Electronic and Optical Properties of Eu²⁺-Activated Narrow-Band Phosphors for Phosphor-Converted Light-Emitting Diode Applications: Insights from a Theoretical Spectroscopy Perspective

In this work, we present a computational protocol that is able to predict the experimental absorption and emission spectral shapes of Eu2+-doped phosphors. The protocol is based on time-dependent density functional theory and operates in conjunction with an excited-state dynamics approach. It is demonstrated that across the study set consisting of representative examples of nitride, oxo-nitride, and oxide Eu2+-doped phosphors, the energy distribution and the band shape of the emission spectrum are related to the nature of the 4f–5d transitions that are probed in the absorption process. Since the 4f orbitals are very nearly nonbonding, the decisive quantity is the covalency of the 5d acceptor orbitals that become populated in the electronically excited state that leads to emission. The stronger the (anti) bonding interaction between the lanthanide and the ligands is in the excited state, the larger will be the excited state distortion. Consequently, the corresponding emission will get broader due to the vibronic progression that is induced by the structural distortion. In addition, the energy separation of the absorption bands that are dominated by states with valence 4f–5d and a metal to ligand charge transfer character defines a measure for the thermal quenching of the studied Eu2+-doped phosphors. Based on this analysis, simple descriptors are identified that show a strong correlation with the energy position and bandwidth of the experimental emission bands without the need for elaborate calculations. Overall, we believe that this study serves as an important reference for designing new Eu2+-doped phosphors with desired photoluminescence properties

L edge X ray absorption study of mononuclear vanadium complexes and spectral predictions using a restricted open shell configuration interaction ansatz

A series of mononuclear V^(V), V^(IV) and V^(III) complexes were investigated by V L-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The spectra show significant sensitivity to the vanadium oxidation state and the coordination environment surrounding the vanadium center. The L-edge spectra are interpreted with the aid of the recently developed Density Functional Theory/Restricted Open Shell Configuration Interaction Singles (DFT/ROCIS) method. This method is calibrated for the prediction of vanadium L-edges with different hybrid density functionals and basis sets. For the B3LYP/def2-TZVP(-f) and BHLYP/def2-TZVP(-f) functional/basis-set combinations, good to excellent agreement between calculated and experimental spectra is obtained. A treatment of the spin–orbit coupling interaction to all orders is achieved by quasi-degenerate perturbation theory (QDPT), in conjunction with DFT/ROCIS for the calculation of the molecular multiplets while accounting for dynamic correlation and anisotropic covalency. The physical origin of the observed spectral features is discussed qualitatively and quantitatively in terms of spin multiplicities, magnetic sublevels and individual 2p to 3d core level excitations. This investigation is an important prerequisite for future applications of the DFT/ROCIS method to vanadium L-edge absorption spectroscopy and vanadium-based heterogeneous catalysts

On the possibility of magneto-structural correlations: detailed studies of di-nickel carboxylate complexes

A series of water-bridged dinickel complexes of the general formula [Ni<sub>2</sub>(μ<sub>2</sub>-OH<sub>2</sub>)(μ2- O<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu)<sub>2</sub>(O<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu)2(L)(L0)] (L = HO<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu, L0 = HO<sub>2</sub>C<sup>t</sup>Bu (1), pyridine (2), 3-methylpyridine (4); L = L0 = pyridine (3), 3-methylpyridine (5)) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The magnetic properties have been probed by magnetometry and EPR spectroscopy, and detailed measurements show that the axial zero-field splitting, D, of the nickel(ii) ions is on the same order as the isotropic exchange interaction, J, between the nickel sites. The isotropic exchange interaction can be related to the angle between the nickel centers and the bridging water molecule, while the magnitude of D can be related to the coordination sphere at the nickel sites

Restricted Open-Shell Configuration Interaction Cluster Calculations of the L-Edge X-ray Absorption Study of TiO₂ and CaF₂ Solids

X-ray metal L-edge spectroscopy has proven to be a powerful technique for investigating the electronic structure of transition-metal centers in coordination compounds and extended solid systems. We have recently proposed the Restricted Open-Shell Configuration Interaction Singles (ROCIS) method and its density functional theory variant (DFT/ROCIS) as methods of general applicability for interpreting such spectra. In this work, we apply the ROCIS and DFT/ROCIS methods for the investigation of cluster systems in order to interpret the Ca and Ti L-edge spectra of CaF2 and TiO2 (rutile and anatase), respectively. Cluster models with up to 23 metallic centers are considered together with the hydrogen saturation and embedding techniques to represent the extended ionic and covalent bulk environments of CaF2 and TiO2. The experimentally probed metal coordination environment is discussed in detail. The influence of local as well as nonlocal effects on the intensity mechanism is investigated. In addition, the physical origin of the observed spectral features is qualitatively and quantitatively discussed through decomposition of the dominant relativistic states in terms of leading individual 2p–3d excitations. This contribution serves as an important reference for future applications of ROCIS and DFT/ROCIS methods in the field of metal L-edge spectroscopy in solid-state chemistry

Going beyond the electric-dipole approximation in the calculation of absorption and (magnetic) circular dichroism spectra including scalar relativistic and spin–orbit coupling effects

In this work, a time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) scheme for computing optical spectroscopic properties in the framework of linearly and circularly polarized light is presented. The scheme is based on a previously formulated theory for predicting optical absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra. The scheme operates in the framework of the full semi-classical field–matter interaction operator, thus generating a powerful and general computational scheme capable of computing the absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and MCD spectra. In addition, our implementation includes the treatment of relativistic effects in the framework of quasidegenerate perturbation theory, which accounts for scalar relativistic effects (in the self-consistent field step) and spin–orbit coupling (in the TD-DFT step), as well as external magnetic field perturbations. Hence, this formalism is also able to probe spin-forbidden transitions. The random orientations of molecules are taken into account by a semi-numerical approach involving a Lebedev numerical quadrature alongside analytical integration. It is demonstrated that the numerical quadrature requires as few as 14 points for satisfactory converged results, thus leading to a highly efficient scheme, while the calculation of the exact transition moments creates no computational bottlenecks. It is demonstrated that at zero magnetic field, the CD spectrum is recovered, while the sum of left and right circularly polarized light contributions provides the linear absorption spectrum. The virtues of this efficient and general protocol are demonstrated on a selected set of organic molecules where the various contributions to the spectral intensities have been analyzed in detail

A unified view on heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts through a combination of spectroscopy and quantum chemistry

Identifying catalytically active structures or intermediates in homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis is a formidable challenge. However, obtaining experimentally verified insight into the active species in heterogeneous catalysis is a tremendously challenging problem. Many highly advanced spectroscopic and microscopic methods have been developed to probe surfaces. In this discussion we employ a combination of spectroscopic methods to study two closely related systems from the heterogeneous (the silica-supported vanadium oxide VOx/SBA-15) and homogeneous (the complex K[VO(O2)Hheida]) domains. Spectroscopic measurements were conducted strictly in parallel for both systems and consisted of oxygen K-edge and vanadium L-edge X-ray absorption measurements in conjunction with resonance Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that the full information content of the spectra can be developed through advanced quantum chemical calculations that directly address the sought after structure–spectra relationships. To this end we employ the recently developed restricted open shell configuration interaction theory together with the time-dependent theory of electronic spectroscopy to calculate XAS and rR spectra respectively. The results of the study demonstrate that: (a) a combination of several spectroscopic techniques is of paramount importance in identifying signature structural motifs and (b) quantum chemistry is an extremely powerful guide in cross connecting theory and experiment as well as the homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis fields. It is emphasized that the calculation of spectroscopic observables provides an excellent way for the critical experimental validation of theoretical results

Comparison of multireference ab initio wavefunction methodologies for X- ray absorption edges: A case study on [Fe(II/III)Cl₄]^2-/1- molecules

In this work, we present a detailed comparison of wavefunction-based multireference (MR) techniques for the prediction of transition metal L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) using [Fe(II)Cl4]2− and [Fe(III)Cl4]1− complexes as prototypical test cases. We focus on the comparison of MR Configuration Interaction (MRCI) and MR Equation of Motion Coupled Cluster (MREOM-CC) methods, which are employed to calculate valence excitation as well as core to valence Fe L-edge XAS spectra of [Fe(II)Cl4]2− and [Fe(III)Cl4]1− complexes. The two investigated approaches are thoroughly analyzed with respect to their information content regarding (1) metal-ligand covalency, (2) ligand field splittings, (3) relativistic effects, (4) electron correlation, (5) energy distribution, and (6) intensity modulation of the experimentally observed spectral features. It is shown that at the level of MRCI calculations in both [Fe(II)Cl4]2− and [Fe(III)Cl4]1− cases, very good agreement with the experimental Fe L-edge XAS spectra is obtained provided that the employed active space is extended to include ligand-based orbitals in addition to metal-based molecular orbitals. It is shown that this is necessary in order to correctly describe the important σ− and π− Fe-Cl covalent interactions. By contrast, MREOM-CC calculations yield excellent agreement relative to experiment even with small active spaces. The efficiency of the employed MR computational protocols is thoroughly discussed. Overall, we believe that this study serves as an important reference for future developments and applications of MR methods in the field of X-Ray spectroscopy

Theoretical Analysis of the Spin Hamiltonian Parameters in Co^(II)S₄ Complexes, Using Density Functional Theory and Correlated ab initio Methods

A systematic Density Functional Theory (DFT) and multiconfigurational ab initio computational analysis of the Spin Hamiltonian (SH) parameters of tetracoordinate S = 3/2 Co(II)S4–containing complexes has been performed. The complexes under study bear either arylthiolato, ArS–, or dithioimidodiphosphinato, [R2P(S)NP(S)R′2]− ligands. These complexes were chosen because accurate structural and spectroscopic data are available, including extensive Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR)/Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) studies. For comparison purposes, the [Co(PPh3)2Cl2] complex, which was thoroughly studied in the past by High–Field and Frequency EPR and Variable Temperature, Variable Field Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD) spectroscopies, was included in the studied set. The magnitude of the computed axial zero-field splitting parameter D (ZFS), of the Co(II)S4 systems, was found to be within ∼10% of the experimental values, provided that the property calculation is taken beyond the accuracy obtained with a second-order treatment of the spin–orbit coupling interaction. This is achieved by quasi degenerate perturbation theory (QDPT), in conjunction with complete active space configuration interaction (CAS-CI). The accuracy was increased upon recovering dynamic correlation with multiconfigurational ab initio methods. Specifically, spectroscopy oriented configuration interaction (SORCI), and difference dedicated configuration interaction (DDCI) were employed for the calculation of the D-tensor. The sign and magnitude of parameter D was analyzed in the framework of Ligand Field Theory, to reveal the differences in the electronic structures of the investigated Co(II)S4 systems. For the axial complexes, accurate effective g′-tensors were obtained in the QDPT studies. These provide a diagnostic tool for the adopted ground state configuration (±3/2 or ±1/2) and are hence indicative of the sign of D. On the other hand, for the rhombic complexes, the determination of the sign of D required the SH parameters to be derived along suitably constructed symmetry interconversion pathways. This procedure, which introduces a dynamic perspective into the theoretical investigation, helped to shed some light on unresolved issues of the corresponding experimental studies. The metal hyperfine and ligand super-hyperfine A-tensors of the C2 [Co{(SPPh2)(SPiPr2)N}2] complex were estimated by DFT calculations. The theoretical data were shown to be in good agreement with the available experimental data. Decomposition of the metal A-tensor into individual contributions revealed that, despite the large ZFS, the observed significant anisotropy should be largely attributed to spin–dipolar contributions. The analysis of both, metal and ligand A-tensors, is consistent with a highly covalent character of the Co–S bonds

Theoretical analysis of the spin hamiltonian parameters in Co (II)S 4 complexes, using density functional theory and correlated ab initio methods

A systematic Density Functional Theory (DFT) and multiconfigurational ab initio computational analysis of the Spin Hamiltonian (SH) parameters of tetracoordinate S = 3/2 Co (II)S 4-containing complexes has been performed. The complexes under study bear either arylthiolato, ArS -, or dithioimidodiphosphinato, [R 2P(S)NP(S) R′ 2] - ligands. These complexes were chosen because accurate structural and spectroscopic data are available, including extensive Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR)/Electron Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) studies. For comparison purposes, the [Co(PPh 3) 2Cl 2] complex, which was thoroughly studied in the past by High-Field and Frequency EPR and Variable Temperature, Variable Field Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD) spectroscopies, was included in the studied set. The magnitude of the computed axial zero-field splitting parameter D (ZFS), of the Co (II)S 4 systems, was found to be within ∼10% of the experimental values, provided that the property calculation is taken beyond the accuracy obtained with a second-order treatment of the spin-orbit coupling interaction. This is achieved by quasi degenerate perturbation theory (QDPT), in conjunction with complete active space configuration interaction (CAS-CI). The accuracy was increased upon recovering dynamic correlation with multiconfigurational ab initio methods. Specifically, spectroscopy oriented configuration interaction (SORCI), and difference dedicated configuration interaction (DDCI) were employed for the calculation of the D-tensor. The sign and magnitude of parameter D was analyzed in the framework of Ligand Field Theory, to reveal the differences in the electronic structures of the investigated Co (II)S 4 systems. For the axial complexes, accurate effective g′-tensors were obtained in the QDPT studies. These provide a diagnostic tool for the adopted ground state configuration (±3/2 or ±1/2) and are hence indicative of the sign of D. On the other hand, for the rhombic complexes, the determination of the sign of D required the SH parameters to be derived along suitably constructed symmetry interconversion pathways. This procedure, which introduces a dynamic perspective into the theoretical investigation, helped to shed some light on unresolved issues of the corresponding experimental studies. The metal hyperfine and ligand super-hyperfine A-tensors of the C 2 [Co{(SPPh 2)(SP iPr 2)N} 2] complex were estimated by DFT calculations. The theoretical data were shown to be in good agreement with the available experimental data. Decomposition of the metal A-tensor into individual contributions revealed that, despite the large ZFS, the observed significant anisotropy should be largely attributed to spin-dipolar contributions. The analysis of both, metal and ligand A-tensors, is consistent with a highly covalent character of the Co-S bonds. © 2011 American Chemical Society