Pub Date : 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00391
Sheng-Jie Qian,Jun Li,Yang-Gang Wang
Over the past few decades, the field of electrochemistry has witnessed rapid advances in computational methods. This review highlights recent methodological progress in computational electrocatalysis, with a specific focus on the accurate prediction of electrochemical reaction kinetics. Particular emphasis is placed on our group's contributions using single-atom catalysts as model systems to quantitatively simulate the kinetics of energy-relevant small-molecule electrocatalytic reactions. By simultaneously capturing atomic-scale interfacial phenomena in the electric double layer, such as cation effects, explicit solvation structures, proton transfer dynamics, and potential distribution, our approach bridges the gap between idealized models and realistic electrochemical environments and predicts experimental observables, such as current density-potential curves and coverages. The current framework has also revealed previously inaccessible kinetic insights, including hydrogen-bond-mediated intermediate reorganization and its impact on transition states, and potential-driven solvent reorganization that dictates proton transfer kinetics. These advances provide both fundamental kinetic insights into electrocatalytic mechanisms and practical design principles for energy conversion catalysts.
{"title":"Advances in Computational Electrocatalysis: Modeling Reaction Kinetics in Realistic Electrochemical Environments.","authors":"Sheng-Jie Qian,Jun Li,Yang-Gang Wang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00391","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00391","url":null,"abstract":"Over the past few decades, the field of electrochemistry has witnessed rapid advances in computational methods. This review highlights recent methodological progress in computational electrocatalysis, with a specific focus on the accurate prediction of electrochemical reaction kinetics. Particular emphasis is placed on our group's contributions using single-atom catalysts as model systems to quantitatively simulate the kinetics of energy-relevant small-molecule electrocatalytic reactions. By simultaneously capturing atomic-scale interfacial phenomena in the electric double layer, such as cation effects, explicit solvation structures, proton transfer dynamics, and potential distribution, our approach bridges the gap between idealized models and realistic electrochemical environments and predicts experimental observables, such as current density-potential curves and coverages. The current framework has also revealed previously inaccessible kinetic insights, including hydrogen-bond-mediated intermediate reorganization and its impact on transition states, and potential-driven solvent reorganization that dictates proton transfer kinetics. These advances provide both fundamental kinetic insights into electrocatalytic mechanisms and practical design principles for energy conversion catalysts.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00296
Gustavo E. Massaccesi, Ofelia B. Oña, Luis Lain, Alicia Torre, Juan E. Peralta, Diego R. Alcoba, Gustavo E. Scuseria
Reduced density matrices are central to describing observables in many-body quantum systems. In electronic structure theory, the two-particle reduced density matrix (2-RDM) suffices to determine the energy and other key properties. Recent work has used matrix completion, leveraging the low-rank structure of RDMs and approximate theoretical models, to reconstruct the 2-RDM from partial data and thus reduce the computational cost. However, matrix completion is, in general, an under-determined problem. Revisiting Rosina’s theorem (Rosina, M.Queen’s Papers on Pure and Applied Mathematics, 1968, No. 11, 369), we here show that the matrix completion is unique under certain conditions, identifying the subset of 2-RDM elements that enables its exact reconstruction from incomplete information. Building on this, we introduce a hybrid quantum–stochastic algorithm that achieves exact matrix completion, demonstrated through applications to the Fermi–Hubbard model.
简化密度矩阵是描述多体量子系统中可观测物的核心。在电子结构理论中,两粒子约简密度矩阵(2-RDM)足以决定能量和其他关键性质。最近的工作使用矩阵补全,利用rdm的低秩结构和近似理论模型,从部分数据重建2-RDM,从而降低计算成本。然而,矩阵补全通常是一个待定问题。回顾Rosina定理(Rosina, M. Queen 's Papers on Pure and Applied Mathematics, 1968, No. 11, 369),我们在这里证明了矩阵补全在某些条件下是唯一的,确定了2-RDM元素的子集,使其能够从不完全信息中精确重建。在此基础上,我们引入了一种混合量子随机算法,该算法可以实现精确的矩阵补全,并通过Fermi-Hubbard模型的应用进行了演示。
{"title":"Is the Matrix Completion of Reduced Density Matrices Unique?","authors":"Gustavo E. Massaccesi, Ofelia B. Oña, Luis Lain, Alicia Torre, Juan E. Peralta, Diego R. Alcoba, Gustavo E. Scuseria","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00296","url":null,"abstract":"Reduced density matrices are central to describing observables in many-body quantum systems. In electronic structure theory, the two-particle reduced density matrix (2-RDM) suffices to determine the energy and other key properties. Recent work has used matrix completion, leveraging the low-rank structure of RDMs and approximate theoretical models, to reconstruct the 2-RDM from partial data and thus reduce the computational cost. However, matrix completion is, in general, an under-determined problem. Revisiting Rosina’s theorem (<contrib-group person-group-type=\"allauthors\"><span>Rosina, M.</span></contrib-group> <cite><i>Queen’s Papers on Pure and Applied Mathematics</i></cite>, <span>1968</span>, No. 11, 369), we here show that the matrix completion is unique under certain conditions, identifying the subset of 2-RDM elements that enables its exact reconstruction from incomplete information. Building on this, we introduce a hybrid quantum–stochastic algorithm that achieves exact matrix completion, demonstrated through applications to the Fermi–Hubbard model.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"63 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147440402","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00149
Vivek N Bhat,Karandeep Singh,Rittika Dey,Arindam Ghosh,Satish Patil,Vivek Tiwari
Enhancing the electrical conductivity of organic semiconductors at low dopant concentrations while preserving morphology remains a critical challenge for solution-processed optoelectronic devices. We show that tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)-based dopants increase the conductivity of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films to >0.01 S/cm at concentrations as low as 3 wt %, over 2 orders of magnitude higher than barely conducting neat films. The comparable performance of TCNQ relative to the higher electron-affinity dopant F4TCNQ demonstrates that transport is not dictated solely by dopant electron affinity but also influenced by the subtle interplay between dopant-induced structural disorder and ionized polymer-dopant Coulomb interactions. Two-dimensional electronic and pump-probe spectroscopies reveal uniform film morphology with no preferential doping in the crystalline domains, absence of strongly bound ion-pairs, and rapid polaron pair formation with exciton quenching. The results suggest that polaron-induced backbone planarization extends intrachain hole delocalization, thereby enhancing π-π overlap and interchain electronic coupling within crystalline domains.
{"title":"Dopant Induced Interchain Interactions Enhance Polythiophene Electrical Conductivity at Low Dopant Concentrations.","authors":"Vivek N Bhat,Karandeep Singh,Rittika Dey,Arindam Ghosh,Satish Patil,Vivek Tiwari","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00149","url":null,"abstract":"Enhancing the electrical conductivity of organic semiconductors at low dopant concentrations while preserving morphology remains a critical challenge for solution-processed optoelectronic devices. We show that tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ)-based dopants increase the conductivity of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films to >0.01 S/cm at concentrations as low as 3 wt %, over 2 orders of magnitude higher than barely conducting neat films. The comparable performance of TCNQ relative to the higher electron-affinity dopant F4TCNQ demonstrates that transport is not dictated solely by dopant electron affinity but also influenced by the subtle interplay between dopant-induced structural disorder and ionized polymer-dopant Coulomb interactions. Two-dimensional electronic and pump-probe spectroscopies reveal uniform film morphology with no preferential doping in the crystalline domains, absence of strongly bound ion-pairs, and rapid polaron pair formation with exciton quenching. The results suggest that polaron-induced backbone planarization extends intrachain hole delocalization, thereby enhancing π-π overlap and interchain electronic coupling within crystalline domains.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"148 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147446883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00181
Yash H. Patel, Philip S. Weiss, Ilya D. Dergachev, Claudia E. Avalos
Enhanced Intersystem Crossing (EISC) is an important mechanism that allows for formally forbidden population transfer from the singlet to triplet manifold in chromophore-radical (C-R) systems. We use first order perturbation theory to estimate the likelihood of EISC in various organic C-R molecules. The first order mixing coefficient κ between the states involved in EISC depends on the difference in pairwise exchange interactions between photoexcited chromophore electrons and the radical. Exchange coupling constants were calculated with the Heisenberg–Dirac–Van Vleck Hamiltonian using excited state wave functions and energies obtained from the CASSCF/QD-NEVPT2 calculations. The predictions derived using this framework are in a good agreement with the available experimental data on EISC observed with transient absorption spectroscopy.
{"title":"A Qualitative Approach for Predicting Enhanced Intersystem Crossing in Chromophore-Radical Systems","authors":"Yash H. Patel, Philip S. Weiss, Ilya D. Dergachev, Claudia E. Avalos","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00181","url":null,"abstract":"Enhanced Intersystem Crossing (EISC) is an important mechanism that allows for formally forbidden population transfer from the singlet to triplet manifold in chromophore-radical (C-R) systems. We use first order perturbation theory to estimate the likelihood of EISC in various organic C-R molecules. The first order mixing coefficient κ between the states involved in EISC depends on the difference in pairwise exchange interactions between photoexcited chromophore electrons and the radical. Exchange coupling constants were calculated with the Heisenberg–Dirac–Van Vleck Hamiltonian using excited state wave functions and energies obtained from the CASSCF/QD-NEVPT2 calculations. The predictions derived using this framework are in a good agreement with the available experimental data on EISC observed with transient absorption spectroscopy.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147440401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00324
Xue Zhang,Hao Sun,Yuanhua Sun,Xiaokang Liu,Zhaochun Cao,Wei Zhang,Linlin Cao,Tao Yao
Developing active and durable platinum-based catalysts is critical for advancing proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To overcome the Cu dissolution and poor stability of PtCu intermetallics, we propose a Mn-doping strategy to fabricate L10-ordered PtCuMn nanocatalysts. Mn incorporation modulates the Pt electronic structure, enhances L10 ordering, and induces compressive strain within a Pt-rich shell. Consequently, the catalyst demonstrates exceptional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity with a half-wave potential of 0.921 V, a mass activity (MA) of 0.96 A mgPt-1 and a negligible half-wave potential shift after 30 000 cycles. In PEMFCs, it delivers peak power densities of 1.31 W cm-2 (H2-air) and 2.23 W cm-2 (H2-O2). Furthermore, its MA reaches 0.78 A mgPt-1, which exceeds the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 target. Operando characterizations and theoretical calculations confirm that Mn doping downshifts the Pt d-band center, accelerates the conversion kinetics of the key *OH intermediate, and thereby optimizes the ORR performance.
开发活性和耐用的铂基催化剂是推进质子交换膜燃料电池(pemfc)发展的关键。为了克服PtCu金属间化合物Cu溶解和稳定性差的问题,我们提出了一种mn掺杂策略来制备l10有序PtCuMn纳米催化剂。Mn的掺入调节了Pt的电子结构,增强了L10的有序性,并在富Pt的壳层内引起了压缩应变。因此,催化剂表现出优异的氧还原反应(ORR)活性,半波电位为0.921 V,质量活性(MA)为0.96 a mgPt-1, 30 000次循环后半波电位位移可以忽略不计。在pemfc中,它的峰值功率密度为1.31 W cm-2 (H2-air)和2.23 W cm-2 (H2-O2)。此外,其MA达到0.78 A mgPt-1,超过了美国能源部(DOE) 2025年的目标。Operando表征和理论计算证实,Mn掺杂降低了Pt d带中心,加速了键*OH中间体的转化动力学,从而优化了ORR性能。
{"title":"Mn Doping Induced Ordering Transformation and Strain Engineering in a PtCu Alloy for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Catalysis.","authors":"Xue Zhang,Hao Sun,Yuanhua Sun,Xiaokang Liu,Zhaochun Cao,Wei Zhang,Linlin Cao,Tao Yao","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00324","url":null,"abstract":"Developing active and durable platinum-based catalysts is critical for advancing proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To overcome the Cu dissolution and poor stability of PtCu intermetallics, we propose a Mn-doping strategy to fabricate L10-ordered PtCuMn nanocatalysts. Mn incorporation modulates the Pt electronic structure, enhances L10 ordering, and induces compressive strain within a Pt-rich shell. Consequently, the catalyst demonstrates exceptional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity with a half-wave potential of 0.921 V, a mass activity (MA) of 0.96 A mgPt-1 and a negligible half-wave potential shift after 30 000 cycles. In PEMFCs, it delivers peak power densities of 1.31 W cm-2 (H2-air) and 2.23 W cm-2 (H2-O2). Furthermore, its MA reaches 0.78 A mgPt-1, which exceeds the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2025 target. Operando characterizations and theoretical calculations confirm that Mn doping downshifts the Pt d-band center, accelerates the conversion kinetics of the key *OH intermediate, and thereby optimizes the ORR performance.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-13DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c04053
Mingyang Huang,Zhenwang Luo,Hai Wang,Ran Zhao,Xu Wang,Fei Zheng,Zhenfu Zhao,Ziyang Hu
Perovskite memristors hold great promise for neuromorphic computing and bioinspired sensing, yet their development is hindered by high operating voltages, environmental instability, and limited functional integration. Here, we report a robust memristor based on a 3D/2D halide perovskite heterostructure that overcomes these challenges. The device demonstrates ultralow switching voltages of ∼+0.18 V (SET) and ∼-0.4 V (RESET), a high ON/OFF ratio >104, excellent retention (>104 s), and endurance (>600 cycles) under ambient conditions. This performance stems from a synergistic "bandgap staircase and built-in electric field" mechanism at the heterointerface, which enhances field confinement for low-voltage switching while the 2D layer suppresses ion migration. Remarkably, this single platform integrates a complete neuromorphic-sensory functional chain. It emulates synaptic plasticity, achieving 90.77% accuracy in MNIST handwritten digit recognition. It also functions as a physical reservoir for temporal pattern processing, reaching perfect classification accuracy. Furthermore, it serves as an artificial nociceptor that faithfully replicates key pain perceptions such as threshold, nonadaptation, sensitization, and relaxation. With ultralow power consumption of only 36 pJ per switch, this multifunctional memristor provides a versatile hardware prototype for next-generation intelligent systems and adaptive human-machine interfaces.
钙钛矿记忆电阻器在神经形态计算和生物传感方面具有很大的前景,但它们的发展受到高工作电压、环境不稳定和有限的功能集成的阻碍。在这里,我们报告了一种基于3D/2D卤化物钙钛矿异质结构的鲁棒记忆电阻器,克服了这些挑战。该器件具有~ +0.18 V (SET)和~ -0.4 V (RESET)的超低开关电压,高开/关比>04,优异的保持率(>104 s)和在环境条件下的耐久性(>600周期)。这种性能源于异质界面处的协同“带隙阶梯和内置电场”机制,该机制增强了对低压开关的场约束,同时2D层抑制了离子迁移。值得注意的是,这个单一的平台集成了一个完整的神经形态-感觉功能链。它模拟了突触的可塑性,在MNIST手写数字识别中达到了90.77%的准确率。它还可以作为时间模式处理的物理存储库,达到完美的分类精度。此外,它作为一种人工伤害感受器,忠实地复制关键的疼痛感知,如阈值、不适应、敏化和放松。该多功能忆阻器每个开关的超低功耗仅为36 pJ,为下一代智能系统和自适应人机界面提供了多功能硬件原型。
{"title":"A Monolithic 3D/2D Perovskite Memristor Enabling Ultralow-Voltage Neuromorphic Computing and Biomimetic Sensing.","authors":"Mingyang Huang,Zhenwang Luo,Hai Wang,Ran Zhao,Xu Wang,Fei Zheng,Zhenfu Zhao,Ziyang Hu","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c04053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c04053","url":null,"abstract":"Perovskite memristors hold great promise for neuromorphic computing and bioinspired sensing, yet their development is hindered by high operating voltages, environmental instability, and limited functional integration. Here, we report a robust memristor based on a 3D/2D halide perovskite heterostructure that overcomes these challenges. The device demonstrates ultralow switching voltages of ∼+0.18 V (SET) and ∼-0.4 V (RESET), a high ON/OFF ratio >104, excellent retention (>104 s), and endurance (>600 cycles) under ambient conditions. This performance stems from a synergistic \"bandgap staircase and built-in electric field\" mechanism at the heterointerface, which enhances field confinement for low-voltage switching while the 2D layer suppresses ion migration. Remarkably, this single platform integrates a complete neuromorphic-sensory functional chain. It emulates synaptic plasticity, achieving 90.77% accuracy in MNIST handwritten digit recognition. It also functions as a physical reservoir for temporal pattern processing, reaching perfect classification accuracy. Furthermore, it serves as an artificial nociceptor that faithfully replicates key pain perceptions such as threshold, nonadaptation, sensitization, and relaxation. With ultralow power consumption of only 36 pJ per switch, this multifunctional memristor provides a versatile hardware prototype for next-generation intelligent systems and adaptive human-machine interfaces.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The atomically precise nanoclusters offer precise control of optical properties on the nanoscale, as long as we understand the relation among the size, composition, and structure of nanoclusters and their physical properties. So far, the primary interest has been in the synthesis of nanoclusters with controlled optical properties, in not only the one-photon but also the two-photon regime. Large two-photon absorption cross sections of nanoclusters were reported, but the possibility of modulation of nonlinear optical (NLO) properties by external stimuli has been scarcely explored. We present here the experimental data supported by DFT calculations on two-photon absorption of gold nanoclusters, which are modified by oxidation-reduction processes. Such reactions can be an important regulator of the nonlinear optical properties of various materials, which is well established, e.g., for organometallics, but has not been demonstrated for nanoclusters. The reversible oxidation of [Au25(SR)18]- (where SR = 2-phenylethanethiol) to its neutral form results in distinct changes in the one-photon absorption spectra, but even more pronounced differences in the two-photon absorption. The change in the oxidation state of the Au25 cluster results in the 2-fold enhancement of the two-photon absorption cross sections in the wavelength range of 825-1150 nm and switching between saturable absorption and two-photon absorption below 825 nm. DFT calculations show that the presence of the counterion may contribute to the change, as it decreases the two-photon absorption cross sections of the system. Our results demonstrate that even seemingly minor electronic differences between the anionic and neutral Au25(PET)18 clusters can lead to pronounced variations in their NLO properties.
{"title":"Modulation of Two-Photon Absorption Due to the Reversible Change in the Oxidation State of Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters.","authors":"Patryk Obstarczyk,Julia Osmolska,Martina Perić Bakulić,Antonija Mravak,Marek Samoc,Joanna Olesiak-Banska","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c03956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c03956","url":null,"abstract":"The atomically precise nanoclusters offer precise control of optical properties on the nanoscale, as long as we understand the relation among the size, composition, and structure of nanoclusters and their physical properties. So far, the primary interest has been in the synthesis of nanoclusters with controlled optical properties, in not only the one-photon but also the two-photon regime. Large two-photon absorption cross sections of nanoclusters were reported, but the possibility of modulation of nonlinear optical (NLO) properties by external stimuli has been scarcely explored. We present here the experimental data supported by DFT calculations on two-photon absorption of gold nanoclusters, which are modified by oxidation-reduction processes. Such reactions can be an important regulator of the nonlinear optical properties of various materials, which is well established, e.g., for organometallics, but has not been demonstrated for nanoclusters. The reversible oxidation of [Au25(SR)18]- (where SR = 2-phenylethanethiol) to its neutral form results in distinct changes in the one-photon absorption spectra, but even more pronounced differences in the two-photon absorption. The change in the oxidation state of the Au25 cluster results in the 2-fold enhancement of the two-photon absorption cross sections in the wavelength range of 825-1150 nm and switching between saturable absorption and two-photon absorption below 825 nm. DFT calculations show that the presence of the counterion may contribute to the change, as it decreases the two-photon absorption cross sections of the system. Our results demonstrate that even seemingly minor electronic differences between the anionic and neutral Au25(PET)18 clusters can lead to pronounced variations in their NLO properties.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147393758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00231
Kevin Leung
Nanoconfinement reduces the favorable hydration free energies of single ions, and is correlated with ion rejection and modified chemical reactivity in water-filled nanopores. Many factors contribute to the magnitude of the observed confinement effect. Here we use simple classical force fields and nonpolarizable carbon nanotubes filled with water as minimal, hydrogen-atom-like models to evaluate the single-ion intrinsic confinement hydration free energy penalty (ΔΔGhyd). In tubes of radius R = 7.5 Å, we predict ΔΔGhyd values that are up to 7.8 kcal/mol, are much larger for Cl– than the smaller Na+ ion, and contradict the canonical Born equation for ion solvation. Adding a 1.0 M background electrolyte reduces ΔΔGhyd for the Na+/Cl– pair by an amount exceeding the Debye–Hückel estimate in unconfined media by almost an order of magnitude. We identify concentration-dependent ion-screening of confinement effects as a major, unheralded consequence of electrolytes in cylindrical nanopores.
{"title":"Anomalous Ion Confinement Penalties and Giant Ion-Screening Effects in One-Dimensional Nanopores","authors":"Kevin Leung","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00231","url":null,"abstract":"Nanoconfinement reduces the favorable hydration free energies of single ions, and is correlated with ion rejection and modified chemical reactivity in water-filled nanopores. Many factors contribute to the magnitude of the observed confinement effect. Here we use simple classical force fields and nonpolarizable carbon nanotubes filled with water as minimal, hydrogen-atom-like models to evaluate the single-ion intrinsic confinement hydration free energy penalty (ΔΔ<i>G</i><sub>hyd</sub>). In tubes of radius <i>R</i> = 7.5 Å, we predict ΔΔ<i>G</i><sub>hyd</sub> values that are up to 7.8 kcal/mol, are much larger for Cl<sup>–</sup> than the smaller Na<sup>+</sup> ion, and contradict the canonical Born equation for ion solvation. Adding a 1.0 M background electrolyte reduces ΔΔ<i>G</i><sub>hyd</sub> for the Na<sup>+</sup>/Cl<sup>–</sup> pair by an amount exceeding the Debye–Hückel estimate in unconfined media by almost an order of magnitude. We identify concentration-dependent ion-screening of confinement effects as a major, unheralded consequence of electrolytes in cylindrical nanopores.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"60 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147440382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c03863
Akash K Meel, Santosh Mogurampelly
Viscosity calculation from equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations relies on the traditional Green-Kubo (GK) framework, which integrates the stress autocorrelation function (SACF) over time. While the formalism is exact in the linear response regime, the traditional approach often suffers from poor convergence and requires extensive phase space sampling, which is computationally demanding for soft matter and polymer systems. In this Letter, we introduce a hybrid Green-Kubo (hGK) framework that alleviates these limitations by partitioning the SACF into two physically meaningful regimes: (i) a short time ballistic component extracted directly from short MD simulations and (ii) a long time relaxation tail represented using analytically motivated functions, ϕ(τ), fitted only to short trajectories such that η = (V/kBT)[1/6∑αβ∫0τl⟨Pαβ(t) Pαβ(t + τ )⟩ dτ + ∫τl∞ϕ(τ) dτ]. This strategy bypasses the need for extensive sampling while preserving the exact GK framework in short times. Benchmarking against SPC/E water confirms excellent agreement with established results, and we further demonstrate the efficacy of the method for challenging electrolyte systems (EC-LiTFSI and PEO-LiTFSI), for which the GK framework fails to converge. The computational savings are substantial, with reductions of several orders of magnitude in required sampling achieved without compromising predictive accuracy. We also discuss the limitations of the hGK framework and outline clear avenues for refinement, including optimal tail selection and robust identification of relaxation regimes in noisy stress data. The hGK framework presented in this Letter provides a conceptually simple, broadly applicable, and computationally efficient route for viscosity prediction in molecular liquids, polymer melts, and ionically conducting soft materials.
{"title":"A Hybrid Green-Kubo (hGK) Framework for Calculating Viscosity from Short MD Simulations.","authors":"Akash K Meel, Santosh Mogurampelly","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c03863","DOIUrl":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c03863","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Viscosity calculation from equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations relies on the traditional Green-Kubo (GK) framework, which integrates the stress autocorrelation function (SACF) over time. While the formalism is exact in the linear response regime, the traditional approach often suffers from poor convergence and requires extensive phase space sampling, which is computationally demanding for soft matter and polymer systems. In this Letter, we introduce a hybrid Green-Kubo (hGK) framework that alleviates these limitations by partitioning the SACF into two physically meaningful regimes: (i) a short time ballistic component extracted directly from short MD simulations and (ii) a long time relaxation tail represented using analytically motivated functions, ϕ(τ), fitted only to short trajectories such that η = (<i>V/k</i><sub>B</sub><i>T</i>)[<sup>1</sup>/<sub>6</sub>∑<sub>αβ</sub>∫<sub>0</sub><sup>τ<sub><i>l</i></sub></sup>⟨<i>P</i><sub>αβ</sub>(<i>t</i>) <i>P</i><sub>αβ</sub>(<i>t</i> + τ )⟩ dτ + ∫<sub>τ<sub><i>l</i></sub></sub><sup>∞</sup>ϕ(τ) dτ]. This strategy bypasses the need for extensive sampling while preserving the exact GK framework in short times. Benchmarking against SPC/E water confirms excellent agreement with established results, and we further demonstrate the efficacy of the method for challenging electrolyte systems (EC-LiTFSI and PEO-LiTFSI), for which the GK framework fails to converge. The computational savings are substantial, with reductions of several orders of magnitude in required sampling achieved without compromising predictive accuracy. We also discuss the limitations of the hGK framework and outline clear avenues for refinement, including optimal tail selection and robust identification of relaxation regimes in noisy stress data. The hGK framework presented in this Letter provides a conceptually simple, broadly applicable, and computationally efficient route for viscosity prediction in molecular liquids, polymer melts, and ionically conducting soft materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147429645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-12DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00346
Chen-Yu Lin,Jing-Han Shi,Ya-Chen Lin,Pi-Tai Chou
Using the prototypical "multiple resonance" (MR) emitters CzBN and BCzBN (also known as DtBuCzB), we uncover a previously unrecognized yet crucial complexation process between B/N MR cores and water molecules that profoundly alters their ground- and excited-state photophysics and photochemistry. This discovery originated from an unexpected new blue-shifted band of BCzBN (360 nm absorption/375 nm emission), which appeared, alongside the parent 467/480 nm bands, when trace water was present in organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). The same phenomenon was subsequently observed for CzBN. Water titration experiments with CzBN in THF reveal a 1(CzBN)/3(H2O) stoichiometry complex with a binding constant of 10.65 ± 0.66 M-3. Quantum-chemical calculations further support that a linear relay water trimer engages the boron center through an O(H2O) → B(CzBN) Lewis acid-base interaction and forms H(H2O)···N(CzBN) hydrogen bonds, thereby perturbing the MR-core planarity. This interaction raises the LUMO energy while preserving the alternating HOMO/LUMO distribution, allowing both the parent CzBN (475 nm) and water complex (370 nm) emissions to exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Further fluorescence titration and time-resolved emission studies reaffirm a ground-state equilibrium between CzBN, the 3H2O-CzBN complex, and second-shell water-solvated 3H2O-CzBN. Upon excitation, expulsion of water from the boron center occurs in solvated 3H2O-CzBN, creating a branching pathway that competes with TADF and yields the characteristic 475 nm CzBN emission. Water complexation is also observed in other BCzBN derivatives with enhanced boron Lewis acidity but is absent in those with diminished acidity, indicating that the static interaction of O(H2O) → B(MR) with water is indispensable for forming water-B/N MR complexes. These results uncover water as a previously overlooked yet ubiquitous perturbing agent in B/N-type MR systems, opening new opportunities for understanding and exploiting their behavior under aqueous influence.
{"title":"Water-Mediated Electronic Modulation in Boron-Nitrogen Multi-resonance Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters.","authors":"Chen-Yu Lin,Jing-Han Shi,Ya-Chen Lin,Pi-Tai Chou","doi":"10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00346","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00346","url":null,"abstract":"Using the prototypical \"multiple resonance\" (MR) emitters CzBN and BCzBN (also known as DtBuCzB), we uncover a previously unrecognized yet crucial complexation process between B/N MR cores and water molecules that profoundly alters their ground- and excited-state photophysics and photochemistry. This discovery originated from an unexpected new blue-shifted band of BCzBN (360 nm absorption/375 nm emission), which appeared, alongside the parent 467/480 nm bands, when trace water was present in organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF). The same phenomenon was subsequently observed for CzBN. Water titration experiments with CzBN in THF reveal a 1(CzBN)/3(H2O) stoichiometry complex with a binding constant of 10.65 ± 0.66 M-3. Quantum-chemical calculations further support that a linear relay water trimer engages the boron center through an O(H2O) → B(CzBN) Lewis acid-base interaction and forms H(H2O)···N(CzBN) hydrogen bonds, thereby perturbing the MR-core planarity. This interaction raises the LUMO energy while preserving the alternating HOMO/LUMO distribution, allowing both the parent CzBN (475 nm) and water complex (370 nm) emissions to exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Further fluorescence titration and time-resolved emission studies reaffirm a ground-state equilibrium between CzBN, the 3H2O-CzBN complex, and second-shell water-solvated 3H2O-CzBN. Upon excitation, expulsion of water from the boron center occurs in solvated 3H2O-CzBN, creating a branching pathway that competes with TADF and yields the characteristic 475 nm CzBN emission. Water complexation is also observed in other BCzBN derivatives with enhanced boron Lewis acidity but is absent in those with diminished acidity, indicating that the static interaction of O(H2O) → B(MR) with water is indispensable for forming water-B/N MR complexes. These results uncover water as a previously overlooked yet ubiquitous perturbing agent in B/N-type MR systems, opening new opportunities for understanding and exploiting their behavior under aqueous influence.","PeriodicalId":62,"journal":{"name":"The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.475,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147439577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}