Hybrid materials with an increased resistance to hard X-rays using fullerenes as radical sponges

Heterocyclic Donor Moiety Effect on Optical Nonlinearity Behavior of Chrysene-Based Chromophores with Push-Pull Configuration via the Quantum Chemical Approach

Organic-based nonlinear optical (NLO) materials may be used in many optical-electronic systems and other next-generation defense technologies. With the importance of NLO materials, a series of push-pull architecture (D-π-A) derivatives (DTMD2-DTMD6) were devised from DTMR1 through structural alteration of different efficient donor heterocyclic groups. Density functional theory-based computations were executed at the MPW1PW91/6-31G(d,p) level to explore the NLO behavior of the derivatives. To investigate the optoelectronic behavior of the said compounds, various analyses like the frontier molecular orbital (FMO), global reactivity parameters, density of state (DOS), absorption spectra (UV-vis), natural bond orbital, and transition density matrix (TDM) were performed. The derivatives have a smaller band gap (2.156-1.492 eV) and a larger bathochromic shift (λmax = 692.838-969.605 nm) as compared to the reference chromophore (ΔE = 2.306 eV and λmax = 677.949 nm). FMO analysis revealed substantial charge conduction out of the donor toward the acceptor via a spacer that was also shown by TDM and DOS analyses. All derivatives showed promising NLO results, with the maximum amplitude of linear polarizability ⟨α⟩ and first (βtotal) and second (γtotal) hyperpolarizabilities over their reference chromophore. DTMD2 contained the highest βtotal (7.220 × 10-27 esu) and γtotal (1.720 × 10-31 esu) values corresponding with the reduced band gap (1.492 eV), representing potential futures for a large NLO amplitude. This structural modification through the use of various donors has played a significant part in achieving promising NLO behavior in the modified compounds.

Exploration of linear and third-order nonlinear optical properties for donor-π-linker-acceptor chromophores derived from ATT-2 based non-fullerene molecule

In the current study, seven non-fullerene compounds abbreviated as ATTD2-ATTD8 were designed through structural tailoring and their nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were reported. The objective of this study was to explore the potential for newly configured D-π-A type non-fullerene-based compounds. Quantum chemical methods were adopted and revealed the molecules as highly efficient materials with favorable NLO characteristics for use in optoelectronic devices. The M06 functional along with the 6-311G(d,p) basis set in chloroform solvent were utilized for the natural bonding orbital (NBO) analysis, absorption spectra and computational assessments of frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), global reactivity descriptors (GRPs), transition density matrix (TDM) and nonlinear optical properties (NLO) for ATTR1 and ATTD2-ATTD8. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap was significantly reduced in all the designed moieties compared to the reference compound in the following decreasing order: ATTR1 > ATTD8 > ATTD4 > ATTD5 > ATTD2 > ATTD7 > ATTD6 > ATTD3. All of the designed molecules (ATTD2-ATTD8) showed good NLO response. Global reactivity parameters were found to be closely associated with the band gap between the HOMO and LUMO orbitals, and the compound with the smallest energy gap, ATTD3, exhibited a lower hardness value of 1.754 eV and higher softness value of 0.570 eV with outstanding NLO response. For the reference compound and ATTD2-ATTD8 derivatives, attributes like dipole moment (μtot), average polarizability 〈α〉, first hyperpolarizability (βtot), and second hyperpolarizability γtot were calculated. Out of all the derivatives, ATTD3 revealed the highest amplitude with a βtot of 8.23 × 10-27 esu, which was consistent with the reduced band gap (1.754 eV) and suggested it was the best possibility for NLO materials in the future.

Exploration of Nonlinear Optical Properties for the First Theoretical Framework of Non-Fullerene DTS(FBTTh2)2-Based Derivatives

Organic compounds having significant nonlinear optical (NLO) applications are being employed in the optoelectronics field. In the current work, a series of non-fullerene acceptor (NFA) based compounds are designed by modifying the acceptors with different substituents using DTS(FBTTh ₂ ) ₂ R1 as a reference compound. To study the NLO responses to the tuning of various acceptors, DFT and TD-DFT based parameters were calculated at the M06 level along with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The designed compounds (MSTD2-MSTD7) showed smaller values of the energy gap in comparison to the reference compound. The energy gaps of the title compounds were linked to global reactivity insights; MSTD7 provided a lower band gap, with smaller and larger quantities for hardness and softness characteristics, respectively. Further, UV-vis analyses were performed for all of the designed compounds, displaying wavelengths red-shifted from that of DTS(FBTTh ₂ ) ₂ R1 _. The intraelectron transfer (ICT) process and stability of the title compounds were explored via frontier molecular orbital (FMO) and natural bond orbital (NBO) studies, respectively. Out of all the designed compounds, the highest value of linear polarizability ⟨α⟩ of 3.485 × 10^-22 esu, first hyperpolarizability (β_total) of 13.44 × 10^-27 esu and second-order hyperpolarizability ⟨γ⟩ of 3.66 × 10^-31 esu were exhibited by MSTD7. In short, all of the designed compounds exhibited promising NLO properties because of their low charge transport resistance. These NLO properties may be useful for experimental researchers to uncover NLO materials for modern applications.

Carbon-based antiviral nanomaterials: graphene, C-dots, and fullerenes. A perspective

The appearance of new and lethal viruses and their potential threat urgently requires innovative antiviral systems. In addition to the most common and proven pharmacological methods, nanomaterials can represent alternative resources to fight viruses at different stages of infection, by selective action or in a broad spectrum. A fundamental requirement is non-toxicity. However, biocompatible nanomaterials have very often little or no antiviral activity, preventing their practical use. Carbon-based nanomaterials have displayed encouraging results and can present the required mix of biocompatibility and antiviral properties. In the present review, the main candidates for future carbon nanometric antiviral systems, namely graphene, carbon dots and fullerenes, have been critically analysed. In general, different carbon nanostructures allow several strategies to be applied. Some of the materials have peculiar antiviral properties, such as singlet oxygen emission, or the capacity to interfere with virus enzymes. In other cases, nanomaterials have been used as a platform for functional molecules able to capture and inhibit viral activity. The use of carbon-based biocompatible nanomaterials as antivirals is still an almost unexplored field, while the published results show promising prospects.

Fulleropyrrolidine-functionalized ceria nanoparticles as a tethered dual nanosystem with improved antioxidant properties

Dual-tethered nanosystems which combine different properties at the nano scale represent a new fascinating frontier of research. In the present work, we present an example of a dual nanosystem designed to enhance the radical scavenging performances. Fulleropyrrolidine has been bonded to cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) to form a dual tethered system. Fulleropyrrolidine, bearing a silyl-alkoxide group, has been chemically bonded to the nanoceria surface, providing unprecedented antioxidant activity. This effect has been evaluated using an L929 mouse fibroblast cell line exposed to UV light. The fulleropyrrolidine molecules tethered to nanoceria enhance the radical scavenging properties of the oxide. At the same time, fulleropyrrolidine mitigates the potential toxicity of nanoceria at high doses. On the other hand, cerium oxide nanoparticles provide a strong hydrophilicity to the dual nanosystem, ensuring the administration in a cellular environment and preventing macroscopic aggregation of fulleropyrrolidine. The rational assembly of two different components in one nanosystem appears as a promising route for the development of "smarter" medical and cosmetic devices.

Hard X-rays for processing hybrid organic-inorganic thick films

Hard X-rays, deriving from a synchrotron light source, have been used as an effective tool for processing hybrid organic-inorganic films and thick coatings up to several micrometres. These coatings could be directly modified, in terms of composition and properties, by controlled exposure to X-rays. The physico-chemical properties of the coatings, such as hardness, refractive index and fluorescence, can be properly tuned using the interaction of hard X-rays with the sol-gel hybrid films. The changes in the microstructure have been correlated especially with the modification of the optical and the mechanical properties. A relationship between the degradation rate of the organic groups and the rise of fluorescence from the hybrid material has been observed; nanoindentation analysis of the coatings as a function of the X-ray doses has shown a not linear dependence between thickness and film hardness.