Relativistic Density Functional Theory Calculations Research Articles

Calculating transition dipole moments of phosphorescent emitters for efficient organic light-emitting diodes.

The out-coupling of light from an organic light-emitting diode, and thus its efficiency, strongly depends on the orientation of the transition dipole moment (TDM) of the emitting molecules with respect to the substrate surface. Despite the importance of this quantity, theoretical investigations of the direction of the TDM of phosphorescent emitters based on iridium(iii) complexes remain limited. One challenge is to find an appropriate level of theory able to accurately predict the direction of the TDM. Here, we report relativistic time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of the TDM, emission energies and lifetimes for both the ground-state (S0) and triplet (T1) excited-state geometries of fac-tris(2-phenylpyridyl)iridium(iii) (Ir(ppy)3), using the two-component zero-order regular approximation (ZORA) or including spin-orbit coupling (SOC) perturbatively using the simpler one-component (scalar) formulation. We show that the one- and two-component approaches give similar emission energies and overall radiative lifetimes for each individual geometry. Use of the S0 geometry leads to two of the excited triplet substates being degenerate, with the degeneracy lifted for the T1 geometry, with the latter matching experiment. Two-component calculations using the T1 geometry give results for the direction of the TDM more consistent with experiment than calculations using the S0 geometry. Finally, we show that adding a dielectric medium does not affect the direction of TDM significantly, but leads to better agreement with the experimentally measured radiative lifetime.

Theoretical Elucidation of Am(III)/Cm(III) Separation Mechanism with Diamide-type Ligands Using Relativistic Density Functional Theory Calculation.

We elucidated the separation mechanism between Am(III) and Cm(III) ions by using two different types of diamide ligands, diglycolamide (DGA) and alkylated diamide amine (ADAAM), by means of the density functional theory technique and electron density analysis. The molecular geometries and formation reactions of the metal-ligand complexes were modeled by using [M(DGA)3]3+ and [M(ADAAM)(NO3)3(H2O)]. We successfully reproduced Cm(III) selectivity over Am(III) with DGA and Am(III) selectivity over Cm(III) with ADAAM. Furthermore, we analyzed the bonding properties between the metal ion and the diamide-type ligands by using model complexes, [M(DGA)3]3+ and [M(ADAAM)(NO3)3(H2O)], and revealed the differences in terms of the bond dissociation energy and the metal 5f orbital participation in the covalency between the Am(III) and the Cm(III) complexes. It was suggested that the differences were key factors to understand the Am(III)/Cm(III) selectivity.

Formation of Coinage-Metal···Fullerene Adducts. Evaluation of the Interaction Nature between Triangular Coinage Metal Complexes (M3 = Cu, Ag, and Au) and C60 through Relativistic Density Functional Theory Calculations

The recent formation of [M3(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]–C60 cocrystals in a 4:1 ratio have shown the coinage metal complex’s ability to bind fullerene, acting as buckycatchers. Here, we clarify the nature of s...

Rare and Nonexistent Nitrosyls: Periodic Trends and Relativistic Effects in Ruthenium and Osmium Porphyrin-Based {MNO}7 Complexes.

Relativistic and nonrelativistic density functional theory calculations were used to investigate rare or nonexistent ruthenium and osmium analogues of nitrosylhemes. Strong ligand field effects and, to a lesser degree, relativistic effects were found to destabilize {RuNO}7 porphyrins relative to their {FeNO}7 analogues. Substantially stronger relativistic effects account for the even greater instability and/or nonexistence of {OsNO}7 porphyrin derivatives.

Interplay of Through-Bond Hyperfine and Substituent Effects on the NMR Chemical Shifts in Ru(III) Complexes.

The links between the molecular structure and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters of paramagnetic transition-metal complexes are still relatively unexplored. This applies particularly to the contact term of the hyperfine contribution to the NMR chemical shift. We report combining experimental NMR with relativistic density functional theory (DFT) to study a series of Ru(III) complexes with 2-substituted β-diketones. A series of complexes with systematically varied substituents was synthesized and analyzed using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The NMR spectra recorded at several temperatures were used to construct Curie plots and estimate the temperature-independent (orbital) and temperature-dependent (hyperfine) contributions to the NMR shift. Relativistic DFT calculations of electron paramagnetic resonance and NMR parameters were performed to interpret the experimental observations. The effects of individual factors such as basis set, density functional, exact-exchange admixture, and relativity are analyzed and discussed. Based on the calibration study in this work, the fully relativistic Dirac-Kohn-Sham (DKS) method, the GIAO approach (orbital shift), the PBE0 functional with the triple-ζ valence basis sets, and the polarizable continuum model for describing solvent effects were selected to calculate the NMR parameters. The hyperfine contribution to the total paramagnetic NMR (pNMR) chemical shift is shown to be governed by the Fermi-contact (FC) term, and the substituent effect (H vs Br) on the through-bond FC shifts is analyzed, interpreted, and discussed in terms of spin-density distribution, atomic spin populations, and molecular-orbital theory. In contrast to the closed-shell systems of Rh(III), the presence of a single unpaired electron in the open-shell Ru(III) analogs significantly alters the NMR resonances of the ligand atoms distant from the metal center in synergy with the substituent effect.

Variation of half-life and internal-conversion electron energy spectrum between U235m oxide and fluoride

The nuclear half-life of $^{235m}\mathrm{U}$ has been reported to vary depending on the chemical environment. In this study, both the half-life and the internal-conversion (IC) electron energy spectrum were measured for $^{235m}\mathrm{U}$ with identical chemical environments for the first time. $^{235m}\mathrm{U}$ oxide and fluoride samples were subjected to these measurements, and clear differences in the half-life and the energy spectrum between these samples were observed. The peaks in the energy spectra were identified with a relativistic density functional theory calculation. The molecular orbital states of the $^{235m}\mathrm{U}$ oxide and fluoride, which were estimated from the energy spectra and the calculation, qualitatively explained the difference in the half-lives between the samples.

Low-Spin Fe(III) Macrocyclic Complexes of Imidazole-Appended 1,4,7-Triazacyclononane as Paramagnetic Probes.

Two macrocyclic complexes of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN), one with N-methyl imidazole pendants, [Fe(Mim)]3+, and one with unsubstituted NH imidazole pendants, [Fe(Tim)]3+, were prepared with a view toward biomedical imaging applications. These low-spin Fe3+ complexes produce moderately paramagnetically shifted and relatively sharp 1H NMR resonances for paraSHIFT and paraCEST applications. The [Fe(Tim)]3+ complex undergoes pH-dependent changes in NMR spectra in solution that are consistent with the consecutive deprotonation of all three imidazole pendant groups at high pH values. N-Methylation of the imidazole pendants in [Fe(Mim)]3+ produces a complex that dissociates more readily at high pH in comparison to [Fe(Tim)]3+, which contains ionizable donor groups. Cyclic voltammetry studies show that the redox potential of [Fe(Mim)]3+ is invariant with pH ( E1/2 = 328 ± 3 mV vs NHE) between pH 3.2 and 8.4, unlike the Fe(III) complex of Tim which shows a 590 mV change in redox potential over the pH range of 3.3-12.8. Magnetic susceptibility studies in solution give magnetic moments of 0.91-1.3 cm3 K mol-1 (μeff value = 2.7-3.2) for both complexes. Solid-state measurements show that the susceptibility is consistent with a S = 1/2 state over the temperature range of 0 to 300 K, with no crossover to a high-spin state under these conditions. The crystal structure of [Fe(Mim)](OTf)3 shows a six-coordinate all-nitrogen bound Fe(III) in a distorted octahedral environment. Relativistic ab initio wave function and density functional theory (DFT) calculations on [Fe(Mim)]3+, some with spin orbit coupling, were used to predict the ground spin state. Relative energies of the doublet, quartet, and sextet spin states were consistent with the doublet S = 1/2 state being the lowest in energy and suggested that excited states with higher spin multiplicities are not thermally accessible. Calculations were consistent with the magnetic susceptibility determined in the solid state.

Effective lattice Hamiltonian for monolayer tin disulfide: Tailoring electronic structure with electric and magnetic fields

The electronic properties of monolayer tin dulsulphide (ML-SnS2), a recently synthesized metal dichalcogenide, are studied by a combination of first-principles calculations and tight-binding (TB) approximation. An effective lattice Hamiltonian based on six hybrid sp-like orbitals with trigonal rotation symmetry are proposed to calculate the band structure and density of states for ML-SnS2, which demonstrates good quantitative agreement with relativistic density functional theory calculations in a wide energy range. We show that the proposed TB model can be easily applied to the case of an external electric field, yielding results consistent with those obtained from full Hamiltonian results. In the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field, highly degenerate equidistant Landau levels are obtained, showing typical two-dimensional electron gas behavior. Thus, the proposed TB model provides a simple new way in describing novel properties in ML-SnS2.

In Situ X-ray Diffraction Study of the Thermal Decomposition of Selenogallates Cs2[Ga2(Se2)2- xSe2+ x] ( x = 0, 1, 2).

The selenogallates CsGaSe3 and Cs2Ga2Se5 release gaseous selenium upon heating. An in situ high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction analysis revealed a two-step degradation process from CsGaSe3 to Cs2Ga2Se5 and finally to CsGaSe2. During each step, one Se22- unit of the anionic chains in Cs2[Ga2(Se2)2- xSe2+ x] ( x = 0, 1, 2) decomposes, and one equivalent of selenium is released. This thermal decomposition can be reverted by simple addition of elemental selenium and subsequent annealing of the samples below the decomposition temperature. The influence of the diselenide units in the anionic selenogallate chains on the optical properties and electronic structures was further studied by UV/vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and relativistic density functional theory calculations, revealing increasing optical band gaps with decreasing Se22- content.

Properties of Single Oxygen Vacancies on a Realistic (TiO2)84 Nanoparticle: A Challenge for Density Functionals

Based on all electron relativistic density functional theory calculations, the properties of single oxygen vacancies in TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) have been obtained using a suitable representative model consisting of an octahedral (TiO2)84 nanoparticle of ∼3 nm size terminated with (101) facets. This nanoparticle can be safely considered at the onset of the so-called scalable regime where properties scale linearly with size toward bulklike limit, and hence results can be more directly compared to experiment. A set of reduced Ti84O167 nanoparticles are selected to investigate the geometric, energetic, and electronic properties by using PBE semilocal functional with three different amounts of Fock exchange: 0% (PBE), 12.5% (PBEx), and 25% (PBE0). In particular, using the PBEx hybrid functional, previously validated for bulk anatase and rutile, it is predicted that the highly (three)-coordinated oxygen atom, located in the subsurface, and the least coordinated one at top sites are energetically the most suita...

Uncovering the impact of 'capsule' shaped amine-type ligands on Am(iii)/Eu(iii) separation.

Separation of trivalent actinides (An(iii)) and lanthanides (Ln(iii)) in spent nuclear fuel reprocessing is extremely challenging mainly owing to their similar chemical properties. Two amine-type reagents, tetrakis(2-pyridyl-methyl)-1,2-ethylenediamine (TPEN) and its hydrophobic derivative N,N,N',N'-tetrakis((4-butoxypyridin-2-yl)methyl)-ethylenediamine (TBPEN), have been identified to possess a selectivity for Am(iii) over Eu(iii). In this work, the structures, bonding nature, and thermodynamic behaviors of the Am(iii) and Eu(iii) complexes with these two ligands have been systematically studied via scalar relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. According to Mayer bond order and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses, interactions between the ligands and metal cations exhibit some degree of covalent character with relatively more covalency for Am(iii) complexes. In comparison with TPEN, TBPEN has better extractability but worse separation ability for Am(iii) and Eu(iii). Four nitrogen atoms in pyridine moieties may be responsible for the different extraction abilities of TPEN and TBPEN, while two nitrogen atoms in amine chains of these ligands appear to play more important roles in the separation of Am(iii)/Eu(iii). These different extraction behaviors may be attributed to the longer and thinner 'capsule' shaped TBPEN ligand compared to TPEN. Our study might provide new insights into understanding the selectivity of the amine-type ligands toward minor actinides, and pave the way for designing new TPEN derivatives for extraction and separation of An(iii)/Ln(iii).

Relativistic DFT Calculations of Hyperfine Coupling Constants in 5d Hexafluorido Complexes: [ReF6 ]2- and [IrF6 ]2.

The performance of relativistic density functional theory (DFT) methods has been investigated for the calculation of the recently measured hyperfine coupling constants of hexafluorido complexes [ReF6]2− and [IrF6]2−. Three relativistic methods were employed at the DFT level of theory: the 2‐component zeroth‐order regular approximation (ZORA) method, in which the spin–orbit coupling was treated either variationally (EV ZORA) or as a perturbation (LR ZORA), and the 4‐component Dirac–Kohn–Sham (DKS) method. The dependence of the results on the basis set and the choice of exchange‐correlation functional was studied. Furthermore, the effect of varying the amount of Hartree–Fock exchange in the hybrid functionals was investigated. The LR ZORA and DKS methods combined with DFT led to very similar deviations (about 20 %) from the experimental values for the coupling constant of complex [ReF6]2− by using hybrid functionals. However, none of the methods were able to reproduce the large anisotropy of the hyperfine coupling tensor of complex [ReF6]2−. For [IrF6]2−, the EV ZORA and DKS methods reproduced the experimental tensor components with deviations of ≈10 and ≈5 % for the hybrid functionals, whereas the LR ZORA method predicted the coupling constant to be around one order of magnitude too large owing to the combination of large spin–orbit coupling and very low excitation energies.

Relativistic effects on the NMR parameters of Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb alkynyl compounds: Scalar versus spin-orbit effects.

The NMR chemical shifts and indirect spin-spin coupling constants of 12 molecules containing 29Si, 73Ge, 119Sn, and 207Pb [X(CCMe)4, Me2X(CCMe)2, and Me3XCCH] are presented. The results are obtained from non-relativistic as well as two- and four-component relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The scalar and spin-orbit relativistic contributions as well as the total relativistic corrections are determined. The main relativistic effect in these molecules is not due to spin-orbit coupling but rather to the scalar relativistic contraction of the s-shells. The correlation between the calculated and experimental indirect spin-spin coupling constants showed that the four-component relativistic density functional theory (DFT) approach using the Perdew's hybrid scheme exchange-correlation functional (PBE0; using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof exchange and correlation functionals) gives results in good agreement with experimental values. The indirect spin-spin coupling constants calculated using the spin-orbit zeroth order regular approximation together with the hybrid PBE0 functional and the specially designed J-coupling (JCPL) basis sets are in good agreement with the results obtained from the four-component relativistic calculations. For the coupling constants involving the heavy atoms, the relativistic corrections are of the same order of magnitude compared to the non-relativistically calculated results. Based on the comparisons of the calculated results with available experimental values, the best results for all the chemical shifts and non-existing indirect spin-spin coupling constants for all the molecules are reported, hoping that these accurate results will be used to benchmark future DFT calculations. The present study also demonstrates that the four-component relativistic DFT method has reached a level of maturity that makes it a convenient and accurate tool to calculate indirect spin-spin coupling constants of "large" molecular systems involving heavy atoms.

A new copper(I) coordination polymer from 2,6-bis(1H-benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine: Synthesis, characterization, and use as additive in transparent submicron UV filters

The use of a new copper(I) coordination polymer (CP) as additive in transparent composite films of 190 nm of thickness for ultraviolet (UV) shielding is presented. The luminescent 1-D Cu(I) CP was easily synthesized through a self-assembly process between Cu(I) iodide and 2,6-bis(1H-benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (L). The CP, [Cu2(μ − I)2(μ − L)2]n, was structurally characterized by infrared, UV–visible diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, and relativistic density functional theory calculations. The CP was dispersed and immobilized into a polymeric matrix in the presence of Sudan I, yielding a composite material that exhibits a reduction of 49% of the UV transmittance at 350 nm. Thus, the use of a new Cu(I) CP in polymeric composite films appears as a novel approach toward ultrathin and transparent UV shielding films, which have potential applications as protection layers of paints and coatings that tend to degrade when exposed to UV radiation.

Theoretical studies on the structural, electronic and optical properties of orthorhombic perovskites CH3NH3PbX3(X = I, Br, Cl)

In this study, we report advanced density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of orthorhombic perovskite CH3NH3PbX3(X=I,Br,Cl). We present basic parameters such as lattice constants, electronic structures, effective charge masses, optical absorption spectra, and excitonic binding energies to understand the fundamental properties of CH3NH3PbX3(X=I,Br,Cl). We show that scalar relativistic (SR) DFT calculations yield good band gaps for three systems, and fully relativistic spin-orbital coupling (SOC) DFT calculations give excellent reduced excitonic effective charge masses, as compared to experiments. Moreover, our calculations show that the absorption onset of CH3NH3PbX3 moves to short wavelength region with the increase of band gap. Finally, we discussed the relationship between excitonic binding energies and dielectric constants.

Competing rhombohedral and monoclinic crystal structures in MnPn2Ch4 compounds: An ab-initio study

Based on the relativistic spin-polarized density functional theory calculations we investigate the crystal structure, electronic and magnetic properties of a family MnPn2Ch4 compounds, where pnictogen metal atoms (Pn) are Sb and Bi; chalcogens (Ch) are Se, Te. We show that in the series the compounds of this family with heavier elements prefer to adopt rhombohedral crystal structure composed of weakly bonded septuple monoatomic layers while those with lighter elements tend to be in the monoclinic structure. Irrespective of the crystal structure all compounds of the MnPn2Ch4 series demonstrate a weak energy gain (of a few meV per formula unit or even smaller than meV) for antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling for magnetic moments on Mn atoms with respect to their ferromagnetic (FM) state. For rhombohedral structures the interlayer AFM coupling is preferable while in monoclinic phases intralayer AFM configuration with ferromagnetic ordering along the Mn chain and antiferromagnetic ordering between the chains has a minimum energy. Over the series the monoclinic compounds are characterized by substantially wider bandgap than compounds with rhombohedral structure.

Electronic excitations in γ−Li2IrO3

We investigate the electronic properties of the three-dimensional stripyhoneycomb $\gamma$-Li$_2$IrO$_3$ via relativistic density functional theory calculations as well as exact diagonalization of finite clusters and explore the details of the optical conductivity. Our analysis of this quantity reveals the microscopic origin of the experimentally observed (i) optical transitions and (ii) anisotropic behavior along the various polarization directions. In particular we find that the optical excitations are overall dominated by transitions between $j_\text{eff}$ = 1/2 and 3/2 states and the weight of transitions between $j_\text{eff}$ = 1/2 states at low frequencies can be correlated to deviations from a pure Kitaev description. We furthermore reanalyze within this approach the electronic excitations in the known two-dimensional honeycomb systems $\alpha$-Li$_2$IrO$_3$ and Na$_2$IrO$_3$ and discuss the results in comparison to $\gamma$-Li$_2$IrO$_3$.

Computation provides chemical insight into the diverse hydride NMR chemical shifts of [Ru(NHC)4(L)H]0/+ species (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene; L = vacant, H2, N2, CO, MeCN, O2, P4, SO2, H-, F- and Cl-) and their [Ru(R2PCH2CH2PR2)2(L)H]+ congeners.

Relativistic density functional theory calculations, both with and without the effects of spin-orbit coupling, have been employed to model hydride NMR chemical shifts for a series of [Ru(NHC)4(L)H]0/+ species (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene; L = vacant, H2, N2, CO, MeCN, O2, P4, SO2, H-, F- and Cl-), as well as selected phosphine analogues [Ru(R2PCH2CH2PR2)2(L)H]+ (R = iPr, Cy; L = vacant, O2). Inclusion of spin-orbit coupling provides good agreement with the experimental data. For the NHC systems large variations in hydride chemical shift are shown to arise from the paramagnetic term, with high net shielding (L = vacant, Cl-, F-) being reinforced by the contribution from spin-orbit coupling. Natural chemical shift analysis highlights the major orbital contributions to the paramagnetic term and rationalizes trends via changes in the energies of the occupied Ru dπ orbitals and the unoccupied σ*Ru-H orbital. In [Ru(NHC)4(η2-O2)H]+ a δ-interaction with the O2 ligand results in a low-lying LUMO of dπ character. As a result this orbital can no longer contribute to the paramagnetic shielding, but instead provides additional deshielding via overlap with the remaining (occupied) dπ orbital under the Lz angular momentum operator. These two effects account for the unusual hydride chemical shift of +4.8 ppm observed experimentally for this species. Calculations reproduce hydride chemical shift data observed for [Ru(iPr2PCH2CH2PiPr2)2(η2-O2)H]+ (δ = -6.2 ppm) and [Ru(R2PCH2CH2PR2)2H]+ (ca. -32 ppm, R = iPr, Cy). For the latter, the presence of a weak agostic interaction trans to the hydride ligand is significant, as in its absence (R = Me) calculations predict a chemical shift of -41 ppm, similar to the [Ru(NHC)4H]+ analogues. Depending on the strength of the agostic interaction a variation of up to 18 ppm in hydride chemical shift is possible and this factor (that is not necessarily readily detected experimentally) can aid in the interpretation of hydride chemical shift data for nominally unsaturated hydride-containing species. The synthesis and crystallographic characterization of the BArF4- salts of [Ru(IMe4)4(L)H]+ (IMe4 = 1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene; L = P4, SO2; ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) and [Ru(IMe4)4(Cl)H] are also reported.

The Blue-Violet Color of Pentamethylbismuth: A Visible Spin-Orbit Effect.

Two‐component relativistic time‐dependent density functional theory calculations with spin‐orbit coupling predict yellow and orange–red absorption for BiPh5 and BiMe5, respectively, providing an excellent explanation for their respective violet and blue–violet colors. According to the calculations, the visible absorption is clearly attributable to a single transition from a ligand‐based HOMO to a low‐energy LUMO with a significant contribution from a relativistically stabilized Bi 6s orbital. Surprisingly, scalar releativistic calculations completely fail to reproduce the observed visible absorption and place it at the violet/near‐UV borderline instead.

Bismuth Iodide Perovskite Materials for Solar Cell Applications: Electronic Structure, Optical Transitions, and Directional Charge Transport

Cesium and methylammonium bismuth iodides (Cs3Bi2I9 and MA3Bi2I9) are new low-toxic and air stable compounds in the perovskite solar cell family with promising characteristics. Here, the electronic structure and the nature of their optical transitions, dielectric constant, and charge carrier properties are assessed for photovoltaic applications with density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experiments. The calculated direct and indirect band gap values for Cs3Bi2I9 (2.17 and 2.0 eV) and MA3Bi2I9 (2.17 and 1.97 eV) are found to be in good agreement with the experimental optical band gaps (2.2, 2.0 eV and 2.4, 2.1 eV for Cs3Bi2I9 and MA3Bi2I9, respectively) estimated for solution-processed films. There is an error cancelation in the DFT calculated band gap similar to that for lead perovskites. However, fully relativistic DFT calculations indicate that the size of the spin orbit coupling (SOC) error cancelation for bismuth perovskite (0.5 eV) is less than for lead perovskite (1 eV), and other factors...