@misc{MatisSchoenbornSaalfrank2015, author = {Matis, Jochen Ren{\´e} and Sch{\"o}nborn, Jan Boyke and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {A multi-reference study of the byproduct formation for a ring-closed dithienylethene photoswitch}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-89594}, pages = {14088 -- 14095}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Photodriven molecular switches are sometimes hindered in their performance by forming byproducts which act as dead ends in sequences of switching cycles, leading to rapid fatigue effects. Understanding the reaction pathways to unwanted byproducts is a prerequisite for preventing them. This article presents a study of the photochemical reaction pathways for byproduct formation in the photochromic switch 1,2-bis-(3-thienyl)-ethene. Specifically, using single- and multi-reference methods the post-deexcitation reaction towards the byproduct in the electronic ground state S0 when starting from the S1-S0 conical intersection (CoIn), is considered in detail. We find an unusual low-energy pathway, which offers the possibility for the formation of a dyotropic byproduct. Several high-energy pathways can be excluded with high probability.}, language = {en} } @misc{BanerjeeStuekerSaalfrank2015, author = {Banerjee, Shiladitya and St{\"u}ker, Tony and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {Vibrationally resolved optical spectra of modified diamondoids obtained from time-dependent correlation function methods}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-86826}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Optical properties of modified diamondoids have been studied theoretically using vibrationally resolved electronic absorption, emission and resonance Raman spectra. A time-dependent correlation function approach has been used for electronic two-state models, comprising a ground state (g) and a bright, excited state (e), the latter determined from linear-response, time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT). The harmonic and Condon approximations were adopted. In most cases origin shifts, frequency alteration and Duschinsky rotation in excited states were considered. For other cases where no excited state geometry optimization and normal mode analysis were possible or desired, a short-time approximation was used. The optical properties and spectra have been computed for (i) a set of recently synthesized sp2/sp3 hybrid species with C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double-bond connected saturated diamondoid subunits, (ii) functionalized (mostly by thiol or thione groups) diamondoids and (iii) urotropine and other C-substituted diamondoids. The ultimate goal is to tailor optical and electronic features of diamondoids by electronic blending, functionalization and substitution, based on a molecular-level understanding of the ongoing photophysics.}, language = {en} } @misc{EhlertUngerSaalfrank2014, author = {Ehlert, Christopher and Unger, Wolfgang E. S. and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {C K-edge NEXAFS spectra of graphene with physical and chemical defects}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-74429}, pages = {14083 -- 14095}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Recently, C K-edge Near Edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectra of graphite (HOPG) surfaces have been measured for the pristine material, and for HOPG treated with either bromine or krypton plasmas (Lippitz et al., Surf. Sci., 2013, 611, L1). Changes of the NEXAFS spectra characteristic for physical (krypton) and/or chemical/physical modifications of the surface (bromine) upon plasma treatment were observed. Their molecular origin, however, remained elusive. In this work we study by density functional theory, the effects of selected point and line defects as well as chemical modifications on NEXAFS carbon K-edge spectra of single graphene layers. For Br-treated surfaces, also Br 3d X-ray Photoelectron Spectra (XPS) are simulated by a cluster approach, to identify possible chemical modifications. We observe that some of the defects related to plasma treatment lead to characteristic changes of NEXAFS spectra, similar to those in experiment. Theory provides possible microscopic origins for these changes.}, language = {en} } @misc{WirthNeumannAntoniettietal.2014, author = {Wirth, Jonas and Neumann, Rainer and Antonietti, Markus and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {Adsorption and photocatalytic splitting of water on graphitic carbon nitride}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-74391}, pages = {15917 -- 15926}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Graphitic carbon nitride, g-C₃N₄, is a promising organic photo-catalyst for a variety of redox reactions. In order to improve its efficiency in a systematic manner, however, a fundamental understanding of the microscopic interaction between catalyst, reactants and products is crucial. Here we present a systematic study of water adsorption on g-C₃N₄ by means of density functional theory and the density functional based tight-binding method as a prerequisite for understanding photocatalytic water splitting. We then analyze this prototypical redox reaction on the basis of a thermodynamic model providing an estimate of the overpotential for both water oxidation and H⁺ reduction. While the latter is found to occur readily upon irradiation with visible light, we derive a prohibitive overpotential of 1.56 eV for the water oxidation half reaction, comparing well with the experimental finding that in contrast to H₂ production O₂ evolution is only possible in the presence of oxidation cocatalysts.}, language = {en} } @misc{BanerjeeSaalfrank2013, author = {Banerjee, Shiladitya and Saalfrank, Peter}, title = {Vibrationally resolved absorption, emission and resonance Raman spectra of diamondoids}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-94542}, pages = {144 -- 158}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The time-dependent approach to electronic spectroscopy, as popularized by Heller and coworkers in the 1980's, is applied here in conjunction with linear-response, time-dependent density functional theory to study vibronic absorption, emission and resonance Raman spectra of several diamondoids. Two-state models, the harmonic and the Condon approximations, are used for the calculations, making them easily applicable to larger molecules. The method is applied to nine pristine lower and higher diamondoids: adamantane, diamantane, triamantane, and three isomers each of tetramantane and pentamantane. We also consider a hybrid species "Dia = Dia" - a shorthand notation for a recently synthesized molecule comprising two diamantane units connected by a C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond. We resolve and interpret trends in optical and vibrational properties of these molecules as a function of their size, shape, and symmetry, as well as effects of "blending" with sp2-hybridized C-atoms. Time-dependent correlation functions facilitate the computations and shed light on the vibrational dynamics following electronic transitions.}, language = {en} }