute experiences a small number of distinct solvent environments that change in a discrete fashion as the bond lengthens. In characterizing the solvent environments, we show also that linear response fails by all measures, even when nonstationarity of solvent dynamics is considered. This observation of distinct solvent response environments with a solvent that can undergo only translational motions highlights the complexity of solute-solvent interactions, but that there are only a few environments gives hope to the idea that solvation dynamics can be understood for solution-phase reactions that explore a wide configuration space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Vong
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Benjamin J Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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8
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Mallick S, Zhou Y, Chen X, Tan YN, Meng M, Cao L, Qin Y, He ZC, Cheng T, Zhu GY, Liu CY. A Single Solvating Benzene Molecule Decouples the Mixed-valence Complex through Intermolecular Orbital Interactions. iScience 2022; 25:104365. [PMID: 35620431 PMCID: PMC9126792 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterization of covalency of intermolecular interactions in the van der Waals distance limit remains challenging because the interactions between molecules are weak, dynamic, and not measurable. Herein, we approach this issue in a series of supramolecular mixed-valence (MV) donor(D)-bridge(B)-acceptor(A) systems consisting of two bridged Mo2 units with a C6H6 molecule encapsulated, as characterized by the X-ray crystal structures. Comparative analysis of the intervalence charge transfer spectra in benzene and dichloromethane substantiates the strong electronic decoupling effect of the solvating C6H6 molecule that breaks down the dielectric solvation theory. Ab initio and DFT calculations unravel that the intermolecular orbital overlaps between the complex bridge and the C6H6 molecule alter the electronic states of the D-B-A molecule through intermolecular nuclear dynamics. This work exemplifies that site-specific intermolecular interaction can be exploited to control the chemical property of supramolecular systems and to elucidate the functionalities of side-chains in biological systems. Decoupling mixed-valence complexes by an encapsulated benzene molecule Demonstrating intermolecular orbital interactions in the van der Waals distances Illustrating interplay between intermolecular electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Mallick
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yuli Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Ying Ning Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Miao Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Lijiu Cao
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Yi Qin
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Zi Cong He
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Tao Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Guang Yuan Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Chun Y. Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Jinan University, 601 Huang-Pu Avenue West, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Corresponding author
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9
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Nag E, Kulkarni A, Gorantla SMNVT, Graw N, Francis M, Herbst-Irmer R, Stalke D, Roesky HW, Mondal KC, Roy S. Fluorescent organo-antimony compounds as precursors for syntheses of redox-active trimeric and dimeric alkali metal antimonides: an insight into electron transfer reduction processes. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:1791-1805. [PMID: 35023531 DOI: 10.1039/d1dt03398k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
(Tip)2SbCl (1, Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl) has been utilized as a precursor for the synthesis of the distibane (Tip)4Sb2 (4) via one-electron reduction using KC8. The two-electron reduction of 1 and 4 afforded the novel trinuclear antimonide cluster [K3((Tip)2Sb)3(THF)5] (6). Changing the reducing agent from KC8 to a different alkali metal resulted in the solid-state isolation of corresponding stable dimeric alkali metal antimonides with the general formula [M2((Tip)2Sb)2(THF)p-x(tol)x] (M = Li (14), Na (15), Cs (16)). In this report, different aspects of the various reducing agents [K metal, KC8, and [K2(Naph)2(THF)]] used have been studied, correlating the experimental observations with previous reports. Additional reactivity studies involving 1 and AgNTf2 (Tf = trifluoromethanesulfonyl) afforded the corresponding antimony cation (Tip)2Sb+NTf2- (19). The Lewis acidic character of 19 has been unambiguously proved via treatment with Lewis bases to produce the corresponding adducts 20 and 21. Interestingly, the precursors 1 and 4 have been observed to be highly luminescent, emitting green light under short-wavelength UV radiation. All the reported compounds have been characterized via NMR, UV-vis, mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies of 1 in THF showed possible two electron reduction, suggesting the in situ generation of the corresponding radical-anion intermediate 1˙- and its subsequent conversion to the monomeric intermediate (Tip)2Sb- (5) upon further reduction. 5 undergoes oligomerization in the solid state to produce 6. The existence of 1˙- was proved using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in solution. CV studies of 6 suggested its potential application as a reducing agent, which was further proved via the conversion of Tip-PCl2 to trimeric (Tip)3P3 (17), and cAACP-Cl (cAAC = cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene) to (cAAC)2P2 (18) and 4, utilizing 6 as a stoichiometric reducing agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Nag
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India.
| | - Aditya Kulkarni
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India.
| | | | - Nico Graw
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität, Tammannstraβe 4, 37077-Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria Francis
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India.
| | - Regine Herbst-Irmer
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität, Tammannstraβe 4, 37077-Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dietmar Stalke
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität, Tammannstraβe 4, 37077-Göttingen, Germany
| | - Herbert W Roesky
- Institut für Anorganische Chemie, Georg-August-Universität, Tammannstraβe 4, 37077-Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kartik Chandra Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
| | - Sudipta Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India.
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10
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Recovering the electrochemical window by forming a localized solvation nanostructure in ionic liquids with trace water. Sci China Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-021-1111-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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11
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Rampal N, Wang HW, Biriukov D, Brady AB, Neuefeind JC, Předota M, Stack AG. Local molecular environment drives speciation and reactivity of ion complexes in concentrated salt solution. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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12
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Vong A, Widmer DR, Schwartz BJ. Nonequilibrium Solvent Effects during Photodissociation in Liquids: Dynamical Energy Surfaces, Caging, and Chemical Identity. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:9230-9238. [PMID: 33064478 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the gas phase, potential energy surfaces can be used to provide insight into the details of photochemical reaction dynamics. In solution, however, it is unclear what potential energy surfaces, if any, can be used to describe even simple chemical reactions such as the photodissociation of a diatomic solute. In this paper, we use mixed quantum/classical (MQC) molecular dynamics (MD) to study the photodissociation of Na2+ in both liquid Ar and liquid tetrahydrofuran (THF). We examine both the gas-phase potential surfaces and potentials of mean force (PMF), which assume that the solvent remains at equilibrium with the solute throughout the photodissociation process and show that neither resemble a nonequilibrium dynamical energy surface that is generated by taking the time integral of work. For the photodissociation of Na2+ in liquid Ar, the dynamical energy surface shows clear signatures of solvent caging, and the degree of caging is directly related to the mass of the solvent atoms. For Na2+ in liquid THF, local specific interactions between the solute and solvent lead to changes in chemical identity that create a kinetic trap that effectively prevents the molecule from dissociating. The results show that nonequilibrium effects play an important role even in simple solution-phase reactions, requiring the use of dynamical energy surface to understand such chemical events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Vong
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Devon R Widmer
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Benjamin J Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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13
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Baskin A, Prendergast D. Ion Solvation Engineering: How to Manipulate the Multiplicity of the Coordination Environment of Multivalent Ions. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:9336-9343. [PMID: 33090799 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c02682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Free energy analysis of solvation structures of free divalent cations, their ion pairs, and neutral aggregates in low dielectric solvents reveals the multiplicity of thermodynamically stable cation solvation configurations and identifies the micro- and macroscopic factors responsible for this phenomenon. Specifically, we show the role of ion-solvent interactions and solvent mixtures in determining the cation solvation free energy landscapes. We show that it is the entropic contribution of solvent degrees of freedom that is responsible for the solvation multiplicity, and the mutual balance between enthalpic and entropic forces or their concerted contributions is what ultimately defines the most stable ion solvation configuration and creates new ones. We show general consequences of ion solvation multiplicity on thermodynamics of complex electrolytes, specifically in the context of homogeneous or interfacial charge transfer. Identified factors and their interplay provide a pathway to formulation of solvation design rules that can be used to control bulk solvation, interfacial chemistry, and charge transfer. Our findings also suggest experimentally testable predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Baskin
- Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - David Prendergast
- Joint Center for Energy Storage Research, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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14
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Kavanagh MA, Karlsson JKG, Colburn JD, Barter LMC, Gould IR. A TDDFT investigation of the Photosystem II reaction center: Insights into the precursors to charge separation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:19705-19712. [PMID: 32747579 PMCID: PMC7443915 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922158117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Photosystem II (PS II) captures solar energy and directs charge separation (CS) across the thylakoid membrane during photosynthesis. The highly oxidizing, charge-separated state generated within its reaction center (RC) drives water oxidation. Spectroscopic studies on PS II RCs are difficult to interpret due to large spectral congestion, necessitating modeling to elucidate key spectral features. Herein, we present results from time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations on the largest PS II RC model reported to date. This model explicitly includes six RC chromophores and both the chlorin phytol chains and the amino acid residues <6 Å from the pigments' porphyrin ring centers. Comparing our wild-type model results with calculations on mutant D1-His-198-Ala and D2-His-197-Ala RCs, our simulated absorption-difference spectra reproduce experimentally observed shifts in known chlorophyll absorption bands, demonstrating the predictive capabilities of this model. We find that inclusion of both nearby residues and phytol chains is necessary to reproduce this behavior. Our calculations provide a unique opportunity to observe the molecular orbitals that contribute to the excited states that are precursors to CS. Strikingly, we observe two high oscillator strength, low-lying states, in which molecular orbitals are delocalized over ChlD1 and PheD1 as well as one weaker oscillator strength state with molecular orbitals delocalized over the P chlorophylls. Both these configurations are a match for previously identified exciton-charge transfer states (ChlD1+PheD1-)* and (PD2+PD1-)*. Our results demonstrate the power of TDDFT as a tool, for studies of natural photosynthesis, or indeed future studies of artificial photosynthetic complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maeve A Kavanagh
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua K G Karlsson
- Molecular Photonics Laboratory, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan D Colburn
- School of Chemistry, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland
| | - Laura M C Barter
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom;
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
| | - Ian R Gould
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom;
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ London, United Kingdom
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15
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Widmer DR, Schwartz BJ. The Role of the Solvent in the Condensed-Phase Dynamics and Identity of Chemical Bonds: The Case of the Sodium Dimer Cation in THF. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:6603-6616. [PMID: 32603114 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c03298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
When a solute molecule is placed in solution, is it acceptable to presume that its electronic structure is essentially the same as that in the gas phase? In this paper, we address this question from a simulation perspective for the case of the sodium dimer cation (Na2+) molecule in both liquid Ar and liquid tetrahydrofuran (THF). In previous work, we showed that, when local specific interactions between a solute and solvent are energetically on the order of a hydrogen bond, the solvent can become part of the chemical identity of the solute. Here, using mixed quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulations, we see that, for the Na2+ molecule, solute-solvent interactions lead to two stable, chemically distinct coordination states (Na(THF)4-Na(THF)5+ and Na(THF)5-Na(THF)5+) that are not only stable themselves as gas-phase molecules but that also have a completely new electronic structure with important implications for the excited-state photodissociation of this molecule in the condensed phase. Furthermore, we show through a set of comparative classical simulations that treating the solute's bonding electron explicitly quantum mechanically is necessary to understand both the ground-state dynamics and chemical identity of this simple diatomic molecule; even use of the quantum-derived potential of mean force is insufficient to describe the behavior of the molecule classically. Finally, we calculate the results of a proposed transient hole-burning experiment that could be used to spectroscopically disentangle the presence of the different coordination states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon R Widmer
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
| | - Benjamin J Schwartz
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, United States
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16
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Jonely M, Noriega R. Role of Polar Protic Solvents in the Dissociation and Reactivity of Photogenerated Radical Ion Pairs. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:3083-3089. [PMID: 32239936 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b11299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The UV photolysis of bimolecular charge transfer complexes is employed to yield reactive radical ions in their solvent-equilibrated electronic ground state. In polar protic media, noncovalent complexes of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene and toluene undergo efficient, ultrafast dissociation to ion pairs and equilibrate with their solvent environment before the resulting radical ions engage in electron transfer and proton abstraction on subnanosecond time scales. Solvent molecules play a critical role in these reactive pathways and in the dissociation and relaxation processes that precede them. We report a clear separation of time scales for these relaxation and reactive processes, which implies that solvent-solute interactions can be used as a tool for tuning the reaction pathways of equilibrated radical ions in solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenzie Jonely
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Rodrigo Noriega
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 S. 1400 E, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
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17
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Venkatraman RK, Orr-Ewing AJ. Photochemistry of Benzophenone in Solution: A Tale of Two Different Solvent Environments. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:15222-15229. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.9b07047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kumar Venkatraman
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Orr-Ewing
- School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock’s Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, United Kingdom
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18
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Wang HW, Graham TR, Mamontov E, Page K, Stack AG, Pearce CI. Countercations Control Local Specific Bonding Interactions and Nucleation Mechanisms in Concentrated Water-in-Salt Solutions. J Phys Chem Lett 2019; 10:3318-3325. [PMID: 31145618 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b01416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
One of the continuing challenges presented in salt solutions is understanding ion association reactions driving dynamic demixing from solvation, complexation, and solute clustering. The problems understanding this phenomenon are exacerbated in the highly concentrated water-in-salt solutions, where the deficiency of water leads to a dramatic retardation of water solvent and formation of extended solvent-solute clustering networks. By probing microscopic dynamics of water and prenucleation clusters using quasi-elastic neutron scattering and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we observed contrasting mechanistic specifics of ion-water mobilities in highly concentrated Na+- versus K+-based aluminate solutions (diffusion coefficients of 0.2 vs 2.6 × 10-10 m2 s-1 at 293 K, respectively). The magnitude of the differences is far beyond countercations acting as simple innocent charge-balancing species or water solvents functioning as a simple medium for ion diffusion. The distinct crystallization mechanisms observed further imply that different prenucleation cluster dynamics can either frustrate or promote crystallization, as described by nonclassical nucleation theory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Trent R Graham
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
| | | | | | | | - Carolyn I Pearce
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory , Richland , Washington 99352 , United States
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19
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Fan Y, Sheng Z, Chen J, Pan H, Chen B, Wu F, Wang S, Chen X, Hou X. Visual Chemical Detection Mechanism by a Liquid Gating System with Dipole-Induced Interfacial Molecular Reconfiguration. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 58:3967-3971. [PMID: 30644153 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201814752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Chemical detection has a wide range of applications. The detection of a certain substance is so vital that new detection mechanisms with features such as low-cost, accessibility, and readily available visual markers are in demand. Herein, a liquid-gating-based chemical-detection mechanism is reported, which has a dynamic gas/liquid interface due to dipole-induced interfacial molecular reconfiguration. The mechanism exhibits a sensitive relationship between the dipole-force-induced rearrangement of interfacial molecules and transmembrane gating behavior. These features can be utilized to create visual markers for detection by converting the analyte-mediated interfacial interaction to a pressure-driven marker movement. This "green" detection mechanism requires no electrical energy input and has readily available markers for anyone to observe directly. This new mechanism opens a window for a more in-depth exploration of combining liquid-gating mechanisms with detection mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Zhizhi Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Hong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Baiyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Feng Wu
- Research Institute for Soft Matter and Biomimetics, College of Physical Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Shuli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Graphene Industry and Engineering Research Institute, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
| | - Xu Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Research Institute for Soft Matter and Biomimetics, College of Physical Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China.,Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, P. R. China
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20
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Fan Y, Sheng Z, Chen J, Pan H, Chen B, Wu F, Wang S, Chen X, Hou X. Visual Chemical Detection Mechanism by a Liquid Gating System with Dipole‐Induced Interfacial Molecular Reconfiguration. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201814752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Zhizhi Sheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy MaterialsXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Jun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy MaterialsXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Hong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Baiyi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy MaterialsXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Feng Wu
- Research Institute for Soft Matter and BiomimeticsCollege of Physical Science and TechnologyXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Shuli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy MaterialsXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Chen
- Graphene Industry and Engineering Research InstituteXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
| | - Xu Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid SurfacesCollege of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy MaterialsXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Research Institute for Soft Matter and BiomimeticsCollege of Physical Science and TechnologyXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
- Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and TechnologyXiamen University Xiamen 361005 P. R. China
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21
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Percino MJ, Cerón M, Venkatesan P, Pérez-Gutiérrez E, Santos P, Ceballos P, Castillo AE, Gordillo-Guerra P, Anandhan K, Barbosa-García O, Bernal W, Thamotharan S. A low molecular weight OLED material: 2-(4-((2-hydroxyethyl)(methyl)amino)benzylidene)malononitrile. Synthesis, crystal structure, thin film morphology, spectroscopic characterization and DFT calculations. RSC Adv 2019; 9:28704-28717. [PMID: 35529660 PMCID: PMC9071261 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra05425a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A low molecular weight fluorescent malononitrile derivative showed an efficient solid-state emission and electroluminescence properties.
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22
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Chen R. Toward High‐Voltage, Energy‐Dense, and Durable Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries: Role of the Supporting Electrolytes. ChemElectroChem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201801505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyong Chen
- Transfercenter Sustainable ElectrochemistrySaarland University 66125 Saarbrücken Germany
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Europe Campus E7 1 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
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23
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Li M, Reimers JR, Dobson JF, Gould T. Faraday cage screening reveals intrinsic aspects of the van der Waals attraction. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10295-E10302. [PMID: 30327347 PMCID: PMC6217410 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811569115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
General properties of the recently observed screening of the van der Waals (vdW) attraction between a silica substrate and silica tip by insertion of graphene are predicted using basic theory and first-principles calculations. Results are then focused on possible practical applications, as well as an understanding of the nature of vdW attraction, considering recent discoveries showing it competing against covalent and ionic bonding. The traditional view of the vdW attraction as arising from pairwise-additive London dispersion forces is considered using Grimme's "D3" method, comparing results to those from Tkatchenko's more general many-body dispersion (MBD) approach, all interpreted in terms of Dobson's general dispersion framework. Encompassing the experimental results, MBD screening of the vdW force between two silica bilayers is shown to scale up to medium separations as 1.25 de/d, where d is the bilayer separation and de is its equilibrium value, depicting antiscreening approaching and inside de Means of unifying this correlation effect with those included in modern density functionals are urgently required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musen Li
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Jeffrey R Reimers
- International Centre for Quantum and Molecular Structures, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China;
- Department of Physics, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - John F Dobson
- School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Tim Gould
- School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia;
- Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
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