Fuel cells represent a promising technology for clean power generation because they convert chemical energy (fuel) into electrical energy with high efficiency and low-to-none emission of pollutants. Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have several advantages compared to the most studied hydrogen and methanol fuel cells. First and foremost, ethanol is a non-toxic liquid, which lowers the investment of handling facilities because the current infrastructure for gasoline can be largely used. Second, ethanol can be conveniently produced from biomass, hence is carbon neutral which mitigates increasing atmospheric CO2. Last but not least, if completely oxidized to CO2, ethanol has a higher energy density than methanol since it can deliver 12 electrons per molecule. The almost exclusive oxidation to acetic acid overshadows the attractiveness of DEFCs considerably, as the energy density is divided by 3. The standard potential of acetic acid formation indicates that a reaction path including acetic acid, leads to inevitable potential losses of about 0.4 V (difference between ideal potential for CO2 and acetic acid "production"). The development of alkaline DEFCs had also been hampered by the lack of stable and efficient anion exchange membranes. Fortunately, this challenge has been well tackled in recent years,8,9 making the development of alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) which are of particular technological interest due to their simple designs and ability to operate at low temperatures (25-100 °C). In alkaline conditions, the kinetic of both the cathodic oxygen reduction and the anodic ethanol oxidation is facilitated. Furthermore, the expensive Pt catalyst can be replaced by the lower-cost and more active transition metals such as Pd. The main objectives of this project are: i) to provide detailed fundamental understanding of ethanol oxidation reaction on transition metal surfaces in alkaline media, ii) to propose the best rational catalyst design strategies to cleave the C–C bond during ethanol electrooxidation. To achieve these goals two methodologies are used, i.e., in-situ identification of ethanol electrooxidation products using polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and mechanistic investigation using computational studies in the framework of density functional theory (DFT). The PM-IRRAS technique was advanced in this project to the level of distinguishing electrooxidation products at the surface of the nanoparticles (electrode) and in the bulk-phase of the electrolyte. This new PM-IRRAS utility makes it possible to detect molecules such as CO2 which desorbs from the catalyst surface as soon as they are formed. The DFT insights in this project, provides an explanation as to why it is difficult to break the C–C bond in ethanol and is used for screening the top candidate metals for further studies.

The focus of this thesis is on C-O bonds activation by transition metal atoms. Lignin is a potential alternative energy resource, but currently is an underused biomass species because of its highly branched structure. To aid in better understanding this species, the oxidative cleavage of the Cβ-O bond in an archetypal arylglycerol β-aryl ether (β–O–4 Linkage) model compound of lignin with late 3d, 4d, and 5d metals was investigated. Methoxyethane was utilized as a model molecule to study the activation of the C-O bond. Binding enthalpies (ΔHb), enthalpy formations (ΔH) and activation enthalpies (ΔH‡) have been studied at 298K to learn the energetic properties in the C-O bond cleavage in methoxyethane. Density functional theory (DFT) has become a common choice for the transition metal containing systems. It is important to select suitable functionals for the target reactions, especially for systems with degeneracies that lead to static correlation effects. A set of 26 density functionals including eight GGA, six meta-GGA, six hybrid-GGA, and six hybrid-meta-GGA were applied in order to investigate the performance of different types of density functionals for transition metal catalyzed C-O bond cleavage. A CR-CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ was used to calibrate the performance of different density functionals.

This thesis has been focused around the Diels Alder reaction with the goal to design an enzyme catalyzed reaction pathway. To achieve this goal computer aided enzyme design was utilized. Common traditional methods of computational chemistry (B3LYP, MP2) do not do well when calculating reaction barriers or even reaction energies for the Diels Alder reaction. New calcu- lation methods were developed and tested. This was the focus of the first part of the thesis, by choosing a small system, extensive and heavy calculations could be done with CBS-QB3. Then by benchmarking faster methods of calculation (SCS-MP2, M06-2X) against the results, they could be graded by efficiency and cost. This was done anticipating that the same accuracy could be applied to larger systems where CBS-QB3 cannot be used. In the second part activating groups were investigated for both the diene and the dienophile, along with their effects on reaction rates. A qualitative analysis was done. This is important not only for the uncatalyzed reaction, but also interesting when searching for possible substrates for the enzyme reaction. In the last part the thesis presents a designed enzyme that catalyzes Diels Alder in silico using ∆5−3−Keto steroid isomerase. Using empirical calculations, the enzyme was scanned for catalytic activity. The catalytic effect was then showed with ab initio Quantum chemical calculations.

Many zeolites are deployed in various industrial processes owing to their robust catalytic performance and hydrothermal stability. Reactions in zeolites are catalyzed via framework aluminum. The Si/Al ratio is a metric that describes the relative aluminum content in zeolites. However, several researchers noted that the proximity of aluminum in the framework could impact the catalyst output [1–3]. In this work, the influence of paired acid sites is examined in ZSM-22. The 1-dimensional nature of ZSM-22 allows for direct assessment of aluminum proximity without the influence of channel intersection. Theoretical investigations via static density functional theory (DFT) optimization calculations on isolated and paired BAS in ZSM-22 revealed a potential increase in deprotonation potential energy (DPE), indicating a weaker acid with closer aluminum sites. One specific paired model, however, suggested stronger acid behavior, likely due to unfavorable proton-proton interactions influenced by proximity and orientation. Additionally, ammonia adsorption calculations inferred improved adsorption by isolated models, possibly due to unfavorable ammonium-proton interactions in the paired models. Reaction state calculations of ethylene and propylene oligomerization suggested enhanced stabilization of reactant molecules in paired sites. The synthesis of ZSM-22 showed sensitivity to precursor ratios and conditions, but pure samples were successfully achieved through iterative optimization. Catalytic testing of ethylene oligomerization with these samples, classified by their Si/Al ratios and unique fractions of paired acid sites, showed a correlation between higher fractions of paired BAS and increased catalytic activity and selectivity. Samples with higher fractions of paired BAS displayed a higher activity and selectivity for heavier hydrocarbons, explained by the enhanced adsorption capacity of paired BAS for larger reactant molecules, prompting further oligomerization and enhanced catalytic activity. Our findings demonstrate the impact of BAS proximity in dictating the activity and selectivity in ZSM-22 and provide valuable insights for designing more efficient industrial zeolite-based catalysts.

In this thesis, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Dynamical Mean-Field Theory (DMFT) approaches are applied to study the magnetic properties of transition metal nanosystems of different sizes and compositions. In particular, in order to take into account dynamical electron correlation effects (time-resolved local charge interactions), we have adopted the DFT+DMFT formalism and made it suitable for application to nanostructures. Preliminary application of this DFT+DMFT approach, using available codes, to study the magnetic properties of small (2 to 5-atom) Fe and FePt clusters provide meaningful results: dynamical effects lead to a reduction of the cluster magnetic moment as compared to that obtained from DFT or DFT+U (U being the Coulomb repulsion parameter). We have subsequently developed our own nanoDFT+DMFT code and applied it to examine the magnetization of iron particles containing10-147 atoms. Our results for the cluster magnetic moments are in a good agreement with experimental data. In particular, we are able to reproduce the oscillations in magnetic moment with size as observed in the experiments. Also, DFT+DMFT does not lead to an overestimation of magnetization for the clusters in the size range of 10-27 atoms found with DFT and DFT+U. On application of the nanoDFT+DMFT approach to systems with mixed geometry – Fe2O3 film, which are periodic (infinitely extended), in two directions, and finite in the third. Similar to DFT+U, we find that the surface atom magnetic moments are smaller compared to the bulk. However, the absolute values of the surface atoms magnetic moments are smaller in DFT+DMFT. In parallel, we have carried out a systematic study of magnetic anisotropy in bimetallic L10 FePt nanoparticles (20-484 atoms) by using two DFT-based approaches: direct and the torque method. We find that the magnetocrystalline anisotropy (MCA) of FePt clusters is larger than that of the pure Fe and Pt ones. We explain this effect by a large hybridization of 3d Fe- and 5d Pt-atom orbitals, which lead to enhancement of the magnetic moment of the Pt atom, and hence to a larger magnetic anisotropy because of large spin-orbit coupling of Pt atoms. In addition, we find that particles whose (large) central layer consists of Pt atoms, rather than Fe, have larger MCA due to stronger hybridization effects. Such 'protected' MCA, which does not require protective cladding, can be used in modern magnetic technologies.

No description available.

Yes / Materials-binding peptides offer promising routes to the production of tailored Pd nanomaterials in aqueous media, enabling the optimization of catalytic properties. However, the atomic-scale details needed to make these advances are relatively scarce and challenging to obtain. Molecular simulations can provide key insights into the structure of peptides adsorbed at the aqueous Pd interface, provided that the force-field can appropriately capture the relevant bio-interface interactions. Here, we introduce and apply a new polarizable force field, PdP-CHARMM, for the simulation of biomolecule–Pd binding under aqueous conditions. PdP-CHARMM was parametrized with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, using a process compatible with similar polarizable force-fields created for Ag and Au surfaces, ultimately enabling a direct comparison of peptide binding modes across these metal substrates. As part of our process for developing PdP-CHARMM, we provide an extensive study of the performance of ten different dispersion-inclusive DFT functionals in recovering biomolecule–Pd(111) binding. We use the functional with best all-round performance to create PdP-CHARMM.We then employ PdP-CHARMM and metadynamics simulations to estimate the adsorption free energy for a range of amino acids at the aqueous Pd(111) interface. Our findings suggest that only His and Met favor direct contact with the Pd substrate, which we attribute to a remarkably robust interfacial solvation layering. Replica-exchange with solute tempering molecular dynamics simulations of two experimentally-identified Pd-binding peptides also indicate surface contact to be chiefly mediated by His and Met residues at aqueous Pd(111). Adsorption of these two peptides was also predicted for the Au(111) interface, revealing distinct differences in both the solvation structure and modes of peptide adsorption at the Au and Pd interfaces. We propose that this sharp contrast in peptide binding is largely due to the differences in interfacial solvent structuring. / Air Force Office for Scientfi c Research (Grant #FA9550-12-1-0226)

Yes / The density functional theory (DFT) based a unique model has been developed to predict the toxicity of ionic liquids using structural-feature based quantum chemical reactivity descriptors. Electrophilic indices (ω), the energy of highest occupied (EHOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, (ELUMO) and energy gap (∆ E) were selected as the best toxicity descriptors of ILs via Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. The principle components analysis (PCA) demonstrated the distribution and inter-relation of descriptors of the model. A multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis on selected descriptors derived the model equation for toxicity prediction of ionic liquids. The model predicted toxicity values and mechanism are very consistent with observed toxicity. Cationic and side chains length effect are pronounced to the toxicity of ILs. The model will provide an economic screening method to predict the toxicity of a wide range of ionic liquids and their toxicity mechanism.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / O grafeno à atualmente o tÃpico mais corrente em fÃsica da materia condensada e ciÃncia dos materiais e foi isolado pela primeira vez a menos de quatro anos. O grafeno tem sido proposto como um material alternativo aos nanotubos de carbono em diversas aplicaÃÃes, devido a sua fÃcil sintetizaÃÃo e seu baixo custo. A fim de explorar uma potencial aplicaÃÃo dessas nanoestruturas em dispositivos eletrÃnicos, atravÃs de cÃlculos de primeiros princÃpios baseados na teoria do funcional da densidade, estudamos a interaÃÃo entre uma superfÃcie de grafeno e Ãtomos alcalinos (Li, Na e K) e halogÃnios (Cl, I e I2). Verificamos que a adsorÃÃo desses Ãtomos na superfÃcie do grafeno provoca significativas modificaÃÃes na estrutura eletrÃnica do grafeno. Observamos uma grande transferÃncia de carga entre os Ãtomos alcalinos (halogÃnios) e a superfÃcie do grafeno. Essas transferÃncias foram da ordem de 0,65-0,85 e- dos Ãtomos alcalinos para o grafeno e 0,37 (0,27) e- do grafeno para o Ãtomo de cloro (iodo). Os metais alcalinos apresentaram uma maior estabilidade sobre o centro de um hexÃgono do grafeno, tendo energias de ligaÃÃo entre -1,47 e -1,03 eV, onde a ordem de intensidade à dada por Li > K > Na. Essa predisposiÃÃo por um sÃtio especÃfico nÃo foi observada para os dois halogÃnios estudados. O Ãtomo de cloro apresentou uma maior estabilidade quando adsorvido sobre um Ãtomo da superfÃcie do grafeno, com energia de ligaÃÃo da ordem de 0,98 eV, no entanto, isso nÃo foi visto no caso do Ãtomo de iodo onde energias de ligaÃÃo equivalentes para todos os sÃtios estudados foram encontradas da ordem de 0,42 eV. A molÃcula I2 tambÃm nÃo apresentou uma predileÃÃo por uma sitio especÃfico da superfÃcie do grafeno, mas mostrou-se mais estÃvel quando adsorvida com seu eixo perpendicular ao plano do grafeno. / Graphene is currently the hottest topic in condensed-matter physics and materials science and was isolated less than four years ago. Graphene layers have been proposed as alternative materials for replacing carbon nanotubes in some applications, due to its easy synthesis and low costs. In order to explore potential applications of those nanostructures in electronic devices, through first principles based on the density functional theory, we studied the interaction between graphene surface and alkaline (Li, Na and K) and halogens (Cl, I and I$_2$ ) atoms. We verified that the adsorption of these atoms on the graphene surface cause significant modifications in the graphene electronic structure. We observed a large charge transfer between the alkaline (halogens) atoms and graphene surface. These charge transfers were found to be 0,65 - 0,85 e- from the alkaline atoms to graphene and 0,37 (0,27) e- from the graphene to chlorine (iodine) atoms. The alkaline atoms presented a larger stability on the center of one of the graphene hexagons, presenting binding energy in the range -1, 47 and -1, 03 eV, where the order of intensity is given by Li > K > Na. This predisposition for a specific site was not observed for the twostudied halogens. The chlorine atom present the larger stability when adsorbed on a top atom of the graphene surface with binding energy about 0, 98 eV, however this behavior was not be seen in the iodine atom case where equivalent binding energies for all the studied sites were found to be about 0,42 eV. The I2 molecule also does not present predilection for a specific site on the graphene surface, however it showed more stable when adsorbed with its axis perpendicular to the graphene surface plane.

High fossil fuel consumption in transportation and industry results in an increase of the emission of green-house gases. To preserve clean air, new strategies are required. The main intention is to decrease the amount of CO2 emission by using lean-burn engines while increasing the combustion efficiency and decreasing the fuel consumption. However, the lean-burn engines have high air-to-fuel ratio which complicates the reduction of the oxides of nitrogen, NOx . The emission of these highly noxious pollutants, NOx , breeds both environmental and health problems. Thus, new catalytic strategies have been steadily developed. One of these strategies is the NOx storage and reduction (NSR) catalysts. Since the reduction of the NOx under excess oxygen condition is very difficult, the NSR catalysts store the NOx until the end of the lean phase that is subsequently alternated with the rich-fuel phase during which the trapped NOx is released and reduced. To develop NSR technology, different storage materials, the coverage of these metals/metal-oxides, support materials, precious metals, temperature, etc. have been widely investigated. In this thesis, the (100) surface of BaO with dopants (K, Na, Ca and La), (100) and (110) surfaces of Li2O, Na2O and K2O are investigated as storage materials. In addition, alkali metal (Li, Na and K) loaded (001) surface of TiO2 (titania) anatase is investigated as a support material for the NOx storage and reduction catalysts. The main aim is to increase the sulfur resistance. The introduction of the dopants on the BaO (100) surface has increased the stability of the NO2 . The combination of local lattice strain and different oxidation state, which is obtained by the La doped BaO (100) surface, benefit both NO2 adsorption performance and sulfur tolerance. The binding energies of NO2 adsorption configurations over the alkali metal oxide (100) and (110) surfaces were higher than the binding energies of SO2 adsorption configurations. The stability of all of NO2 adsorption geometries on the alkali metal-loaded TiO2 (001) surface were higher than the stability of SO2 adsorption geometries. Increasing basicity enhanced the adsorption of NO2 molecule.