Experimental and theoretical studies of tetramethoxy-p-benzoquinone: infrared spectra, structural and lithium insertion properties

International audienceIn the search for low-polluting electrode materials for batteries, the use of redox-active organic compounds represents a promising alternative to conventional metal-based systems. In this article we report a combined experimental and theoretical study of tetramethoxy-p-benzoquinone (TMQ). In carbonate-based electrolytes, electrochemical behaviour of this compound is characterized by a reversible insertion process located at approximately 2.85 V vs. Li+/Li0. This relatively high potential reactivity, coupled with our effort to develop computational methodologies in the field of organic electrode materials, prompted us to complement these experimental data with theoretical studies performed using density functional theory (DFT). Single crystals of TMQ were synthesized and thoroughly characterized showing that this quinonic species crystallised in the P21/n space group. The experimental crystal structure of TMQ was then used to assess various DFT methods. The structural features and vibrational spectra were thus predicted by using as a whole five common density functionals (PBE, LDA, revPBE, PBEsol, B3PW91) with and without a semi-empirical correction to account for the van der Waals interactions using either Grimme's (DFT-D2) or Tkatchenko-Scheffler (TS) scheme. The most reliable combination of the DFT functional and the explicit dispersion correction was chosen to study the Li-intercalated molecular crystal (LiTMQ) with the view of indentifying Li insertion sites. A very close agreement with the experiment was found for the average voltage by using the most stable relaxed hypothetical LiTMQ structure. Additionally, a comparison of vibrational spectra gained either for TMQ molecule and its dimer in gas phase or through periodic calculation was undertaken with respect to the experimentally measured infrared spectra. The topological features of the bonds were also investigated in conjunction with estimates of net atomic charges to gain insight into the effect of chemical bonding and intermolecular interaction on Li intercalation. Finally, π-electron delocalization of both quinone and alkali salts of p-semiquinone were determined using the Harmonic Oscillator model of Aromaticity (HOMA) or aromatic fluctuation index (FLU) calculations

Application of Density Functional Theory to the modeling of oxygen ion diffusion within model solid electrolytes and mixed conductors

Ce travail de modélisation représente l'une des premières tentatives d'exploitation de la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité et de l'analyse topologique de la densité électronique pour rendre compte des processus de diffusion à l'échelle atomique dans les oxydes conducteurs ioniques. La méthodologie développée permet d'accéder aux différents facteurs susceptibles de régir le phénomène de transport de matière : effets de contrainte stérique (locale et à l'échelle de la maille du réseau), polarisabilité des espèces atomiques, transferts de charge, relaxation autour des défauts ponctuels, liaison chimique, .... Cette approche a été appliquée à l'étude du transport de l'ion oxygène dans différents électrolytes solides modèles (cérine et thorine) et dans le conducteur mixte La2NiO4+d. Au delà du cadre théorique, une approche expérimentale de ce processus à l'échelle microscopique a été initiée sur la base d'une étude par RMN de l' 17O.This modeling work constitutes one of the first attempts of exploitation of both Density Functional Theory and topological analysis of the electron density in order to account for diffusion phenomena in oxide ionic conductors at the microscopic scale. The as developed methodology enables to get the different factors likely to govern atomic transport process : steric constraint effects (locally and at the lattice parameter scale), atoms polarizability, charge transfers, relaxation in the vicinity of the point defects, chemical bonding, .... This approach has been applied to the study of oxygen transport in different model solid electrolytes (ceria and thoria) and in the mixed conductor La2NiO4+d. Beyond theoretical considerations this thesis has enabled to initiate an experimental approach of this process at the microscopic scale on the basis of a 17O NMR study

Application de la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité à la modélisation de la diffusion de l'ion oxygène dans des électrolytes solides modèles et des conducteurs mixtes

This modeling work constitutes one of the first attempts of exploitation of both Density Functional Theory and topological analysis of the electron density in order to account for diffusion phenomena in oxide ionic conductors at the microscopic scale. The as developed methodology enables to get the different factors likely to govern atomic transport process : steric constraint effects (locally and at the lattice parameter scale), atoms polarizability, charge transfers, relaxation in the vicinity of the point defects, chemical bonding, .... This approach has been applied to the study of oxygen transport in different model solid electrolytes (ceria and thoria) and in the mixed conductor La2NiO4+d. Beyond theoretical considerations this thesis has enabled to initiate an experimental approach of this process at the microscopic scale on the basis of a 17O NMR study.Ce travail de modélisation représente l'une des premières tentatives d'exploitation de la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité et de l'analyse topologique de la densité électronique pour rendre compte des processus de diffusion à l'échelle atomique dans les oxydes conducteurs ioniques. La méthodologie développée permet d'accéder aux différents facteurs susceptibles de régir le phénomène de transport de matière : effets de contrainte stérique (locale et à l'échelle de la maille du réseau), polarisabilité des espèces atomiques, transferts de charge, relaxation autour des défauts ponctuels, liaison chimique, .... Cette approche a été appliquée à l'étude du transport de l'ion oxygène dans différents électrolytes solides modèles (cérine et thorine) et dans le conducteur mixte La2NiO4+d. Au delà du cadre théorique, une approche expérimentale de ce processus à l'échelle microscopique a été initiée sur la base d'une étude par RMN de l' 17O

Application de la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité à la modélisation de la diffusion de l'ion oxygène dans des électrolytes solides modèles et des conducteurs mixtes

Ce travail de modélisation représente l'une des premières tentatives d'exploitation de la Théorie de la Fonctionnelle de la Densité et de l'analyse topologique de la densité électronique pour rendre compte des procéssus de diffusion à l'échelle atomique dans les oxydes conducteurs ioniques. La méthodologie développée permet d'accéder aux différents facteurs susceptibles de régir le phénomène de transport de matière : effets de contrainte stérique (locale et à l'échelle de la maille du réseau), polarisabilité des espèces atomiques, transferts de charge, relaxation autour des défauts ponctuels, liaison chimique,...Cette approche a été appliquée à l'étude du transport de l'ion oxygène dans différents électrolytes solides modèles (cétrine et thorine) et dans le conducteur mixte La2NiO4+delta. Au delà du cadre théorique, une approche expérimentale de ce processus à l'échelle microscopique a été initiée sur la base d'une étude par RMN de l'17O.This modeling work constitutes one of the first attempts of exploitation of both Density Functional Theory and topological analysis of the electron density in order to account for diffusion phenomena in oxide ionic conductors at the microscopic scale. The as developed methodology enables to het the different factors likely to govern atomic transport process : steric constraint effects (locally and at he lattice parameter scale), atoms polarizability, charge transfers, relaxation in the vicinity of the point defects, chemical bonding,...This approach has been applied to the study of oxygen transport in different model solid electrolytes (ceria and thoria) and in the mixed conductor La2NiO4+delta. Behond theoritical considerations this thesis has enabled to initiate an experimental approach of this process at the microscopic scale on the basis of a 17O NMR studyBORDEAUX1-BU Sciences-Talence (335222101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Seeking for Optimal Excited States in Photoinduced Electron-Transfer Processes─The Case Study of Brooker’s Merocyanine

Material design enters an era in which control of electrons in atoms, molecules, and materials is an essential property to be predicted and thoroughly understood in view of discovering new compounds with properties optimized toward specific optical/optoelectronic applications. π-electronic delocalization and charge separation/recombination enter notably into the set of features that are highly desirable to tailor. Diverse domains are particularly relying on photoinduced electron-transfer (PET), including fields of paramount importance such as energy production through light-harvesting, efficient chemoreceptive sensors, or organic field-effect transistors. In view of completing the arsenal of strategies in this area, we selected Brooker’s merocyanine─a typical [D−π–A] compound─as the case study and examined from time-dependent density functional theory the opportunity offered by selected excited states to reach a suited manipulation of the charge transfer (CT) extent. In addition to the consideration of diagnostic tools able to spot the charge amount (i.e., magnitude of electron fraction) transferred upon excitation (qCT), the spatial extent associated with such an electronic transition or CT length (DCT), as well as the corresponding variation in dipole moment between the ground and the excited states (μCT), further analysis of the excitation process was undertaken. The advantage of going beyond the above-mentioned molecular indicators─which can be considered as PET global indices─was explored on the basis of a partitioning of the electron density. Relevant insight was gained on the relation these global indices have with the evolution of (local) features characterizing either chemical bond or electron delocalization upon vertical excitations

Playing with isomerism and N substitution in pentalenedione derivatives for organic electrode batteries: how high are the stakes?

International audienceNew concepts to design innovating and top-performing redox-active organic molecules based electrodes should push forward and promote an eco-friendly alternative to classical Li-ion batteries. In this promising research area, density functional theory calculations lend support to experiments through the prediction of redox voltage and give promise to rationalize the trends, thus providing a general approach for engineering advanced materials. In this study in which we analysed spin density/net atomic charges distribution along with global energy decomposition thanks to Bader's partitioning of the molecular space, a vision for designing pentalenedione derivatives by fine tuning of the redox potential properties is presented. The concept relies on combined effects of isomerism and N single/double substitution for CH on the parent backbone. Such dual nature modification is able to provide a series of compounds within the range of 2.2-3.6 V vs. Li+/Li (against a more restricted range of 2.2-2.8 V vs. Li+/Li for the sole effect of isomerism on the unsubstituted parent compounds). The incidence of double N substitution alone generally follows an almost additive rule based on the combined actions of the composing single N substitutions. Few exceptions to the rule were, however, also observed and rationalized. Beyond learning gained for this peculiar family, these results may have exciting implications for future design strategies

Atomic Group Decomposition of Charge Transfer Excitation Global Indexes.

International audienceA model for decomposing the Le Bahers, Adamo, and Ciofini Charge Transfer (CT) Excitations global indexes ( J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2011, 7, 2498-2506) into molecular subdomains contributions is presented and a software, DOCTRINE (atomic group Decomposition Of the Charge TRansfer INdExes) for the implementation of this novel model has been coded. Although our method applies to any fuzzy or to any disjoint exhaustive partitioning of the real space, it is here applied using a definition of chemically relevant molecular subdomains based on the Atoms in Molecules Bader basins. This choice has the relevant advantage of associating intra or inter subdomain contributions to rigorously defined quantum objects, yet bearing a clear chemical meaning. Our method allows for a quantitative evaluation of the subdomain contributions to the charge transfer, the charge transfer excitation length and the dipole moment change upon excitation. All these global indexes may be obtained either from the electron density increment or the electron density depletion upon excitation. However, the subdomain contributions obtained from the two distributions generally differ, therefore allowing to distinguish whether the contribution to a given property of a given subdomain is dominated by one of the two distributions or if both are playing a significant role. As a toy system for the first application of our model, a typical [D-π-A, π = conjugated bridge] compound belonging to the merocyanine dyes family is selected, and the first four excited states of this compound in a strongly polar protic solvent and in a weakly polar solvent are thoroughly investigated

Electronic structure and energy decomposition analyses as a tool to interpret the redox potential ranking of naphtho-, biphenyl- and biphenylenequinone isomers

International audienceBy calling on modelling approaches we have performed a comparative study on the redox properties of various naphtho-, biphenyl- and biphenylene-quinone isomers. These different compounds exhibit as a whole a redox potential range between 2.09 and 2.90 V vs. Li+/Li. A specific methodology was used to decrypt the interplay among isomerism, aromaticity and antiaromaticity modifications and the stabilization/destabilization effects due to other molecular components on this key electrochemical feature for electrode materials of batteries. In particular, energy decomposition analysis, within the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules, along with the electron and electron spin population changes upon reduction nicely rationalise the observed potential trends. While 1,2- and 2,3-isomers show the highest/lowest redox potential in the biphenylene-quinone series, a reverse trend is observed for the naphtho-quinone, the compound having the two carbonyl groups on distinct rings being characterized by an intermediate value in both cases. There is instead almost no differentiation between 1,2 and 2,3 isomers for the biphenyl-quinone family

A tool for deciphering the redox potential ranking of organic compounds: the case study of biomass extracted quinones for sustainable energy

International audiencePlease note that technical editing may introduce minor changes to the text and/or graphics, which may alter content. The journal's standard Terms & Conditions and the Ethical guidelines still apply. In no event shall the Royal Society of Chemistry be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this Accepted Manuscript or any consequences arising from the use of any information it contains

Titanium dissolution-passivation in highly chloridic and oxygenated aqueous solutions

The principal objective of this paper is to show that we developed an experimental setup and a dissolution-passivation monitoring technique for use in super critical water oxidation (SCWO) conditions..