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Cheng T, Bets KV, Yakobson BI. Synthesis Landscapes for Ammonia Borane Chemical Vapor Deposition of h-BN and BNNT: Unraveling Reactions and Intermediates from First-Principles. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:9318-9325. [PMID: 38517068 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Planar hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and tubular BN nanotube (BNNT), known for their superior mechanical and thermal properties, as well as wide electronic band gap, hold great potential for nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices. Chemical vapor deposition has demonstrated the best way to scalable synthesis of high-quality BN nanomaterials. Yet, the atomistic understanding of reactions from precursors to product-material remains elusive, posing challenges for experimental design. Here, performing first-principles calculations and ab initio molecular simulations, we explore pyrolytic decomposition pathways of the most used precursor ammonia borane (H3BNH3, AB) to BN, in gas-phase and on Ni(111) or amorphous boron (for BNNT growth) surfaces, for comparison. It reveals that in the gas phase, a pair of AB molecules cooperate to form intermediate NH3 and ammonia diborane, which further dissociates into H2BNH2, accompanied by critical BH4- and NH4+ ions. These ions act as H scavengers facilitating H2BNH2 dehydrogenation into HBNH. The consequent HBNH directly feeds BN flake growth by reacting with the crystal edge, while the addition of H2BNH2 to the edge is prohibited at 1500 K. In contrast, on Ni and boron surfaces, AB monomer dehydrogenates stepwise, deeper, yielding BNH and BN dimer as the primary building unit. Our study maps out three typical experimental conditions regarding the dissociation of AB-precursor, providing insights into the underlying reaction mechanisms of gas-phase precursors, to help as guidelines for the experimental growth of BN nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Cheng
- Department of Materials Science & NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Ksenia V Bets
- Department of Materials Science & NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
| | - Boris I Yakobson
- Department of Materials Science & NanoEngineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, United States
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2
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Bae D, Lee KH, Kim MJ. Growth methodologies of boron nitride nanotubes and their neutron shielding applications: a review. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:3817-3837. [PMID: 38327235 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr06070e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the growth methodologies and neutron shielding applications of Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs). BNNTs have garnered significant attention because of their unique combination of high thermal stability, mechanical strength, and exceptional neutron absorption properties. Synthesis methods for BNNTs, including laser ablation, thermal plasma treatment, chemical vapour deposition (CVD), and ball milling have been thoroughly examined, highlighting their mechanisms, advantages, and challenges. Each method contributes uniquely to the quality and applicability of BNNTs in terms of scalability and production efficiency. This study focused on the applications of BNNTs in neutron absorption, particularly in aerospace engineering. BNNTs have shown promising potential in enhancing the safety and longevity of space missions by providing effective radiation protection. Furthermore, their potential in medical applications, particularly in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) for cancer treatment, has been explored. BNCT offers a targeted approach to cancer therapy by utilizing the high boron-10 content of BNNTs for precise and localized treatment. This review also provides an outlook on the future of BNNT research, emphasizing the need for more efficient growth methods to facilitate wider adoption and commercialization. The versatility of BNNTs across various fields, from space exploration to medical science, underscores their potential as materials of significant scientific and technological importance. As research progresses, BNNTs are expected to play a pivotal role in advancing materials science and offer innovative solutions to complex challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsu Bae
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Kun-Hong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Jong Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120, Republic of Korea.
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He Q, Ding L, He X, Xiao G, Wang Y, Ding F, Yao Y. Ti-B-O System for Catalyzing Boron Nitride Nanotube Growth. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1921-1929. [PMID: 38345930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) stands out as the most promising method for cost-effective production of high-quality boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). Catalysts play a crucial role in BNNT synthesis. This work delves into the impact of oxygen (O) on Ti-based catalysts during the CVD growth of BNNTs. In contrast to the B/TiB2 nanoparticles (NPs) and B/TiN NPs systems, the oxygen-containing precursor B/TiO2 NPs remarkably catalyzes the growth of high-quality and high-purity BNNTs across a wider range of synthesis parameters. Subsequent analyses reveal that TiBO3 acts as an active catalyst, facilitating BNNT growth in Ti-based catalyst systems. Moreover, the nanocomposite film synthesized from BNNTs and PVDF-HFP exhibits excellent mechanical properties and heat dissipation capabilities. Utilizing the nanocomposite film as a thermal interface material effectively enhances the heat dissipation for a 5 W light-emitting diode (LED) chip. Consequently, our research confirms the effectiveness of the Ti-B-O system in catalyzing BNNT growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian He
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Liping Ding
- School of Electronic Information and Artificial Intelligence, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xian 710000, China
| | - Xuhua He
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Guang Xiao
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ying Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Faculty of Materials Science and Energy Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yagang Yao
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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4
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Kang M, Kim J, Lim H, Ko J, Kim HS, Joo Y, Moon SY, Jang SG, Lee E, Ahn S. Eco-Friendly Dispersant-Free Purification Method of Boron Nitride Nanotubes through Controlling Surface Tension and Steric Repulsion with Solvents. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2593. [PMID: 37764622 PMCID: PMC10537017 DOI: 10.3390/nano13182593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) were purified without the use of a dispersant by controlling the surface tension and steric repulsion of solvent molecules. This method effectively enhanced the difference in solubilities of impurities and BNNTs. The purification process involved optimizing the alkyl-chains of alcohol solvents and adjusting the concentration of alcohol solvent in water to regulate surface tension and steric repulsion. Among the solvents tested, a 70 wt% t-butylalcohol in water mixture exhibited the highest selective isolation of BNNTs from impurities based on differences in solubilities. This favorable outcome was attributed to the surface tension matching with BNNTs, steric repulsion from bulky alkyl chain structures, and differences in interfacial energy between BNNT-liquid and impurity-liquid interfaces. Through this optimized purification process, impurities were removed to an extent of up to 93.3%. Additionally, the purified BNNTs exhibited a distinct liquid crystal phase, which was not observed in the unpurified BNNTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsung Kang
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungmo Kim
- Nano Hybrid Technology Research Center, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), Changwon-si 51543, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongjin Lim
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
| | - Jaehyoung Ko
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
| | - Hong-Sik Kim
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
| | - Yongho Joo
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
| | - Se Youn Moon
- Department of Quantum System Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Gyu Jang
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
| | - Eunji Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhoon Ahn
- Institute of Advanced Composite Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Jeonbuk 55324, Republic of Korea; (M.K.)
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5
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Wang N, Ding L, Li T, Zhang K, Wu L, Zhou Z, He Q, He X, Wang X, Hu Y, Ding F, Zhang J, Yao Y. Self-Catalytic Ternary Compounds for Efficient Synthesis of High-Quality Boron Nitride Nanotubes. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2206933. [PMID: 36631285 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202206933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The large-scale synthesis of high-quality boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) has attracted considerable interests due to their applications in nanocomposites, thermal management, and so on. Despite decades of development, efficient preparation of high-quality BNNTs, which relies on the effective design of precursors and catalysts and deep insights into the catalytic mechanisms, is still urgently needed. Here, a self-catalytic process is designed to grow high-quality BNNTs using ternary W-B-Li compounds. W-B-Li compounds provide boron source and catalyst for BNNTs growth. High-quality BNNTs are successfully obtained via this approach. Density functional theory-based molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) simulations demonstrate that the Li intercalation into the lattice of W2 B5 promotes the formation of W-B-Li liquid and facilitates the compound evaporation for efficient BNNTs growth. This work demonstrates a high-efficient self-catalytic growth of high-quality BNNTs via ternary W-B-Li compounds, providing a new understanding of high-quality BNNTs growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanyang Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liping Ding
- School of Electronic Information and Artificial Intelligence, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Taotao Li
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Liyun Wu
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Zhengyang Zhou
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qian He
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xuhua He
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xuebin Wang
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Key Laboratory of Carbon Materials of Zhejiang Province, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Center for Multidimensional Carbon Materials, Institute for Basic Science, Ulsan, 44919, South Korea
| | - Jin Zhang
- College of Chemical and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Yagang Yao
- National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Corbella C, Portal S, Kundrapu MN, Keidar M. Nanosynthesis by atmospheric arc discharges excited with pulsed-DC power: a review. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:342001. [PMID: 35487195 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac6bad] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plasma technology is actively used for nanoparticle synthesis and modification. All plasma techniques share the ambition of providing high quality, nanostructured materials with full control over their crystalline state and functional properties. Pulsed-DC physical/chemical vapour deposition, high power impulse magnetron sputtering, and pulsed cathodic arc are consolidated low-temperature plasma processes for the synthesis of high-quality nanocomposite films in vacuum environment. However, atmospheric arc discharge stands out thanks to the high throughput, wide variety, and excellent quality of obtained stand-alone nanomaterials, mainly core-shell nanoparticles, transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers, and carbon-based nanostructures, like graphene and carbon nanotubes. Unique capabilities of this arc technique are due to its flexibility and wide range of plasma parameters achievable by modulation of the frequency, duty cycle, and amplitude of pulse waveform. The many possibilities offered by pulsed arc discharges applied on synthesis of low-dimensional materials are reviewed here. Periodical variations in temperature and density of the pulsing arc plasma enable nanosynthesis with a more rational use of the supplied power. Parameters such as plasma composition, consumed power, process stability, material properties, and economical aspects, are discussed. Finally, a brief outlook towards future tendencies of nanomaterial preparation is proposed. Atmospheric pulsed arcs constitute promising, clean processes providing ecological and sustainable development in the production of nanomaterials both in industry and research laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carles Corbella
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, Northwest, Washington, DC 20052, United States of America
| | - Sabine Portal
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, Northwest, Washington, DC 20052, United States of America
| | - Madhusudhan N Kundrapu
- Tech-X Corporation, 5621 Arapahoe Ave. Suite A, Boulder, CO 80303, United States of America
| | - Michael Keidar
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, Northwest, Washington, DC 20052, United States of America
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Martelli F, Palmer JC. Signatures of sluggish dynamics and local structural ordering during ice nucleation. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:114502. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0083638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the microscopic pathway of spontaneous crystallization in the ST2 model of water under deeply supercooled conditions via unbiased classical molecular dynamics simulations. After quenching below the liquid–liquid critical point, the ST2 model spontaneously separates into low-density liquid (LDL) and high-density liquid phases, respectively. The LDL phase, which is characterized by lower molecular mobility and enhanced structural order, fosters the formation of a sub-critical ice nucleus that, after a stabilization time, develops into the critical nucleus and grows. Polymorphic selection coincides with the development of the sub-critical nucleus and favors the formation of cubic (Ic) over hexagonal (Ih) ice. We rationalize polymorphic selection in terms of geometric arguments based on differences in the symmetry of second neighbor shells of ice Ic and Ih, which are posited to favor formation of the former. The rapidly growing critical nucleus absorbs both Ic and Ih crystallites dispersed in the liquid phase, a crystal with stacking faults. Our results are consistent with, and expand upon, recent observations of non-classical nucleation pathways in several systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Martelli
- IBM Research Europe, Hartree Centre, Daresbury WA4 4AD, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy C. Palmer
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204, USA
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Ko HY, Santra B, DiStasio RA. Enabling Large-Scale Condensed-Phase Hybrid Density Functional Theory-Based Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics II: Extensions to the Isobaric-Isoenthalpic and Isobaric-Isothermal Ensembles. J Chem Theory Comput 2021; 17:7789-7813. [PMID: 34775753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c01194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In the previous paper of this series [Ko, H.-Y. et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2020, 16, 3757-3785], we presented a theoretical and algorithmic framework based on a localized representation of the occupied space that exploits the inherent sparsity in the real-space evaluation of the exact exchange (EXX) interaction in finite-gap systems. This was accompanied by a detailed description of exx, a massively parallel hybrid message-passing interface MPI/OpenMP implementation of this approach in Quantum ESPRESSO (QE) that enables linear scaling hybrid density functional theory (DFT)-based ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) in the microcanonical/canonical (NVE/NVT) ensembles of condensed-phase systems containing 500-1000 atoms (in fixed orthorhombic cells) with a wall time cost comparable to semi-local DFT. In this work, we extend the current capabilities of exx to enable hybrid DFT-based AIMD simulations of large-scale condensed-phase systems with general and fluctuating cells in the isobaric-isoenthalpic/isobaric-isothermal (NpH/NpT) ensembles. The theoretical extensions to this approach include an analytical derivation of the EXX contribution to the stress tensor for systems in general simulation cells with a computational complexity that scales linearly with system size. The corresponding algorithmic extensions to exx include optimized routines that (i) handle both static and fluctuating simulation cells with non-orthogonal lattice symmetries, (ii) solve Poisson's equation in general/non-orthogonal cells via an automated selection of the auxiliary grid directions in the Natan-Kronik representation of the discrete Laplacian operator, and (iii) evaluate the EXX contribution to the stress tensor. Using this approach, we perform a case study on a variety of condensed-phase systems (including liquid water, a benzene molecular crystal polymorph, and semi-conducting crystalline silicon) and demonstrate that the EXX contributions to the energy and stress tensor simultaneously converge with an appropriate choice of exx parameters. This is followed by a critical assessment of the computational performance of the extended exx module across several different high-performance computing architectures via case studies on (i) the computational complexity due to lattice symmetry during NpT simulations of three different ice polymorphs (i.e., ice Ih, II, and III) and (ii) the strong/weak parallel scaling during large-scale NpT simulations of liquid water. We demonstrate that the robust and highly scalable implementation of this approach in the extended exx module is capable of evaluating the EXX contribution to the stress tensor with negligible cost (<1%) as well as all other EXX-related quantities needed during NpT simulations of liquid water (with a very tight 150 Ry planewave cutoff) in ≈5.2 s ((H2O)128) and ≈6.8 s ((H2O)256) per AIMD step. As such, the extended exx module presented in this work brings us another step closer to routinely performing hybrid DFT-based AIMD simulations of sufficient duration for large-scale condensed-phase systems across a wide range of thermodynamic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yu Ko
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Biswajit Santra
- Department of Physics, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, United States
| | - Robert A DiStasio
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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Barsukov Y, Dwivedi O, Kaganovich I, Jubin S, Khrabry A, Ethier S. Boron nitride nanotube precursor formation during high-temperature synthesis: kinetic and thermodynamic modelling. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 32:475604. [PMID: 34375961 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac1c20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We performed integrated modelling of the chemical pathways of formation for boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) precursors during high-temperature synthesis in a B/N2mixture. Integrated modelling includes quantum chemistry, Quantum-classical molecular dynamics, thermodynamic modelling, and kinetic approaches. We demonstrate that BN compounds are formed via the interaction of molecular nitrogen with small boron clusters, rather than through interactions with less reactive liquid boron. (This process can also be described as N2molecule fixation.) Liquid boron evaporates to produce these boron clusters (Bmwithm≤ 5), which are subsequently converted into BmNnchains. The production of such chains is crucial to the growth of BNNTs because these chains form the building blocks of bigger and longer BN chains and rings, which are in turn the building blocks of fullborenes and BNNTs. Additionally, kinetic modelling revealed that B4N4and B5N4species in particular play a major role in the N2molecule fixation process. The formation of these species via reactions with B4and B5clusters is not adequately described under the assumption of thermodynamic equilibrium, as is demonstrated in our kinetic modelling. Thus, the accumulation of both B4N4and B5N4depends on the background gas pressure and the gas cooling rate. Long BN chains and rings, which are precursors of the fullborene and BNNT growth, form via self-assembly of components B4N4and B5N4. Our modelling results-particularly the increased densities of B4N4and B5N4species at higher gas pressures-explain the experimentally observed effect of gas pressure on the yield of high-quality BNNTs. The catalytic role of hydrogen was also studied; it is shown that HBNH molecules can be the main precursor of BNNT synthesis in the presence of hydrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Barsukov
- Plasma Physics Department, Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University, Saint-Petersburg, 195251 Russia
| | - Omesh Dwivedi
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08543 United States of America
| | - Igor Kaganovich
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08543 United States of America
| | - Sierra Jubin
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08543 United States of America
| | - Alexander Khrabry
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08543 United States of America
| | - Stephane Ethier
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08543 United States of America
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10
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Abstract
Water determines the properties of biological systems. Therefore, understanding the nature of the mutual interaction between water and biosystems is of primary importance for a proper assessment of any biological activity, e.g., the efficacy of new drugs or vaccines. A convenient way to characterize the interactions between biosystems and water is to analyze their impact on water density and dynamics in the proximity of the interfaces. It is commonly accepted that water bulk density and dynamical properties are recovered at distances of the order of 1 nm away from the surface of biological systems. This notion leads to the definition of hydration or biological water as the nanoscopic layer of water covering the surface of biosystems and to the expectation that all the effects of the water-interface interaction are limited to this thin region. Here, we review some of our latest contributions, showing that phospholipid membranes affect the water dynamics, structural properties, and hydrogen bond network at a distance that is more than twice as large as the commonly evoked ∼1nm thick layer and of the order of 2.4 nm. Furthermore, we unveil that at a shorter distance ∼0.5nm from the membrane, instead, there is an additional interface between lipid-bound and unbound water. Bound water has a structural role in the stability of the membrane. Our results imply that the concept of hydration water should be revised or extended and pave the way to a deeper understanding of the mutual interactions between water and biological systems.
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11
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Yatom S, Raitses Y. Characterization of plasma and gas-phase chemistry during boron-nitride nanomaterial synthesis by laser-ablation of boron-rich targets. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:20837-20850. [PMID: 32914821 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp02890h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In this work, solid targets made from boron and boron nitride (BN) materials are ablated by a nanosecond pulsed laser at sub-atmospheric pressures of nitrogen and helium gases. The excited species in the ablation plume from the target are probed by spatiotemporally resolved optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The evaluation of the chemical composition of the plasma plume revealed that for both boron-rich targets, emission from BN molecules is always observed in nitrogen-rich environments. In addition, BN molecules are also present when ablating a boron nitride target in a helium gas environment, an indication that BN molecules in the plume may originate from the solid target. Furthermore, the ablation of the BN target features emission of B2N molecules, regardless of the pressure and surrounding gas. These results suggest that the ablation of the BN target is more favorable for the generation of complex molecules containing boron and nitrogen species and possibly hint that BN is also more favorable feedstock for high-yield BN nanomaterial synthesis. Plasma parameters such as the electron temperature (peak value of 1.3 eV) and density (peak value of 2 × 1018 cm-3) were also investigated in this work in order to discuss the chemical dynamics in the plume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shurik Yatom
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, NJ, USA.
| | - Yevgeny Raitses
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, NJ, USA.
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12
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Martelli F, Crain J, Franzese G. Network Topology in Water Nanoconfined between Phospholipid Membranes. ACS NANO 2020; 14:8616-8623. [PMID: 32578978 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c02984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Water provides the driving force for the assembly and stability of many cellular components. Despite its impact on biological functions, a nanoscale understanding of the relationship between its structure and dynamics under soft confinement has remained elusive. As expected, water in contact with biological membranes recovers its bulk density and dynamics at ∼1 nm from phospholipid headgroups but surprisingly enhances its intermediate range order (IRO) over a distance, at least, twice as large. Here, we explore how the IRO is related to the water's hydrogen-bond network (HBN) and its coordination defects. We characterize the increased IRO by an alteration of the HBN up to more than eight coordination shells of hydration water. The HBN analysis emphasizes the existence of a bound-unbound water interface at ∼0.8 nm from the membrane. The unbound water has a distribution of defects intermediate between bound and bulk water, but with density and dynamics similar to bulk, while bound water has reduced thermal energy and many more HBN defects than low-temperature water. This observation could be fundamental for developing nanoscale models of biological interactions and for understanding how alteration of the water structure and topology, for example, due to changes in extracellular ions concentration, could affect diseases and signaling. More generally, it gives us a different perspective to study nanoconfined water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Martelli
- Hartree Centre, IBM Research Europe, Daresbury WA4 4AD, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Crain
- Hartree Centre, IBM Research Europe, Daresbury WA4 4AD, United Kingdom
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, United Kingdom
| | - Giancarlo Franzese
- Secció de Física Estadística i Interdisciplinària, Departament de Física de la Matèria Condensada, and Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, C. Martí i Franquès 1, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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13
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Xiong M, Gao Z, Luo K, Ling F, Gao Y, Chen C, Yu D, Zhao Z, Wei S. Three metallic BN polymorphs: 1D multi-threaded conduction in a 3D network. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:489-496. [PMID: 31822871 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp05860e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, three novel metallic sp2/sp3-hybridized boron nitride (BN) polymorphs are proposed by first-principles calculations. One of them, denoted as tP-BN, is predicted based on the evolutionary particle swarm structural search. tP-BN is composed of two interlocked rings forming a tube-like 3D network. The stability and band structure calculations show that tP-BN is metastable and metallic at zero pressure. Calculations for the density of states and electron orbitals confirm that the metallicity originates from the sp2-hybridized B and N atoms, forming 1D linear conductive channels in the 3D network. According to the relationship between the atomic structure and electronic properties, another two 3D metastable metallic sp2/sp3-hybridized BN structures are constructed manually. Electronic property calculations show that both of these structures have 1D conductive channels along different axes. The polymorphs predicted in this study enrich the structures and provide a different picture of the conductive mechanism of BN compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Xiong
- National Joint Engineering Research Center for Abrasion Control and Molding of Metal Materials, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
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14
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Kim JH, Cho H, Pham TV, Hwang JH, Ahn S, Jang SG, Lee H, Park C, Kim CS, Kim MJ. Dual growth mode of boron nitride nanotubes in high temperature pressure laser ablation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15674. [PMID: 31666654 PMCID: PMC6821736 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The morphological analysis of the end of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) can provide valuable insight into the growth mechanism in high temperature pressure (HTP) laser ablation where the best quality of BNNT materials can be obtained so far. Two growth modes of BNNT coexisting during the synthesis process have been proposed based on HR-TEM observation and length analysis. One is the root growth mode, in which boron nitride (BN) species formed via the surface interaction between surrounding N2 molecules and boron nanodroplets incorporate into the tubular structure. Another mode called open-end growth mode means the prolongation of tube growth from the exposed BN edge surrounding the surface of boron nanodroplets which is constructed by the heterogeneous nucleation of absorbed BN radicals from the gas plume. The statistical data, the proportions of end structures and the length of BNNTs, could be fitted to two growth modes, and the open-end growth mode is found to be especially effective in producing longer nanotubes with a higher growth rate. The scientific understanding of the growth mechanism is believed to provide the control for optimized production of BNNTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hee Kim
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjin Cho
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
- Security and Disruptive Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Thang Viet Pham
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
- Division of Nano & Information Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hun Hwang
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
- Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Seokhoon Ahn
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Gyu Jang
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
| | - Hunsu Lee
- Composite Materials Applications Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea
| | - Cheol Park
- Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, 23681, USA
| | - Cheol Sang Kim
- Department of Bionanosystem Engineering, Graduate School, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, 54896, Republic of Korea.
| | - Myung Jong Kim
- Functional Composite Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Wanju, 55324, Republic of Korea.
- Division of Nano & Information Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Martelli F. Unravelling the contribution of local structures to the anomalies of water: The synergistic action of several factors. J Chem Phys 2019; 150:094506. [PMID: 30849899 DOI: 10.1063/1.5087471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the microscopic origin of water's anomalies by inspecting the hydrogen bond network (HBN) and the spatial organization of low-density-liquid (LDL) like and high-density-liquid (HDL) like environments. Specifically, we simulate-via classical molecular dynamics simulations-the isobaric cooling of a sample composed of 512 water molecules from ambient to deeply undercooled conditions at three pressures, namely, 1 bar, 400 bars, and 1000 bars. In correspondence with the Widom line (WL), (i) the HDL-like dominating cluster undergoes fragmentation caused by the percolation of LDL-like aggregates following a spinodal-like kinetics; (ii) such fragmentation always occurs at a "critical" concentration of ∼20%-30% in LDL; (iii) the HBN within LDL-like environments is characterized by an equal number of pentagonal and hexagonal rings that create a state of maximal frustration between a configuration that promotes crystallization (hexagonal ring) and a configuration that hinders it (pentagonal ring); (iv) the spatial organization of HDL-like environments shows a marked variation. Moreover, the inspection of the global symmetry shows that the intermediate-range order decreases in correspondence with the WL and such a decrease becomes more pronounced upon increasing the pressure, hence supporting the hypothesis of a liquid-liquid critical point. Our results reveal and rationalize the complex microscopic origin of water's anomalies as the cooperative effect of several factors acting synergistically. Beyond implications for water, our findings may be extended to other materials displaying anomalous behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Martelli
- IBM Research, Hartree Centre, Daresbury WA4 4AD, United Kingdom
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16
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Khrabry A, Kaganovich ID, Yatom S, Vekselman V, Radić-Perić J, Rodman J, Raitses Y. Determining the gas composition for the growth of BNNTs using a thermodynamic approach. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:13268-13286. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp01342c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
B2N molecules are determined to be major nitrogen-containing gas phase precursors for the growth of BNNTs on boron droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Shurik Yatom
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
- Princeton University
- USA
| | | | | | - John Rodman
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
- Princeton University
- USA
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