Exploring the novel donor-nanotube archetype as an efficient third-order nonlinear optical material: asymmetric open-shell carbon nanotubes

Tuning optical properties of π-conjugated double nanohoops under external electric field stimuli-responsiveness

Carbon nanorings have attracted substantial interest from synthetic chemists due to their unique topological structures and distinct physical properties. An intriguing π-conjugated double-nanoring structure, denoted as [8]CPP-[10]cyclacene, was constructed via the integration of [8]cycloparaphenylene ([8]CPP) into [10]cyclacene. Using the external electric field stimuli-responsiveness of [8]CPP-[10]cyclacene, directional charge transfer can be induced, resulting in the emergence of intriguing properties. The effects of the external electric field in three specific directions were explored, vertically in the [8]CPP unit (Fy), vertically in the [10]cyclacene unit (Fz), and horizontally along the double nanorings diameter (Fx). Interestingly, the external electric field vertically to the [10]cyclacene unit significantly enhanced the first hyperpolarizability (βtot) compared to that vertically to the [8]CPP unit. Notably, [8]CPP-[10]cyclacene under Fx exhibited significantly larger the βtot values (1.48 × 105 a.u.) than those of vertical Fy and Fz. This work opens up a wide range of nonlinear optics, making it a compelling area to explore in the field of carbon nanomaterials.

Synthesis, Characterization, Crystal Structures, and Supramolecular Assembly of Copper Complexes Derived from Nitroterephthalic Acid along with Hirshfeld Surface Analysis and Quantum Chemical Studies

Two new Cu(II) carboxylate complexes, Cu-NTA and Cu-DNTA, were prepared by treating 2-nitroterephthalic acid with CuSO₄·5H₂O at room temperature. The synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental (CHN), FT-IR, and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structures of both complexes were explored by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, which inferred that the coordination geometry is slightly distorted octahedral and square pyramidal in Cu-NTA and Cu-DNTA, respectively. The non-covalent interactions that are the main feature of the supramolecular assembly were investigated by Hirshfeld surface analysis for both complexes. The propensity of each pair of chemical moieties involved in crystal-packing interactions was determined by the enrichment ratio. Quantum chemical computations were performed to optimize the molecular geometry of complex Cu-NTA and compared it with the experimental single crystal structure, which was found to be in sensible agreement with the experimental structure of the complex. The DFT method was used to see the potential of the selected Cu-NTA complex for linear and nonlinear optical properties. The static NLO polarizability <γ> of complex Cu-NTA was calculated to be 86.28 × 10^-36 esu at M06 functional and 6-31G*/LANL2DZ basis set, which was rationally large to look for NLO applications of complex Cu-NTA. Additionally, the molecular electrostatic potential and frontier molecular orbitals were also computed with the same methodology to see electronic characteristics and ground-state electronic charge distributions.

Tuning the charge transfer and optoelectronic properties of tetrathiafulvalene based organic dye-sensitized solar cells: a theoretical approach

Here, we have designed a series of dyes following the donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) architecture by incorporating tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) as the donor unit and phthalazine (PTZ), diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and quinoxaline (QNX) as the acceptor units, along with the thiophene unit as a π-bridge. The designed dyes have been designated as TTF-PTZ, TTF-DPP and TTF-QNX respectively. We have used cyanoacrylic acid as the anchoring group for the dyes TTF-PTZ and TTF-DPP, while for the third dye, TTF-QNX, we used a carboxylic group. The structural, electronic and photochemical properties of the designed dyes are investigated under the regime of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods. In this regard, the dihedral angle, energies of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), energy difference between the HOMO and LUMO (Δ_H–L values), partial density of states (PDOS), ground state oxidation potential (GSOP), excited state oxidation potential (ESOP), ionization potential (IP), electron affinity (EA), molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPS) analysis, reorganization energy (λ), electronic coupling matrix element (V), charge transfer rate (k_CT), hopping mobility (μ_hop), absorption spectra, exciton binding energy (EBE) and electron density difference (EDD) of the designed dyes are calculated. This study reveals that the dyes TTF-DPP-4 and TTF-DPP-6′ exhibit the lowest Δ_H–L values. The study also reveals that the attachment of the –NH₂ group at the donor unit and the –NO₂ and –CF₃ groups at the acceptor units lower the Δ_H–L values of all of the designed dyes. We have also observed that the GSOP of all the designed dyes lie below the redox potential of the I⁻/I₃⁻ electrolyte couple. However, the ESOP of the TTF-PTZ and TTF-QNX groups of dyes, along with the most of the dyes belonging to the TTF-DPP group, lie above the conduction band of the TiO₂ semiconducting surface. Moreover, the total reorganization energy (λ_tot) values are low for the TTF-DPP and TTF-QNX groups of dyes, which confirm the better electron–hole separation efficiency in these groups of dyes. Furthermore, the absorption properties of the designed dyes indicate that the TTF-DPP groups of dyes possess the maximum absorption wavelength (λ_max) values and attachment of the –CH₃ group at the donor part increases the electron density of the dyes, which in turn results into the maximum red-shift. Therefore, the study reveals that the designed dyes are likely to exhibit facile charge transport. Moreover, the electronic properties of the dye–TiO₂ clusters strengthen the performance of the dyes compared to those of the isolated dyes. Hence, our study provides good recommendations for the further design of dyes to enhance the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs).

Here, we have designed a series of dyes following the donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) architecture by incorporating TTF as the donor unit and PTZ, DPP and QNX as the acceptor units, along with the thiophene unit as a π-bridge.

Tuning the electronic and nonlinear optical properties of black phosphorus quantum dots by introducing electron-donating/withdrawing molecules (TTF/TCNQ)

Black phosphorous quantum dots can exhibit excellent nonlinear optical properties after adsorbing organic molecules (TTF and TCNQ).

End-capped group manipulation of non-fullerene acceptors for efficient organic photovoltaic solar cells: a DFT study

A series of acceptors, S1-S5, has been designed based on the acceptor-π-donor-π-acceptor (A-π-D-π-A) architecture by incorporating a phenothiazine unit as the central donor unit. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods have been employed to study the effect of various end-capped groups on the geometric, electronic, optical and charge transport properties of the designed acceptor molecules. The results reveal that on increasing the electron-withdrawing nature of the end-capped groups, the performance of the acceptor molecules increases. It is also observed that on increasing the flexibility of the end-capped groups, the planarity of the molecules gets destroyed and, as a result, the performance of the acceptor molecules decreases. The investigated molecules exhibit high electron affinity (EA) and low reorganization energy for electrons (λ-), indicating the electron acceptor nature of the designed molecules. The absorption properties of the molecules manifest that compounds S2-S4 possess high values of the maximum wavelength (λmax) of absorption. We have also studied the properties of a D/A active layer by considering PffBT4T-2OD as the electron donor and arranging PffBT4T-2OD/S1-S5 molecules in a face to face manner. Properties of the D/A blend indicate that molecules S2-S4 have capacity to promote charge carrier separation at the D/A active layer. Our results provide guidelines for further designing of acceptors to enhance the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs).

Exploration of adsorption behavior, electronic nature and NLO response of hydrogen adsorbed Alkali metals (Li, Na and K) encapsulated Al12N12 nanocages

Due to the increasing demand of Al[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] in optoelectronics and sensing materials, we intended to investigate the adsorption behavior, electronic nature and NLO response of hydrogen and different metals decorated Al[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] nanocages. Different systems are designed by hydrogen adsorption and encapsulation of metals (Li, Na and K) in Al[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text]. Density functional theory at B3LYP functional with conjunction of 6-31G([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] basis set is utilized in order to gain optimized geometries. Different calculations including linear and first-order hyperpolarizability are conducted at same level of theory. Instead of chemiosorption, a phyisosorption phenomenon is seen in all hydrogen adsorbed metal encapsulated Al[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] nanoclusters. The [Formula: see text] analysis confirmed the charge separation in hydrogen adsorbed metal encapsulated nanocages. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) analysis cleared the different charge sites in all the systems. Similarly, frontier molecular orbitals analysis corroborated the charge densities shifting upon hydrogen adsorption on metal encapsulated AlN nanocages. HOMO–LUMO band gaps suggest effective use of H2-M-AlN in sensing materials. Global indices of reactivity also endorsed that all hydrogen adsorbed metal encapsulated systems are better materials than pure Al[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] nanocage for sensing applications. Lastly, linear and first hyperpolarizability of H2-M-AlN nanocages are found to be greater than M-AlN and pure AlN nanocages. Results of these parameters recommend metal encapsulated nanocages as efficient contributors for the applications in hydrogen sensing and optoelectronic devices.

Exploring the potential of novel transition metal complexes derived from ONO donor type ligand: a quantum chemical study

In the present quantum chemical investigation, we predict several novel transition metal complexes which are designed using tridentate ONO donor type Schiff base ligand (2-((E)-((Z)-4-hydroxypent-3-en-2-ylidene) amino) phenol). The stable molecular geometries of newly designed metal complexes are obtained using density functional theory (DFT) methods. Several properties including geometrical parameters, energies of frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), and interaction energies are calculated for optimized metal complexes. The more negative interaction energies illustrate more susceptibilities of the reaction of metal cations with ligand. The charge transfers from ligand to metals are observed in the d⁷ and d⁸ metal complexes while it is seen as backdonation of charge from metal to ligand in the d¹⁰ complexes. The quantum chemical characterizations are performed for calculating UV-visible spectra and IR frequencies for all the designed metal complexes. All designed metal complexes show multiple absorption peaks in UV region ranging from 184 to 376 nm, which are related to metal to ligand and ligand to metal charge transfer processes. The IR frequency analysis shows that the -C=N- stretching frequency of ligand in the region of 1650-1580 cm^-1 is decreased by between 50 and 100 cm^-1, which may assign the coordination of ligand with metal via nitrogen. Moreover, the investigations of nonlinear optical (NLO) polarizabilities among selected complexes show that these complexes may possess good potential for NLO applications. The most interesting results are found about the third-order NLO polarizabilities (γ_||) where the γ_|| amplitudes are found to be 60.01 × 10^-36, 56.48 × 10^-36, 90.04 × 10^-36, and 64.57 × 10^-36 esu for complexes 1, 2, 9, and 10, respectively. Thus, we believe that the present investigation may bring the newly designed metal complexes in the limelight of scientific interest for their practical realization in optical and nonlinear optical applications. Graphical abstract Several novel transition metal complexes are designed using tridentate ONO donor type Schiff base ligand as efficient NLO materials.

Extent of Spin Contamination Errors in DFT/Plane-wave Calculation of Surfaces: A Case of Au Atom Aggregation on a MgO Surface

The aggregation of Au atoms onto a Au dimer (Au₂) on a MgO (001) surface was calculated by restricted (spin-un-polarized) and unrestricted (spin-polarized) density functional theory calculations with a plane-wave basis and the approximate spin projection (AP) method. The unrestricted calculations included spin contamination errors of 0.0⁻0.1 eV, and the errors were removed using the AP method. The potential energy curves for the aggregation reaction estimated by the restricted and unrestricted calculations were different owing to the estimation of the open-shell structure by the unrestricted calculations. These results show the importance of the open-shell structure and correction of the spin contamination error for the calculation of small-cluster-aggregations and molecule dimerization on surfaces.