Regioselectivity in the Chemical Reactions between Molecules and Protons: A Quantum Fluid Density Functional Study

Stoichiometry Dependence of Physical and Electrochemical Properties of the SnOx Film Anodes Deposited by Pulse DC Magnetron Sputtering

A batch of Sn oxides was fabricated by pulse direct current reactive magnetron sputtering (pDC-RMS) using different Ar/O₂ flow ratios at 0.3 Pa; the influence of stoichiometry on the physical and electrochemical properties of the films was evaluated by the characterization of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray reflection (XRR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and more. The results were as follows. First, the film surface transitioned from a particle morphology (roughness of 50.0 nm) to a smooth state (roughness of 3.7 nm) when Ar/O₂ flow ratios changed from 30/0 to 23/7; second, all SnO_x films were in an amorphous state, some samples deposited with low O₂ flow ratios (≤2 sccm) still included metallic Sn grains. Therefore, the stoichiometry of SnO_x calculated by XPS spectra increased linearly from SnO_0.0.08 to SnO_1.71 as the O₂ flow ratios increased, and the oxidation degree was further calibrated by the average valence method and SnO₂ standard material. Finally, the electrochemical performance was confirmed to be improved with the increase in oxidation degree (x) in SnO_x, and the SnO_1.71 film deposited with Ar/O₂ = 23/7 possessed the best cycle performance, reversible capacity of 396.1 mAh/g and a capacity retention ratio of 75.4% after 50 cycles at a constant current density of 44 μA/cm².

Conceptual density functional theory based electronic structure principles

In this review article, we intend to highlight the basic electronic structure principles and various reactivity descriptors as defined within the premise of conceptual density functional theory (CDFT). Over the past several decades, CDFT has proven its worth in providing valuable insights into various static as well as time-dependent physicochemical problems. Herein, having briefly outlined the basics of CDFT, we describe various situations where CDFT based reactivity theory could be employed in order to gain insights into the underlying mechanism of several chemical processes.

Reactivity Dynamics

The chemical reactivity of a molecule as a whole or of an atom in a molecule varies during a chemical reaction. A variation of global and local reactivity descriptors in the course of a physicochemical process was studied within a quantum fluid density functional theory framework. Effects of a physical confinement and the electronic excitation therein were studied. In this Perspective, we also highlight the direction of a spontaneous chemical reaction in the light of the dynamical variants of the conceptual density functional theory-based electronic structure principles. An exhaustive state-of-the-art dynamical study is warranted in order to understand a chemical reaction from a reactivity perspective augmenting the associated molecular reaction dynamics analysis.

Chemical descriptors for describing physico-chemical properties with applications to geosciences

Chemical descriptors using DFT concepts characterize elements reactivity. Such descriptors, namely hardness and electrophilicity, are components of the derivative of the chemical potential. Their values form a new coordinates system, on which a third parameter can be mapped. The simplest mapping is the chemical potential itself, but other mapping may involve totally different chemical or physical parameters. Examples use rock analyses generated within the continental or oceanic crust of the Earth. They are usually described in an 11D system of major oxides. The new system of coordinates reduces the description to a more easily tractable 2D diagram. It also represents a base for plotting other chemical information, such as the normative component composition or a combination of them. Physically, other properties, such as the polymerization state or viscosity values, can be used to produce a 3D topography. Other topographic surfaces similar to the chemical potential of elements can be mapped, allowing quantification of partition coefficient values when elements fractionate in both liquid or viscous states. The reduction of an 11D diagram to a 2D one is suggested in other scientific descriptions of complex combinations. Graphical abstract [ω-η] diagrams showing the chemical potential and the different continental and oceanic rock typesthen ading some chemical (Aluminium Saturation Index) parameter.

Orbital free DFT versus single density equation: a perspective through quantum domain behavior of a classically chaotic system

Regular to chaotic transition takes place in a driven van der Pol oscillator in both classical and quantum domains.

Application of the electron density force to chemical reactivity

In this paper the concept of force experienced by the electron density is applied to chemical reactivity. The force is based upon the gradient of a local chemical potential. Closely related concepts such as force field lines and local electron flux are defined to provide insight in chemical reactivity. The time evolution of a molecular site density is also proposed. From the divergence of the force, the nucleophilic and electrophilic behaviour of atomic sites are characterized. Finally, the relations between the force and local conceptual DFT descriptors are also given.