Investigation on the Mechanism of PAL (100) Surface Modified by APTES.

The interfacial mechanism has always been a concern for 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)-grafted palygorskite (PAL). In this research, the mechanism of graft modification for grafting of APTES to the surface of PAL (100) was studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The results illustrated that different grafting states of the APTES influence the inter- and intramolecular interactions between APTES/PAL (100), which are reflected in the electronic structures. For single-, double-, and three-toothed state APTES-PAL (100), the charge transfer rates from the PAL (100) surface to APTES were 0.68, 1.02, and 0.77 e, respectively. The binding energy results show that PAL (100) modification performance in the double-tooth state is the best compared to the other states, with the lowest value of -181.91 kJ/mol. The double-toothed state has lower barrier energy (94.69, 63.11, and 153.67 kJ/mol) during the modification process. This study offers theoretical insights into the chemical modification of the PAL (100) surface using APTES coupling agents, and can provide a guide for practical applications.

Theoretical views on activation of methane catalyzed by Hf2+ and oxidation of CO (x(1)Σ(+)) by N2O (x(1)Σ(+)) Catalyzed by HfO2+ and TaO2+.

The mechanisms of activation of CH4 catalyzed by (1/3)Hf(2+) and oxidation of CO by N2O catalyzed by (1/3)HfO(2+) or (2/4)TaO(2+) have been investigated using the B3LYP level of theory. For the activation of methane, the TSR (two-state reactivity) mechanism has been certified through the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) calculation and the Landau-Zener-type model. In the vicinity of the minimum energy crossing point (MECP), SOC equals 900.23 cm(-1) and the probability of intersystem crossing is approximately 0.62. Spin inversion makes the activation barrier decline from 1.63 to 0.57 eV. NBO analysis demonstrates that empty 6s and 5d orbitals of the Hf atom play the major role for the activation of C-H bonds. Finally, CH4 dehydrogenates to produce Hf-CH2(2+). For oxidation of CO by N2O catalyzed by HfO(2+) or TaO(2+), the covalent bonds between transition metal atoms and the oxygen atom restrict the freedom of valence electrons. Therefore, they are all SSR (single-state reactivity). The oxygen atom is directly extracted during the course of oxygen transfer, and its microscopic essence has been discussed. The detailed kinetic information of two catalytic cycles has been calculated by referencing the "energetic span (δE)" model. Finally, TOF(HfO(2+))/TOF(TaO(2+)) = 2.7 at 298.15 K, which has a good consistency with the experimental result.

Theoretical investigation for the cycle reaction of N2O (x1∑+) with CO (1∑+) catalyzed by IrO(n)+ (n = 1, 2) and utilizing the energy span model to study its kinetic information.

The mechanisms of the reactions between N(2)O and CO catalyzed by IrO(n)(+) (n = 1, 2) have been investigated using B3LYP and CCSD(T) levels of theory. Spin inversion among three reaction profiles corresponding to the quintet, triplet, and singlet multiplicities was discussed by using spin-orbit coupling (SOC) calculations. The probability of electron hopping in the vicinity of the (MECP) has been calculated by the Landau-Zener-type model. The single P(1)(ISC) and double P(2)(ISC) passes estimated at MECP1(#) (SOC = 198.61 cm(-1)) are approximately 0.11 and 0.20, respectively. Important analysis and explanations were done using molecular orbital theory and natural bonding orbital (NBO). The energetic span (δE) model coined by Kozuch was applied in this cycle. The turnover frequency (TOF)-determining transition state (TDTS) and TDI (TOF-determining intermediate) were confirmed. Finally, TOF(IrO(+))/TOF(IrO(2)(+)) = 0.38 at 298 K.