Gd3+ Encapsulation on 2D-g-C3N4 Nanostructure for Spintronics and Ultrasound Assisted Photocatalytic Applications: First-Principles and Experimental Studies.

Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have high potential in optoelectronics and magneto-optics appliances due to their tunable band structures and physicochemical stability. The work demonstrates that Gd3+ incorporated 2D-g-C3N4 nanosheet (Gd3+/2D-g-C3N4 NS) is synthesized through chemisorption methodology for defect enrichment. The material characterizations reveal that the ion decoration enhances the surface area and defect concentration of the 2D sheet. The experimental observations have been further corroborated with the help of density functional theory (DFT) simulation. Spin asymmetry polarizations near the Fermi level, obtained through the partial density of states (PDOS) analyses, reveal the magnetic nature of the synthesized material, validating the room temperature ferromagnetism obtained through a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM). Gd3+/2D-g-C3N4 NS shows significant enhancement in saturation magnetization (Ms) experimentally and computationally compared to the pristine one. The magnetic catalyst shows 98% remediation efficiency for ultrasound-assisted visible-light-driven photodegradation of methyl orange (MO). The synergistic approach of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analyses and DFT studies elucidates reaction intermediates and unveils the degradation mechanism. Post-characterization studies assure the stability of the magnetic catalyst through optical, chemical, magnetic, and microscopic analyses. So, the synthesized material can be proficiently used as a magnetic nanocatalyst in wastewater treatments and spin-electronics applications.

Density functional theory-based analyses on selective gas separation by ß-PVDF-supported ionic liquid membranes.

Finding proper candidates for polymer-supported ionic liquid (IL)-based gas separating membranes is a challenge. The current article elucidates the quantum chemical perspective of the selective gas adsorption efficiency, from a mixture of CO2, CO, CH4, and H2, of α- and ß-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-supported imidazolium- and pyridinium-based six ionic liquid membranes. Although IL-based membrane efficiency mainly depends on the gas solubility of ILs, IL/support binding and gas adsorption on the support material are also studied to describe the overall gas adsorption properties of the PVDF/IL complexes. ß-PVDF exhibits better binding with the ILs, and better gas affinity, thus, qualified as a more suitable membrane component as compared to α-PVDF. Dispersion-corrected density functional calculations are performed to provide a detailed insight into the energetic interactions, nonbonding intermolecular interactions based on symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT), natural bond orbitals (NBO), Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), reduced density gradient (RDG), frontier orbital interactions, density of states (DOS), and thermochemical analyses of the gas-adsorbed systems. Gas molecules interact with the membrane components through weak hydrogen bonds and exhibit low interaction energies, indicating physisorption of the gases. Gas adsorption energies are more negative than the mutual interaction energies of the gas molecules, ensuring effective gas adsorption by the membrane components. All the ß-PVDF/IL systems have shown the highest and lowest affinity for CO2 and H2, respectively, leading to effective separation of CO2 and H2 from the other gases.

Density functional theory based studies on the adsorption of rare-earth ions from hydrated nitrate salt solutions on g-C3N4 monolayer surface.

This article represents density functional theory (DFT) based comparative analysis on six trivalent rare-earth ions (RE3+; RE: Y, La, Ce, Sm, Eu and Gd) absorption, from the respective nitrate-hexahydrate salts, on graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) 2D monolayer, and the photocatalytic properties of the RE3+ adsorbed g-C3N4 systems (g-C3N4/RE3+) based on the ground-state electronic structure calculations. Structure, stability and coordination chemistry of two configurations of each hydrated RE-salt system are discussed in detail. Both DFT (B3LYP/SDD) and semi-empirical (Sparkle/PM7) calculations identify the central N6 vacancy of pristine g-C3N4 as the most suitable site for RE3+ adsorption. Bader's QTAIM, Mayer bond order and charge population analyses (ADCH, CHELPG and DDEC) are performed to describe the bond characteristics within the systems under study. Thermochemical calculations suggest that the adsorption process is thermodynamically more feasible for higher atomic number (Z) RE3+ [Sm3+, Eu3+ and Gd3+], compared to lower-Z RE3+ [Y3+, La3+ and Ce3+] ions. Besides, the better photocatalytic properties of higher-Z RE3+ adsorbed g-C3N4 systems are revealed from better HOMO-LUMO delocalization, decreased HOMO-LUMO gap, increased softness, higher electrophilicity and electron transfer parameter, compared to pristine or lower-Z RE3+ adsorbed g-C3N4 systems, as obtained from Hirshfeld orbital compositions, density of states and condensed Fukui function analyses.

Nonbonding interaction analyses on PVDF/[BMIM][BF4] complex system in gas and solution phase.

The present study provides a detailed quantum chemical description of the physicochemical interactions between poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoro borate ([BMIM][BF4]) ionic liquid (IL). Geometry optimization and frequency calculations are carried out for four monomer units of α- and ß-PVDF, [BMIM][BF4], and PVDF/[BMIM][BF4] using dispersion corrected density functional theory. The effects of solvation on the systems under study are demonstrated for three polar aprotic solvents, namely tetra-hydrofuran (THF), acetone, and n,n-dimethyl formamide (DMF) using the integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model (IEFPCM). Calculated negative solvation free energy values suggest solution phase stability of the systems under study. Binding and interaction energies for ß-PVDF/IL are found higher in magnitude than those for α-PVDF/IL. The nonbonding interaction phenomenon of ß-PVDF/[BMIM][BF4] is elucidated on the basis of natural bond orbital (NBO), Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), delocalization indices, Hirshfeld surface, and reduced density gradient (RDG) analyses. Both anions and cations of ionic liquids are found to show weak van der Waals interaction with PVDF molecule but the anion ([BF4]-)/PVDF interaction is found to be stronger than cation ([BMIM]+)/PVDF interaction. Inter-unit C-H⋯F type hydrogen bonds are found to show improper (causing blue shifts in vibrational frequencies) nature. Frontier molecular orbital analysis is carried out, and different chemical parameters like electronegativity, chemical potential, chemical hardness and softness, and electrophilicity index are calculated using Koopmans' theorem. Thermochemical calculations are also performed, and the variation in different standard thermodynamic parameters with temperature is formulated. Graphical abstract (a) Hirshfeld surface mapped onto electron density and (b) NCI isosurfaces showing inter-unit interactions of ß-PVDF/[BMIM][BF4].