0000000000021808

AUTHOR

Leszek Stobinski

DFT calculations of structures, 13C NMR chemical shifts, and Raman RBM mode of simple models of small-diameter zigzag (4,0) carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes

Linearly conjugated benzene rings (acenes), belt-shaped molecules (cyclic acenes), and models of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with one carboxylic group at the open end were fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. These models were selected to obtain some insight into the nuclear isotropic changes resulting from systematically increasing the basic building units of open-tip-monocarboxylated SWCNTs. In addition, the position of radial breathing mode (RBM), empirically correlated with the SWCNT diameter, was directly related with the radius of model cyclic acene rings. A regular convergence of selected structural, NMR, and Raman parameters with the molecular system size…

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Efficient Modeling of NMR Parameters in Carbon Nanosystems

Rapid growth of nanoscience and nanotechnology requires new and more powerful modeling tools. Efficient theoretical modeling of large molecular systems at the ab initio and Density Functional Theory (DFT) levels of theory depends critically on the size and completeness of the basis set used. The recently designed variants of STO-3G basis set (STO-3Gel, STO-3Gmag), modified to correctly predict electronic and magnetic properties were tested on simple models of pristine and functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) systems and fullerenes using the B3LYP and VSXC density functionals. Predicted geometries, vibrational properties, and HOMO/LUMO gaps of the model systems, calculated with typical 6-31G…

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DFT calculation of structures and NMR chemical shifts of simple models of small diameter zigzag single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)

Linearly conjugated benzene rings (acenes), belt-shape molecules (cyclic acenes) and model single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were fully optimized at the unrestricted level of density functional theory (UB3LYP/6-31G*). The models of SWCNTs were selected to get some insight into the potential changes of NMR chemical shift upon systematic increase of the molecular size. The theoretical NMR chemical shifts were calculated at the B3LYP/pcS-2 level of theory using benzene as reference. In addition, the change of radial breathing mode (RBM), empirically correlated with SWCNT diameter, was directly related with the radius of cyclic acenes. Both geometrical and NMR parameters were extrapolated t…

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DFT study of zigzag (n, 0) single-walled carbon nanotubes: 13C NMR chemical shifts

Abstract 13 C NMR chemical shifts of selected finite-size models of pristine zigzag single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a diameter of ∼0.4–0.8 nm and length up to 2.2 nm were studied theoretically. Results for finite SWCNTs models containing 1, 4 and 10 adjacent bamboo-type units were compared with data obtained for infinite tubes in order to estimate the reliability of small finite models in predicting magnetic properties of real-size nanotubes and to assess their tube-length dependence. SWCNTs were fully optimized using unrestricted density functional theory (DFT-UB3LYP/6-31G*). Cyclacenes, as the shortest models of open-ended zigzag SWCNTs, with systematically varying diameter w…

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3 He NMR: from free gas to its encapsulation in fullerene

The (3)He nuclear magnetic shieldings were calculated for single helium atom, its dimer, simple models of fullerene cages (He@Cn), and single wall carbon nanotubes. The performances of several levels of theory (HF, MP2, DFT-VSXC, CCSD, CCSD(T), and CCSDT) were tested. Two sets of polarization-consistent basis sets were used (pcS-n and aug-pcS-n), and an estimate of (3)He nuclear magnetic shieldings in the complete basis set limit using a two-parameter fit was established. Theoretical (3)He results reproduced accurately previously reported theoretical values for helium gas, dimer, and helium probe inside several fullerene cages. Excellent agreement with experimental values was achieved. (3)H…

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Modeling red coral (Corallium rubrum) and African snail (Helixia aspersa) shell pigments: Raman spectroscopyversusDFT studies

Pigments from red coral (Corallium rubrum) and African snail (Helixia aspersa) shell were studied non-invasively using Raman spectroscopy with 1064-nm laser beam. The two observed bands because of organic pigments confined in biomineralized CaCO3 matrix at about 1500 and 1100 cm−1 were assigned to ν(CC) and ν(C―C), respectively. Both signals originate from polyene(s) of largely unknown structure, containing several conjugated CC bonds. The small peak at 1016 cm−1 in the Raman spectrum of coral pigment was assigned to in-plane ―CH3 rocking or structural deformation of polyene chain because of spatial confinement in the mineral matrix. The organic pigments in red coral and snail shell were pr…

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DFT studies on armchair (5, 5) SWCNT functionalization. Modification of selected structural and spectroscopic parameters upon two-atom molecule attachment

Abstract Density functional theory (DFT) studies on adsorption of several gaseous homo- and hetero-diatomic molecules (AB) including H2, O2, N2, NO and CO on external surface of H-capped pristine armchair (5, 5) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) were conducted. Structures of C70H10 and the corresponding C70H10–AB adducts were fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G* level of theory. Calculated HOMO/LUMO energy gaps (Eg), 13C NMR chemical shifts and IR/Raman parameters were analyzed and critically compared with available experimental data. Significant changes of carbon NMR atom chemical shifts (up to −100 ppm) and shielding anisotropies (up to −180 ppm) at sites of addition were observed. Fu…

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Density functional theory studies of OH-modified open-ended single-wall zigzag carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)

Abstract Functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often formed as result of oxidation and cleaning of raw product grown on metal catalyst. Structure and energy of ideal and OH-modified single-wall nanotubes (SWCNTs) of different length (2.8, 7.0 and 13.5 A) were obtained at the DFT-B3LYP level. From one to nine OH groups were added at the end of the nanotube and a nonadditive dependence of attachment energy on the number of substituents was observed. The energetics of SWCNT end substitution with OH groups was supported by high level MP2 and CCSD(T) determination of reaction energy: R – H + 1 / 2 O 2 → R – OH + Δ E for methane, benzene and anthracene. In addition, a vibrational analysis of…

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On novel magnetic probe for fullerene characterization: Theoretical studies on NMR parameters of free and confined in fullerenes HD and H2 molecules

Chemical characterization and separation of individual fullerenes from a raw reaction mixture need new and efficient tools, including rapid spectroscopic techniques. Recent "molecular surgery" synthesis of endohedral complexes of fullerenes with selected atoms and small molecules has opened a new path for experimental and theoretical studies on structural and spectroscopic properties of these molecular systems. Among them are fullerenes with molecular hydrogen confined within a nanoscale cavity. In this work we report on quantum-chemical prediction of nuclear magnetic shielding (and chemical shift) and indirect spin-spin coupling constant in free HD and H2 molecules, as well as models of co…

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Calculation of Raman parameters of real-size zigzag (n, 0) single-walled carbon nanotubes using finite-size models

Structural and selected Raman features of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCTNs) with diameters from 0.4 to 1.2 nm and total lengths up to 2.15 nm were studied using the density functional theory (DFT) at the UB3LYP/6-31G* level. Models of different lengths (1, 4, 6 and 10 adjacent bamboo-units) of zigzag (n, 0) SWCNTs, for n ranging from 5 to 15, were studied. Highly systematic changes of individual CC bond lengths and angles along the nanotube axis were observed and described for the longest models. Predicted Raman active radial breathing mode (RBM) vibrational frequencies regularly decreased upon increasing the nanotube diameter and only a negligible effect of the tube length w…

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Experimental and theoretical studies on corals. I. Toward understanding the origin of color in precious red corals from Raman and IR spectroscopies and DFT calculations

An attempt to explain the origin of the vivid red color in precious pink and red corals was undertaken. Raman and IR spectroscopies were applied to characterize white, pink and red corals. The position of the Raman signal near 1500 cm −1 of some corals and pearls was associated by several authors with the presence of the mixture of all-trans-polyenic pigments, containing 6 – 16 conjugated C C bonds or β-carotenoids. This hypothesis was examined theoretically by performing extensive B3LYP-DFT calculations of vibrational spectra of the model polyenic compounds. The B3LYP/6-311++G ∗∗ predicted positions of the dominating Raman mode depend on the number of C Cu nits (Cn parameter) and can be ac…

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Spin-orbit ZORA and four-component Dirac-Coulomb estimation of relativistic corrections to isotropic nuclear shieldings and chemical shifts of noble gas dimers

Hartree-Fock and density functional theory with the hybrid B3LYP and general gradient KT2 exchange-correlation functionals were used for nonrelativistic and relativistic nuclear magnetic shielding calculations of helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon dimers and free atoms. Relativistic corrections were calculated with the scalar and spin-orbit zeroth-order regular approximation Hamiltonian in combination with the large Slater-type basis set QZ4P as well as with the four-component Dirac-Coulomb Hamiltonian using Dyall's acv4z basis sets. The relativistic corrections to the nuclear magnetic shieldings and chemical shifts are combined with nonrelativistic coupled cluster singles and doubles …

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Modeling21Ne NMR parameters for carbon nanosystems

The potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique in probing the structure of porous systems including carbon nanostructures filled with inert gases is analysed theoretically using accurate calculations of neon ((21) Ne) nuclear magnetic shieldings. The CBS estimates of (21) Ne NMR parameters were performed for single atom, its dimer and neon interacting with acetylene, ethylene and 1,3-cyclopentadiene. Several levels of theory including restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF), Moller-Plesset perturbation theory to the second order (MP2), density functional theory (DFT) with van Voorhis and Scuseria's t-dependent gradient-corrected correlation functional (VSXC), coupled cluster with single …

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DFT studies of OH-functionalized open-ended zigzag, armchair, and chiral single wall carbon nanotubes

The functionalization of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by attaching various molecules or molecular groups to the exterior walls or tips has attracted much attention, because it offers a possible way to modify their electronic, chemical, optical and mechanical properties. In this contribution the results of DFT studies of pristine and OH-modified open-ended zigzag (9,0), armchair (5,5) and chiral (8,2) nanotubes are reported. The calculations have been performed for partially and fully functionalized at one end model SWCNTs with dangling bonds saturated with hydrogen atoms and a nonadditive dependence of attachment energy on the number of substituents was observed.

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DFT studies of COOH tip-functionalized zigzag and armchair single wall carbon nanotubes

Structure and energy calculations of pristine and COOH-modified model single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of different length were performed at B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. From 1 to 9 COOH groups were added at the end of the nanotube. The differences in structure and energetics of partially and fully functionalized SWCNTs at one end of the nanotube are observed. Up to nine COOH groups could be added at one end of (9,0) zigzag SWCNT in case of full functionalization. However, for (5,5) armchair SWCNT, the full functionalization was impossible due to steric crowding and rim deformation. The dependence of substituent attachment energy on the number of substituents at the carbon nanotube ri…

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Spectroscopic characterization of non-covalent CuPc-GO system. Experiment and theory

Abstract In this study we report on UV-vis, IR and Raman studies of non-covalent copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) – flake graphene oxide (GO) complex in water and in the solid phase. Experimental results were supported by molecular modeling of structure, electronic and vibrational parameters for free CuPc and its 1 : 1 complexes with water, benzene, phenol, neutral and deprotonated benzoic acid. HOMO-LUMO gaps for these complexes were calculated and compared with data derived from the absorption edge of Q-band in the recorded UV-vis spectra for free CuPc and its adduct with GO in water. Small but non-negligible changes in position of spectral bands observed as result of CuPc interaction with GO…

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DFT calculations of structures, 13C NMR chemical shifts and Raman RBM mode of simple models of ultra small diameter (4,0) zigzag hydroxylated single wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract Selected acenes, cyclic acenes and model zigzag (4,0) single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with one hydroxylic group at the open end were fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. The impact of molecule size on the B3LYP/pcS-2 calculated 13 C NMR chemical shifts was studied to characterize pristine and tip-monofunctionalized ultra narrow SWCNTs. The harmonic frequency of Raman radial breathing mode (RBM) was determined for monohydroxylated cyclic acenes and correlated with their diameter. A regular convergence of selected CC bond lengths, RBM frequency and carbon chemical shifts upon increasing the size of the systems was observed and fitted toward very large systems wi…

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OH-functionalized open-ended armchair single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) studied by density functional theory

The structures of ideal armchair (5,5) single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of different lengths (3.7, 8.8, and 16.0 A for C40H20, C80H20, and C140H20) and with 1–10 hydroxyl groups at the end of the nanotube were fully optimized at the B3LYP/3-21G level, and in some cases at the B3LYP/6-31G* level, and the energy associated with the attachment of the OH substituent was determined. The OH-group attachment energy was compared with the OH functionalization of phenanthrene and picene models and with previous results for zigzag (9.0) SWCNT systems. In comparison to zigzag SWCNTs, the armchair form is more (by about 5 to 10 kcal mol−1) reactive toward hydroxylation. Figure The structures of ide…

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Local aromaticity mapping in the vicinity of planar and nonplanar molecules

We report on nucleus-independent magnetic shielding (NICS) scans over the centers of six- and five-membered rings in selected metal phthalocyanines (MPc) and fullerene C60 for more accurate characterization of local aromaticity in these compounds. Detailed tests were conducted on model aromatic molecules including benzene, pyrrole, indole, isoindole, and carbazole and subsequently applied to H2 Pc, ZnPc, Al(OH)Pc, and CuPc. Similar behavior of three selected magnetic probes, Bq, 3 He, and 7 Li+ , approaching perpendicularly the ring centers, was observed. For better visualization of shielding zone over the centers of aromatic rings, we introduced a simple mathematical procedure: the first a…

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From small to medium and beyond: a pragmatic approach in predicting properties of Ne containing structures

In this study, we outlined a pragmatic approach for structural studies leading to better understanding of polycarbon structures using 21Ne as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) probe. 21Ne NMR parameters of a single neon atom and its dimer were predicted at the CCSD(T) level in combination with large basis sets. At a lower level of theory, an interaction of neon atom with 1,3-cyclopentadiene ring and with five- and six-membered rings in carbazole was studied using the restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and density functional theory (DFT) combined with smaller basis sets. The RHF and DFT modelling of neon interaction with nanosized objects were performed on cyclacenes and selected fullerenes.

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