Regularized second-order correlation methods for extended systems

Second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) constitutes the simplest form of many-body wavefunction theory and often provides a good compromise between efficiency and accuracy. There are, however, well-known limitations to this approach. In particular, MP2 is known to fail or diverge for some prototypical condensed matter systems like the homogeneous electron gas (HEG) and to overestimate dispersion-driven interactions in strongly polarizable systems. In this paper, we explore how the issues of MP2 for metallic, polarizable, and strongly correlated periodic systems can be ameliorated through regularization. To this end, two regularized second-order methods (including a new, size-extensive Brillouin–Wigner approach) are applied to the HEG, the one-dimensional Hubbard model, and the graphene–water interaction. We find that regularization consistently leads to improvements over the MP2 baseline and that different regularizers are appropriate for the various systems

The electronic structure of Amorphous Carbon Nanodots

We have studied hydrogen-passivated amorphous carbon nanostructures with semiempirical molecular orbital theory in order to provide an understanding of the factors that affect their electronic properties. Amorphous structures were first constructed using periodic calculations in a melt/quench protocol. Pure periodic amorphous carbon structures and their counterparts doped with nitrogen and/or oxygen feature large electronic band gaps. Surprisingly, descriptors such as the elemental composition and the number of sp³-atoms only influence the electronic structure weakly. Instead, the exact topology of the sp²-network in terms of effective conjugation defines the band gap. Amorphous carbon nanodots of different structures and sizes were cut out of the periodic structures. Our calculations predict the occurrence of localized electronic surface states, which give rise to interesting effects such as amphoteric reactivity and predicted optical band gaps in the near-UV/visible range. Optical and electronic gaps display a dependence on particle size similar to that of inorganic colloidal quantum dots

Feasibility of Obtaining Surface Layer Moisture Flux Using an IR Thermometer

This paper evaluates the feasibility of a method using a single hand-held infrared (IR) thermometer and a mini tower of wet and dry paper towels to psychometrically obtain surface layer temperature and moisture gradients and fluxes. Sling Psychrometers have long been standard measuring devices for quantifying the thermodynamics of near-surface atmospheric gas–vapor mixtures, specifically moisture parameters. However, these devices are generally only used to measure temperature and humidity at one near-surface level. Multiple self-aspirating psychrometers can be used in a vertical configuration to measure temperature and moisture gradients and fluxes in the first 1–2 m of the surface layer. This study explores a way to make multiple vertical psychrometric measurements with a single non-contact IR temperature sensor rather than using two in situ thermometers at each level. The surface layer dry- and wet-bulb temperatures obtained using an IR Thermometer are compared to Kestrel 4000 Weather Meter and Bacharach Sling Psychrometer measurements under various atmospheric conditions and surface types to test the viability of the method. To evaluate the results obtained using this new approach, standard meteorological surface data are collected during each experiment, and moisture parameters are derived via psychrometric equations. The results indicate that, not only is the method possible and practical, but they suggest that the IR Thermometer method may provide more surface layer temperature and moisture gradient and flux sensitivity than other single instrument methods

Single-Reference Coupled Cluster Theory for Multi-Reference Problems

Coupled cluster (CC) theory is widely accepted as the most accurate and generally applicable approach in quantum chemistry. CC calculations are usually performed with single Slater-determinant references, e.g., canonical Hartree-Fock (HF) wavefunctions, though any single determinant can be used. This is an attractive feature because typical CC calculations are straightforward to apply, as there is no potentially ambiguous user input required. On the other hand, there can be concern that CC approximations give unreliable results when the reference determinant provides a poor description of the system of interest, i.e., when the HF or any other single determinant ground state has a relatively low weight in the full CI expansion. However, in many cases, the reported “failures” of CC can be attributed to an unfortunate choice of reference determinant, rather than intrinsic shortcomings of CC itself. This is connected to well-known effects like spin-contamination, wavefunction instability, and symmetry-breaking. In this contribution, a particularly difficult singlet/triplet splitting problem in two phenyldinitrene molecules is investigated, where CC with singles, doubles and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] was reported to give poor results. This is analyzed by using different reference determinants for CCSD(T), as well as performing higher level CCSDT-3 and CCSDT calculations. We show that doubly electron attached and doubly ionized equation-of-motion (DEA/DIP-EOM) approaches are powerful alternatives for treating such systems. These are operationally single-determinant methods that adequately take the multi-reference nature of these molecules into account. Our results indicate that CC remains a powerful tool for describing systems with both static correlation and dynamic correlation, when pitfalls associated with the choice of the reference determinant are avoided

Integrating metalloporphycenes into p-type NiO-based dye-sensitized solar cells

In the current work, we have explored a novel synthetic route towards metalated porphycenes and their use in p-type NiO-based dye-sensitized solar cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence that the relative positioning of the anchoring group exerts on the DSSC performance

Carbon Nanodots for Charge-Transfer Processes

In recent years, carbon nanodots (CNDs) have emerged as an environmentally friendly, biocompatible, and inexpensive class of material, whose features sparked interest for a wide range of applications. Most notable is their photoactivity, as exemplified by their strong luminescence. Consequently, CNDs are currently being investigated as active components in photocatalysis, sensing, and optoelectronics. Chargetransfer interactions are common to all these areas. It is therefore essential to be able to fine-tune both the electronic structure of CNDs and the electronic communication in CND-based functional materials. The complex, but not completely deciphered, structure of CNDs necessitates, however, a multifaceted strategy to investigate their fundamental electronic structure and to establish structure−property relationships. Such investigations require a combination of spectroscopic methods, such as ultrafast transient absorption and fluorescence up-conversion techniques, electrochemistry, and modeling of CNDs, both in the absence and presence of other photoactive materials. Only a sound understanding of the dynamics of charge transfer, charge shift, charge transport, etc., with and without light makes much-needed improvements in, for example, photocatalytic processes, in which CNDs are used as either photosensitizers or catalytic centers, possible. This Account addresses the structural, photophysical, and electrochemical properties of CNDs, in general, and the chargetransfer chemistry of CNDs, in particular. Pressure-synthesized CNDs (pCNDs), for which citric acid and urea are used as inexpensive and biobased precursor materials, lie at the center of attention. A simple microwave-assisted thermolytic reaction, performed in sealed vessels, yields pCNDs with a fairly homogeneous size distribution of ∼1−2 nm. The narrow and excitationindependent photoluminescence of pCNDs contrasts with that seen in CNDs synthesized by other techniques, making pCNDs optimal for in-depth physicochemical analyses. The atomistic and electronic structures of CNDs were also analyzed by quantum chemical modeling approaches that led to a range of possible structures, ranging from heavily functionalized, graphene-like structures to disordered amorphous particles containing small sp2 domains. Both the electron-accepting and -donating performances of CNDs make the charge-transfer chemistry of CNDs rather versatile. Both covalent and noncovalent synthetic approaches have been explored, resulting in architectures of various sizes. CNDs, for example, have been combined with molecular materials ranging from electron-donating porphyrins and extended tetrathiafulvalenes to electron-accepting perylendiimides, or nanocarbon materials such as polymer-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes. In every case, charge-separated states formed as part of the reaction cascades initiated by photoexcitation. Charge-transfer assemblies including CNDs have also played a role in technological applications: for example, a proof-ofconcept dye-sensitized solar cell was designed and tested, in which CNDs were adsorbed on the surface of mesoporous anatase TiO2. The wide range of reported electron-donor−acceptor systems documents the versatility of CNDs as molecular building blocks, whose electronic properties are tunable for the needs of emerging technologies.Fil: Cadranel, Alejandro. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Química, Física de los Materiales, Medioambiente y Energía; ArgentinaFil: Margraf, Johannes T.. Technische Universitat München; AlemaniaFil: Strauss, Volker. No especifíca;Fil: Clark, Timothy. Universitat Erlangen-Nuremberg; AlemaniaFil: Guldi, Dirk M.. Universitat Erlangen-Nuremberg; Alemani