The capability of the pristine and (Sc, Ti) doped Be12O12 nanocluster to detect and adsorb of Mercaptopyridine molecule: A first principle study

Assessment of the potential and application of Be12O12 nanocage for removal of ciprofloxacin from water employing density functional theory

The modern world is facing the issue of emerging pollutants for its sustainable development. We report a detailed study on the abatement of ciprofloxacin (CIP) by Be12O12 nanocage. Five different geometries of Be12O12 nanocage with CIP i.e., Com-A, Com-B, Com-C, Com-D and Com-E are optimized. All the complexes show chemisorption with the highest adsorption energies (Eads) of - 39.86 kcal/mol for Com-E followed by Com-A, Com-B, Com-C and Com-D without any structural change. The O and F atoms of ciprofloxacin (CIP) interacts strongly with the Be atoms of the nanocage respectively. Charge transfer from the nanocage to CIP reveals strong interaction in all the optimized complexes, with maximum charge transfer of -0.199 e for Com-E with the smallest bond lengths of 1.52 Å and 1.63 Å. The decrease in the bandgap of the optimized geometries witnesses increase in the sensing ability of the adsorbent and demonstrates strong interaction between the adsorbent and adsorbate supporting the adsorption energies. The positive values of Hb and ∇2ρb for all complexes reveals strong interaction of electrostatic nature between CIP and Be12O12 nature which is supported by different tools of DFT. The overall study suggests Be12O12 an efficient, reusable adsorbent for the purification of water from CIP and therefore Be12O12 can be used effectively to eliminate antibiotics from water.

A DFT investigation on the potential of beryllium oxide (Be12O12) as a nanocarrier for nucleobases

The study of the interactions between biomolecules and nanostructures is quite fascinating. Herein, the adsorption propensity of beryllium oxide (Be12O12) nanocarrier toward nucleobases (NBs) was investigated. In terms of DFT calculations, the adsorption tendency of Be12O12 toward NBs, including cytosine (NB-C), guanine (NB-G), adenine (NB-A), thymine (NB-T), and uracil (NB-U), was unveiled through various configurations. Geometrical, electronic, and energetic features for Be12O12, NBs, and their associated complexes were thoroughly evaluated at M06-2X/6-311+G** level of theory. The potent adsorption process within NBs∙∙∙Be12O12 complexes was noticed through favorable interaction (Eint) and adsorption (Eads) energies with values up to -53.04 and -38.30 kcal/mol, respectively. Generally, a significant adsorption process was observed for all studied complexes, and the favorability followed the order: NB-C∙∙∙ > NB-G∙∙∙ > NB-A∙∙∙ > NB-T∙∙∙ > NB-U∙∙∙Be12O12 complexes. Out of all studied complexes, the most potent adsorption was found for NB-C∙∙∙Be12O12 complex within configuration A (Eint = -53.04 kcal/mol). In terms of energy decomposition, SAPT analysis revealed electrostatic (Eelst) forces to be dominant within the studied adsorption process with values up to -99.88 kcal/mol. Analyzing QTAIM and NCI, attractive intermolecular interactions within the studied complexes were affirmed. From negative values of thermodynamic parameters, the nature of the considered adsorption process was revealed to be spontaneous and exothermic. Regarding density of state, IR, and Raman analyses, the occurrence of the adsorption process within NBs∙∙∙Be12O12 complexes was confirmed. Noticeable short recovery time values were observed for all studied complexes, confirming the occurrence of the desorption process. The findings provided fundamental insights into the potential application of Be12O12 nanocarrier in drug and gene delivery processes.

A Comparative DFT Investigation of the Adsorption of Temozolomide Anticancer Drug over Beryllium Oxide and Boron Nitride Nanocarriers

Herein, attempts were made to explore the adsorption prospective of beryllium oxide (Be12O12) and boron nitride (B12N12) nanocarriers toward the temozolomide (TMZ) anticancer drug. A systematic investigation of the TMZ adsorption over nanocarriers was performed by using quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT). The favorability of Be12O12 and B12N12 nanocarriers toward loading TMZ was investigated through A↔D configurations. Substantial energetic features of the proposed configurations were confirmed by negative adsorption (E ads) energy values of up to -30.47 and -26.94 kcal/mol for TMZ•••Be12O12 and •••B12N12 complexes within configuration A, respectively. As per SAPT results, the dominant contribution beyond the studied adsorptions was found for the electrostatic forces (E elst = -100.21 and -63.60 kcal/mol for TMZ•••B12N12 and •••Be12O12 complexes within configuration A, respectively). As a result of TMZ adsorption, changes in the energy of molecular orbitals followed by alterations in global reactivity descriptors were observed. Various intermolecular interactions within the studied complexes were assessed by QTAIM analysis. Notably, a favorable adsorption process was also observed under the effect of water with adsorption energy ( reaching -28.05 and -22.26 kcal/mol for TMZ•••B12N12 and •••Be12O12 complexes within configuration A, respectively. The drug adsorption efficiency of the studied nanocarriers was further examined by analyzing the IR and Raman spectra. From a sustained drug delivery point of view, the release pattern of TMZ from the nanocarrier surface was investigated by recovery time calculations. Additionally, the significant role of doping by heavy atoms (i.e., MgBe11O12 and AlB11N12) on the favorability of TMZ adsorption was investigated and compared to pure analogs (i.e., Be12O12 and B12N12). The obtained data from thermodynamic calculations highlighted that the adsorption process over pure and doped nanocarriers was spontaneous and exothermic. The emerging findings provide a theoretical base for future works related to nanocarrier applications in the drug delivery process, especially for the TMZ anticancer drug.

Utility of structural engineering on the monitoring of acrolein by aluminum nitride nano tube

CONTEXT

The study delves into the adsorption process of acrolein (AC) onto both an untainted and a titanium-doped aluminum nitride nanotube (AlNNT) using computations based on density functional theory. As AC approaches the pure AlNNT, it exhibits a calculated adsorption energy (Ead) of -5.3 kcal/mol, underscoring the feeble nature of the adsorption. Furthermore, there has been very little change to the AlNNT's natural electrical characteristics. On the contrary, the introduction of titanium (Ti) enhances the performance of AlNNT, rendering it more susceptible and reactive to AC signals. Analyzing the conventional Gibbs free energy of formation computationally, we ascertain that replacing a nitrogen (N) atom with a titanium (Ti) atom within the aluminum nitride nanotube (AlNNT) structure presents a more advantageous prospect. Notably, there is a substantial alteration in the energy of adsorption (Ead) for AC as a Ti atom is incorporated onto the AlNNT surface, resulting in a shift from -5.3 to -24.6 kcal/mol.

METHODS

Energy calculations and geometric optimizations were conducted utilizing the dispersion-augmented B3LYP method, known as B3LYP-D. In this approach, Grimme's dispersion term, referred to as the "D" term, was employed to account for dispersion forces. The basis set adopted was 6-31 +  + G** (d), and all computational procedures were executed using the GAMESS software program. Following the incorporation of titanium (Ti), this adjustment leads to a substantial enhancement in sensing capability, reaching a value of 93.7. This indicates an improved electrical conductivity of the aluminum nitride nanotube (AlNNT). Remarkably, the Ti-doped AlNNT demonstrates the ability to detect AC distinctly, even in the presence of HCN, formaldehyde, ethanol, toluene, and acetone. The swift recovery process becomes evident as AC desorbs from the surface of Ti-doped AlNNT, with a calculated recovery time of 14.0 s.

M-Encapsulated Be12O12 Nano-Cage (M = K, Mn, or Cu) for CH2O Sensing Applications: A Theoretical Study

DFT and TD-DFT studies of B3LYP/6-31 g(d,p) with the D2 version of Grimme's dispersion are used to examine the adsorption of a CH2O molecule on Be12O12 and MBe12O12 nano-cages (M = K, Mn, or Cu atom). The energy gap for Be12O12 was 8.210 eV, while the M encapsulation decreased its value to 0.685-1.568 eV, whereas the adsorption of the CH2O gas decreased the Eg values for Be12O12 and CuBe12O12 to 4.983 and 0.876 eV and increased its values for KBe12O12 and MnBe12O12 to 1.286 and 1.516 eV, respectively. The M encapsulation enhanced the chemical adsorption of CH2O gas with the surface of Be12O12. The UV-vis spectrum of the Be12O12 nano-cage was dramatically affected by the M encapsulation as well as the adsorption of the CH2O gas. In addition, the adsorption energies and the electrical sensitivity of the Be12O12 as well as the MBe12O12 nano-cages to CH2O gas could be manipulated with an external electric field. Our results may be fruitful for utilizing Be12O12 as well as MBe12O12 nano-cages as candidate materials for removing and sensing formaldehyde gas.

Elucidating the adsorption of 2-Mercaptopyridine drug on the aluminum phosphide (Al12P12) nanocage: A DFT study

Adsorption amplitude of the aluminum phosphide (Al12P12) nanocage toward the 2-Mercaptopyridine (MCP) drug was herein monitored based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The adsorption process through MCP⋅⋅⋅Al12P12 complex in various configurations was elucidated by means of adsorption (Eads) energies. According to the energetic affirmations, the Al12P12 nanocage demonstrated potential versatility toward adsorbing the MCP drug within the investigated configurations and exhibited significant negative adsorption energies up to -27.71 kcal/mol. Upon the results of SAPT analysis, the electrostatic forces showed the highest contributions to the overall adsorption process with energetic values up to -74.36 kcal/mol. Concurrently, variations of molecular orbitals distribution along with alterations in the energy gap (Egap) and Fermi level (EFL) of the studied nanocage were denoted after adsorbing the MCP drug. The favorable impact of water solvent within the MCP⋅⋅⋅Al12P12 complexes was unveiled and confirmed by negative solvation energy (ΔEsolv) values up to -17.75 kcal/mol. According to thermodynamic parameters, the spontaneous and exothermic natures of the considered adsorption process were proclaimed by negative values of ΔG and ΔH parameters. Significant changes in the IR and Raman peaks, along with the appearance of new peaks, were noticed, confirming the occurrence of the targeted adsorption process. Furthermore, the adsorption features of the MCP drug on the Al12N12 nanocage were elucidated and compared to the Al12P12 analog. The obtained results demonstrated the higher preferability of Al12P12 nanocage than the Al12N12 candidate towards adsorbing the MCP drug without structural distortion.

Structural and electronic properties of H2, CO, CH4, NO, and NH3 adsorbed onto Al12Si12 nanocages using density functional theory

In this study, the adsorption of gases (CH₄, CO, H₂, NH₃, and NO) onto Al₁₂Si₁₂ nanocages was theoretically investigated using density functional theory. For each type of gas molecule, two different adsorption sites above the Al and Si atoms on the cluster surface were explored. We performed geometry optimization on both the pure nanocage and nanocages after gas adsorption and calculated their adsorption energies and electronic properties. The geometric structure of the complexes changed slightly following gas adsorption. We show that these adsorption processes were physical ones and observed that NO adsorbed onto Al₁₂Si₁₂ had the strongest adsorption stability. The E _g (energy band gap) value of the Al₁₂Si₁₂ nanocage was 1.38 eV, indicating that it possesses semiconductor properties. The E _g values of the complexes formed after gas adsorption were all lower than that of the pure nanocage, with the NH₃-Si complex showing the greatest decrease in E _g. Additionally, the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital were analyzed according to Mulliken charge transfer theory. Interaction with various gases was found to remarkably decrease the E _g of the pure nanocage. The electronic properties of the nanocage were strongly affected by interaction with various gases. The E _g value of the complexes decreased due to the electron transfer between the gas molecule and the nanocage. The density of states of the gas adsorption complexes were also analyzed, and the results showed that the E _g of the complexes decreased due to changes in the 3p orbital of the Si atom. This study theoretically devised novel multifunctional nanostructures through the adsorption of various gases onto pure nanocages, and the findings indicate the promise of these structures for use in electronic devices.

Mg12O12 and Be12O12 Nanocages as Sorbents and Sensors for H2S and SO2 Gases: A Theoretical Approach

Theoretical calculations based on the Density Functional Theory (DFT) have been performed to investigate the interaction of H2S as well SO2 gaseous molecules at the surfaces of Be12O12 and Mg12O12 nano-cages. The results show that a Mg12O12 nano-cage is a better sorbent than a Be12O12 nano-cage for the considered gases. Moreover, the ability of SO2 gas to be adsorbed is higher than that of H2S gas. The HOMO-LUMO gap (Eg) of Be12O12 nano-cage is more sensitive to SO2 than H2S adsorption, while the Eg value of Mg12O12 nano-cage reveals higher sensitivity to H2S than SO2 adsorption. The molecular dynamic calculations show that the H2S molecule cannot be retained at the surface of a Be12O12 nano-cage within 300-700 K and cannot be retained on a Mg12O12 nano-cage at 700 K, while the SO2 molecule can be retained at the surfaces of Be12O12 and Mg12O12 nano-cages up to 700 K. Moreover, the thermodynamic calculations indicate that the reactions between H2S as well SO2 with Be12O12 and Mg12O12 nano-cages are exothermic. Our results suggest that we can use Be12O12 and Mg12O12 nano-cages as sorbents as well as sensors for H2S and SO2 gases.

DFT Study Adsorption of Hydroxychloroquine for Treatment COVID-19 by SiC Nanotube and Al, Si Doping on Carbon Nanotube Surface: A Drug Delivery Simulation

This study aims to investigate the capability of aluminum-doped nanotubes, silicon-doped nanotubes, and silicon carbide nanotubes to adsorb Hydroxychloroquine (C18H26ClN3O) molecular using DFT theory at 6-31G** basis set and M062x level of theory. The calculated results indicate that the distance between nanotubes and the drug from the N site is lower than from all other locations sites for all investigated nanotubes, and adsorption is more favorable, especially for Al-CNT nanotube. The adsorption energy, hardness, softness, and fermi energy results reveal that the interaction of Hydroxychloroquine with Al-CNT is stronger than Si-CNT and SiC-NT. The results clarify that Al-CNT is a promising adsorbent for this drug as Eads of Hydroxychloroquine/Al-CNT complexes are –45.07, –15.78, –45.15, –93.53 kcal/mol in the gas phase and –43.02, –14.43, –43.86, –88.97 kcal/mol for aqueous solution. The energy gap of the Hydroxychloroquine/Al-CNT system is in the range of 2.32 to 3.84 eV.

The recent advancement of low-dimensional nanostructured materials for drug delivery and drug sensing application: A brief review

In this review article, we have presented a detailed analysis of the recent advancement of quantum mechanical calculations in the applications of the low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs) into biomedical fields like biosensors and drug delivery systems development. Biosensors play an essential role for many communities, e.g. law enforcing agencies to sense illicit drugs, medical communities to remove overdosed medications from the human and animal body etc. Besides, drug delivery systems are theoretically being proposed for many years and experimentally found to deliver the drug to the targeted sites by reducing the harmful side effects significantly. In current COVID-19 pandemic, biosensors can play significant roles, e.g. to remove experimental drugs during the human trials if they show any unwanted adverse effect etc. where the drug delivery systems can be potentially applied to reduce the side effects. But before proceeding to these noble and expensive translational research works, advanced theoretical calculations can provide the possible outcomes with considerable accuracy. Hence in this review article, we have analyzed how theoretical calculations can be used to investigate LDNs as potential biosensor devices or drug delivery systems. We have also made a very brief discussion on the properties of biosensors or drug delivery systems which should be investigated for the biomedical applications and how to calculate them theoretically. Finally, we have made a detailed analysis of a large number of recently published research works where theoretical calculations were used to propose different LDNs for bio-sensing and drug delivery applications.