A computational design of X24Y24 (X = B, Al, and Y = N, P) nanoclusters as effective drug carriers for metformin anticancer drug: A DFT insight

Electric field-induced modulation of VX nerve agent binding on h-BN nanotubes: a computational perspective

CONTEXT

The interaction of toxic nerve agent VX with BN nanotube and nanocage is investigated in the presence of static electric field along perpendicular direction utilizing density functional theory (DFT). Accordingly, a static electric field (SEF) of strength 0.010 a.u and 0.020 a.u is passed along + Y and - Y axis and the effect on adsorption is analyzed. Upon interaction with VX, it was observed that the application of SEF in the + Y direction led to an increase interaction distance, whereas -Y SEF resulted in a decreased interaction distance between the nanotube and target gas. Among the observed complexations + Y SEF enhanced the sensing property of the nanotube by decreasing its Eads and increasing its electronic responses. Moreover, the study also confirms that BN nanotube in + Y SEF has a short recovery time of 0.37 s in average and hence can perform as an effective sensor for the detection of VX.

METHODS

The optimizations of the structures are performed out using B3LYP-D3 functional in conjunction with 6-31 +  + G(d,p) standard basis set. With the help of QTAIM analysis, parameters namely Laplacian (∇ 2 ρ ( r ) ), energy density value (H(r)), bond energy (EBE), and electron density ρ(r) are obtained. All the optimizations are carried out using the Gaussian 09 and visualized using gauss view and multiwfn software packages.

Transition Metal-Decorated Mg12O12 Nanoclusters as Biosensors and Efficient Drug Carriers for the Metformin Anticancer Drug

Drug carriers have been designed and investigated remarkably due to their effective use in the modern medication process. In this study, the decoration of the Mg₁₂O₁₂ nanocluster has been done with transition metals (Ni and Zn) for effective adsorption of metformin (anticancer drug). Decoration of Ni and Zn on a nanocluster allows two geometries, and similarly, the adsorption of metformin also provides two geometries. Density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory have been employed at the B3LYP with 6-311G(d,p) level. The decoration of Ni and Zn offers good attachment and detachment of the drug, which is observed from their good adsorption energy values. Further, the reduction in the energy band gap is noted in the metformin-adsorbed nanocluster, which allows high charge transfer from a lower energy level to a high energy level. The drug carrier systems show an efficient working mechanism in a water solvent with the visible-light absorption range. Natural bonding orbital and dipole moment values suggested that the adsorption of the metformin causes charge separation in these systems. Moreover, low values of chemical softness with a high electrophilic index recommended that these systems are naturally stable with the least reactivity. Thus, we offer novel kinds of Ni- and Zn-decorated Mg₁₂O₁₂ nanoclusters as efficient carriers for metformin and also recommend them to experimentalists for the future development of drug carriers.