Ab Initio Study of Defect Sites at the Inner Surfaces of Mesoporous Silicas

Energy Transfer from Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Implications for Magnetic Hyperthermia

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have gained momentum in the field of biomedical applications. They can be remotely heated via alternating magnetic fields, and such heat can be transferred from the IONPs to the local environment. However, the microscopic mechanism of heat transfer is still debated. By X-ray total scattering experiments and first-principles simulations, we show how such heat transfer can occur. After establishing structural and microstructural properties of the maghemite phase of the IONPs, we built a maghemite model functionalized with aminoalkoxysilane, a molecule used to anchor (bio)molecules to oxide surfaces. By a linear response theory approach, we reveal that a resonance mechanism is responsible for the heat transfer from the IONPs to the surroundings. Heat transfer occurs not only via covalent linkages with the IONP but also through the solvent hydrogen-bond network. This result may pave the way to exploit the directional control of the heat flow from the IONPs to the anchored molecules-i.e., antibiotics, therapeutics, and enzymes-for their activation or release in a broader range of medical and industrial applications.

The Early Steps of Molecule-to-Material Conversion in Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD): A Case Study

Transition metal complexes with β-diketonate and diamine ligands are valuable precursors for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of metal oxide nanomaterials, but the metal-ligand bond dissociation mechanism on the growth surface is not yet clarified in detail. We address this question by density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) in combination with the Blue Moon (BM) statistical sampling approach. AIMD simulations of the Zn β-diketonate-diamine complex Zn(hfa)₂TMEDA (hfa = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionate; TMEDA = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine), an amenable precursor for the CVD of ZnO nanosystems, show that rolling diffusion of this precursor at 500 K on a hydroxylated silica slab leads to an octahedral-to-square pyramidal rearrangement of its molecular geometry. The free energy profile of the octahedral-to-square pyramidal conversion indicates that the process barrier (5.8 kcal/mol) is of the order of magnitude of the thermal energy at the operating temperature. The formation of hydrogen bonds with surface hydroxyl groups plays a key role in aiding the dissociation of a Zn-O bond. In the square-pyramidal complex, the Zn center has a free coordination position, which might promote the interaction with incoming reagents on the deposition surface. These results provide a valuable atomistic insight on the molecule-to-material conversion process which, in perspective, might help to tailor by design the first nucleation stages of the target ZnO-based nanostructures.

Confining a Protein-Containing Water Nanodroplet inside Silica Nanochannels

Incorporation of biological systems in water nanodroplets has recently emerged as a new frontier to investigate structural changes of biomolecules, with perspective applications in ultra-fast drug delivery. We report on the molecular dynamics of the digestive protein Pepsin subjected to a double confinement. The double confinement stemmed from embedding the protein inside a water nanodroplet, which in turn was caged in a nanochannel mimicking the mesoporous silica SBA-15. The nano-bio-droplet, whose size fits with the pore diameter, behaved differently depending on the protonation state of the pore surface silanols. Neutral channel sections allowed for the droplet to flow, while deprotonated sections acted as anchoring piers for the droplet. Inside the droplet, the protein, not directly bonded to the surface, showed a behavior similar to that reported for bulk water solutions, indicating that double confinement should not alter its catalytic activity. Our results suggest that nanobiodroplets, recently fabricated in volatile environments, can be encapsulated and stored in mesoporous silicas.

Water in zeolite L and its MOF mimic

Confinement of molecules in one dimensional arrays of channel-shaped cavities has led to technologically interesting materials. However, the interactions governing the supramolecular aggregates still remain obscure, even for the most common guest molecule: water. Herein, we use computational chemistry methods (#compchem) to study the water organization inside two different channel-type environments: zeolite L – a widely used matrix for inclusion of dye molecules, and ZLMOF – the closest metal-organic-framework mimic of zeolite L. In ZLMOF, the methyl groups of the ligands protrude inside the channels, creating nearly isolated nanocavities. These cavities host well-separated ring-shaped clusters of water molecules, dominated mainly by water-water hydrogen bonds. ZLMOF provides arrays of “isolated supramolecule” environments, which might be exploited for the individual confinement of small species with interesting optical or catalytic properties. In contrast, the one dimensional channels of zeolite L contain a continuous supramolecular structure, governed by the water interactions with potassium cations and by water-water hydrogen bonds. Water imparts a significant energetic stabilization to both materials, which increases with the water content in ZLMOF and follows the opposite trend in zeolite L. The water network in zeolite L contains an intriguing hypercoordinated structure, where a water molecule is surrounded by five strong hydrogen bonds. Such a structure, here described for the first time in zeolites, can be considered as a water pre-dissociation complex and might explain the experimentally detected high proton activity in zeolite L nanochannels.

Supramolecular Organization in Confined Nanospaces

Empty spaces are abhorred by nature, which immediately rushes in to fill the void. Humans have learnt pretty well how to make ordered empty nanocontainers, and to get useful products out of them. When such an order is imparted to molecules, new properties may appear, often yielding advanced applications. This review illustrates how the organized void space inherently present in various materials: zeolites, clathrates, mesoporous silica/organosilica, and metal organic frameworks (MOF), for example, can be exploited to create confined, organized, and self-assembled supramolecular structures of low dimensionality. Features of the confining matrices relevant to organization are presented with special focus on molecular-level aspects. Selected examples of confined supramolecular assemblies - from small molecules to quantum dots or luminescent species - are aimed to show the complexity and potential of this approach. Natural confinement (minerals) and hyperconfinement (high pressure) provide further opportunities to understand and master the atomistic-level interactions governing supramolecular organization under nanospace restrictions.

Disentangling protein-silica interactions

We present the results of modelling studies aimed at the understanding of the interaction of a 7 nm sized water droplet containing a negatively charged globular protein with flat silica surfaces. We show how the droplet interaction with the surface depends on the electrostatic surface charge, and that adhesion of the droplet occurs when the surface is negatively charged as well. The key role of water and of the charge-balancing counter ions in mediating the surface-protein adhesion is highlighted. The relevance of the present results with respect to the production of bioinorganic hybrids via encapsulation of proteins inside mesoporous silica materials is discussed.

Surface signatures of bioactivity: MD simulations of 45S and 65S silicate glasses

The surface of a bioactive (45S) and a bioinactive (65S) glass composition has been modeled using shell-model classical molecular dynamics simulations. Direct comparison of the two structures allowed us to identify the potential role of specific surface features in the processes leading to integration of a bioglass implant with the host tissues, focusing in particular on the initial dissolution of the glass network. The simulations highlight the critical role of network fragmentation and sodium enrichment of the surface in determining the rapid hydrolysis and release of silica fragments in solution, characteristic of highly bioactive compositions. On the other hand, no correlation has been found between the surface density of small (two- and three-membered) rings and bioactivity, thus suggesting that additional factors need to be taken into account to fully understand the role of these sites in the mechanism leading to calcium phosphate deposition on the glass surface.

Modeling the water-bioglass interface by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations

The hydration of the surface of a highly bioactive silicate glass was modeled using ab initio (Car-Parrinello) molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations, focusing on the structural and chemical modifications taking place at the glass-water interface immediately after contact and on the way in which they can affect the bioactivity of these materials. The adsorption of a water dimer and trimer on the dry surface was studied first, followed by the extended interface between the glass and liquid water. The CPMD trajectories provide atomistic insight into the initial stages relevant to the biological activity of these materials: following contact of the glass with an aqueous (physiological) medium, the initial enrichment of the surface region in Na+ cations establishes dominant Na+-water interactions at the surface, which allow water molecules to penetrate into the open glass network and start its partial dissolution. The model of a Na/H-exchanged interface shows that Ca2+-water interactions are mainly established after the dominant fraction of Na is leached into the solution. Another critical role of modifier cations was highlighted: they provide the Lewis acidity necessary to neutralize OH(-) produced by water dissociation and protonation of nonbridging oxygen (NBO) surface sites. The CPMD simulations also highlighted an alternative, proton-hopping mechanism by which the same process can take place in the liquid water film. The main features of the bioactive glass surface immediately after contact with an aqueous medium, as emerged from the simulations, are (a) silanol groups formed by either water dissociation at undercoordinated Si sites or direct protonation of NBOs, (b) OH(-) groups generally stabilized by modifier cations and coupled with the protonated NBOs, and (c) small rings, relatively stable and unopened even after exposure to liquid water. The possible role and effect of these sites in the bioactive process are discussed.

Oxidation State of Vanadium Introduced in Dealuminated β Zeolite by Impregnation with VIVOSO4 Solution: Influence of Preparation Parameters

Vanadium was introduced in dealuminated beta zeolite by impregnation with a VIVOSO4 aqueous solution at 353 K in air or argon (to prevent oxidation of VIV), leading to VSibeta and VSibeta-Ar zeolites, respectively. The samples were characterized by spectroscopy, XRD, and N2-physisorption. The oxidation state and environment of V in Sibeta zeolite depend on the preparation parameters (i.e., on the way the solid is recovered after impregnation and on the drying temperature). In solids recovered by centrifugation, washed with distilled water, and then dried overnight at 298 K in argon, vanadium is found as extra-lattice octahedral VIV ions as evidenced by EPR. In contrast, in solids not washed but directly dried overnight at 353 K in air or argon, vanadium is found in both cases as lattice tetrahedral VV ions. These ions are incorporated into vacant T sites associated with SiOH, SiO-, oxygen vacancies (OVs) or nonbridging oxygen (NBOs) defects as shown by diffuse reflectance UV-visible, 51V MAS NMR, FT-IR, and photoluminescence. The oxidation to VV ions is suggested to be due to an electron transfer from VO2+ to trigonal identical with Si+ defect sites followed by reaction of the resulting VO2+ ions with particular defects of vacant T sites. These processes occur already upon drying of V-impregnated Sibeta at 353 K. 51V MAS NMR allows detection of one kind of lattice tetrahedral V ions in VSibeta and two kinds in VSibeta-Ar. The formation of different kinds of tetrahedral V species is related to the presence in vacant T sites of Sibeta zeolite of different types of defect sites such as trigonal identical with Si+ defect or SiOH and SiO- groups.