Controlling ion transport through nanopores: modeling transistor behavior.

We present a modeling study of a nanopore-based transistor computed by a mean-field continuum theory (Poisson-Nernst-Planck, PNP) and a hybrid method including particle simulation (Local Equilibrium Monte Carlo, LEMC) that is able to take ionic correlations into account including the finite size of ions. The model is composed of three regions along the pore axis with the left and right regions determining the ionic species that is the main charge carrier, and the central region tuning the concentration of that species and, thus, the current flowing through the nanopore. We consider a model of small dimensions with the pore radius comparable to the Debye-screening length (Rpore/λD≈ 1), which, together with large surface charges provides a mechanism for creating depletion zones and, thus, controlling ionic current through the device. We report the scaling behavior of the device as a function of the Rpore/λD parameter. Qualitative agreement between PNP and LEMC results indicates that mean-field electrostatic effects predominantly determine device behavior.

Simulation of a model nanopore sensor: Ion competition underlies device behavior.

We study a model nanopore sensor with which a very low concentration of analyte molecules can be detected on the basis of the selective binding of the analyte molecules to the binding sites on the pore wall. The bound analyte ions partially replace the current-carrier cations in a thermodynamic competition. This competition depends both on the properties of the nanopore and the concentrations of the competing ions (through their chemical potentials). The output signal given by the device is the current reduction caused by the presence of the analyte ions. The concentration of the analyte ions can be determined through calibration curves. We model the binding site with the square-well potential and the electrolyte as charged hard spheres in an implicit background solvent. We study the system with a hybrid method in which we compute the ion flux with the Nernst-Planck (NP) equation coupled with the Local Equilibrium Monte Carlo (LEMC) simulation technique. The resulting NP+LEMC method is able to handle both strong ionic correlations inside the pore (including finite size of ions) and bulk concentrations as low as micromolar. We analyze the effect of bulk ion concentrations, pore parameters, binding site parameters, electrolyte properties, and voltage on the behavior of the device.

Combined Computational Approach Based on Density Functional Theory and Artificial Neural Networks for Predicting The Solubility Parameters of Fullerenes.

The solubility of organic semiconductors in environmentally benign solvents is an important prerequisite for the widespread adoption of organic electronic appliances. Solubility can be determined by considering the cohesive forces in a liquid via Hansen solubility parameters (HSP). We report a numerical approach to determine the HSP of fullerenes using a mathematical tool based on artificial neural networks (ANN). ANN transforms the molecular surface charge density distribution (σ-profile) as determined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the framework of a continuum solvation model into solubility parameters. We validate our model with experimentally determined HSP of the fullerenes C60, PC61BM, bisPC61BM, ICMA, ICBA, and PC71BM and through comparison with previously reported molecular dynamics calculations. Most excitingly, the ANN is able to correctly predict the dispersive contributions to the solubility parameters of the fullerenes although no explicit information on the van der Waals forces is present in the σ-profile. The presented theoretical DFT calculation in combination with the ANN mathematical tool can be easily extended to other π-conjugated, electronic material classes and offers a fast and reliable toolbox for future pathways that may include the design of green ink formulations for solution-processed optoelectronic devices.

Adsorption isotherms of some alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons and surface energies on partially dealuminated Y faujasite zeolite by inverse gas chromatography.

Adsorption isotherm data of some alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene) measured in the temperature range of 423-523K on a partially dealuminated faujasite type DAY F20 zeolite by inverse gas chromatography are presented in this work. The temperature dependent form of Tóth's equation has been fitted to the multiple temperature adsorption isotherms of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene and p-xylene with standard deviations of 4.6, 5.0, 5.9, 4.3, 5.1 and 6.3mmolkg(-1) and coefficients of determinations (r(2)) of 0.977, 0.971, 0.974, 0.975, 0.991 and 0.991, respectively. The gas-solid equilibria and modeling were interpreted on the basis of the interfacial properties of the zeolite, by dispersive, specific and total surface energy heterogeneity profiles and distributions of the adsorbent measured by surface energy analysis.

Solvation parameters Part 1. Mutual improvements of several approaches and determination of two first sets of optimized values.

An improvement in the characterization and the determination of the solvation parameters allows, not only a better knowledge of solutions, but also of some biological phenomena. In this paper, we test several published data and approaches in the field of solubility and solvation parameters in two ways: (i) the mutual independence of the parameters and (ii) their ability to take into account recently published gas-liquid chromatographic data. From this enquiry it arises that the most suitable published values are those of Abraham concerning 314 solutes. It also arises that the parameters of dispersion and orientation of this published data set are appreciably improved using two simple equations. In addition, a new set of optimized values for 133 solutes is given, by derivation from retention indices in gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) on five selected stationary phases, published by Kováts and co-workers and in the present study. The two sets have a total of 373 defined compounds.

Solute-solvent interaction parameters by gas chromatography.

Gas-liquid distribution coefficients at ideal dilution in non-volatile solvents can be measured by gas chromatography. The numerical value of a coefficient depends on the choice of the concentration unit in the solvent and in the gas phase. The relationships between different coefficients characterizing gas-liquid equilibria are discussed and summarized. Coefficients determined at several temperatures permit calculation of the standard chemical potential difference of the solute with the ideal gas phase as reference as a function of temperature, the g-SPOT. Following the proposal of Kirchhoff the latter can be formulated as an equation with three constants. As in the gas phase the molecules of the solute have no interacting partners, the three constants, deltaH, deltaS and deltaC, characterize the interaction between solvent and solute molecules. They will be called the "solute-solvent interaction parameters". In the same system the values of these parameters depend on the choice of the distribution coefficient. Five different distribution coefficients result five sets of interaction parameters. It is shown that conversion of a parameter set to another implies additive corrections independent of the nature of the solute. If g-SPOT-s are measured in a series of solvents, the data may be used to calculate the corresponding liquid-liquid partition coefficients by electing one of the solvents as reference (l-SPOT). The corresponding "relative interaction parameters" can be calculated by simple substraction. In a second chapter the precautions are summarized, necessary for gas chromatographic determination of distribution coefficients and examples are given for interaction parameters in different systems. It is concluded that there are significant differences between g-SPOT-s related to different distribution coefficients. On the other hand, differences between l-SPOT-s are negligible.