Khurshid Ayub

Bio: Khurshid Ayub is an academic researcher from COMSATS Institute of Information Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Density functional theory & Hyperpolarizability. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 294 publications receiving 4942 citations. Previous affiliations of Khurshid Ayub include University of Victoria & Queen's University.

DFT Study of Polyaniline NH3, CO2, and CO Gas Sensors: Comparison with Recent Experimental Data

Abstract: Density functional theory studies (DFT) have been carried out to evaluate the ability of polyaniline emeraldine salt (PANI ES) from 2 to 8 phenyl rings as sensor for NH3, CO2, and CO. The sensitivity and selectivity of nPANI ES among NH3, CO2, and CO are studied at UB3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. Interaction of nPANI ES with CO is studied from both O (CO(1)) and C (CO(2)) sides of CO. Interaction energy, NBO, and Mulliken charge analysis were used to evaluate the sensing ability of PANI ES for different analytes. Interaction energies are calculated and corrected for BSSE. Large forces of attraction in nPANI ES-NH3 complexes are observed compared to nPANI ES–CO2, nPANI ES-CO(1), and nPANI ES-CO(2) complexes. The inertness of +C≡O– in nPANI ES-CO(1) and nPANI ES-CO(2) complexes are also discussed. Frontier molecular orbitals and energies indicate that NH3 changes the orbital energy of nPANI ES to a greater extent compared to CO2, CO(1), and CO(2). Peaks in UV–vis and UV–vis–near-IR spectra of nPANI ES are ...

Doping and Dedoping Processes of Polypyrrole: DFT Study with Hybrid Functionals

Abstract: Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations at the UB3LYP/6-31G(d) level have been performed to investigate the tunable nature, i.e., doping and dedoping processes, of polypyrrole (PPy). The calculated theoretical data show strong correlation with the recent experimental reports, which validates our computational protocol. The calculated properties are extrapolated to the polymer (PPy) through a second-order polynomial fit. Changes in band gap, conductivity, and resistance of nPy and nPy-X (where n = 1–9 and X = +, NH3, and Cl) were studied and correlated with the calculated vibrational spectra (IR) and electronic properties. Upon doping, bridging bond distance and internal bond angles decrease (decrease in resistance over polymer backbone), whereas dedoping results in increases in these geometric parameters. In the vibrational spectrum, doping is characterized by an increase in the band peaks in the fingerprint region and/or red shifting of the spectral bands. Dedoping (9...

Are phosphide nano-cages better than nitride nano-cages? A kinetic, thermodynamic and non-linear optical properties study of alkali metal encapsulated X12Y12 nano-cages

Abstract: Density functional theory calculations have been performed for alkali metal encapsulated X12Y12 nano-cages (X = B, Al and Y = N, P) to evaluate their stability, boundary crossing barriers and optical (linear and non-linear) properties. The adsorption energies of alkali metals in nano-cages are calculated, and correlated with the size of the nano-cages and alkali atoms. Distortion (expansion) of the nano-cages caused by alkali metal encapsulation was estimated through distortion energy. The distortion energies show good correlation with the diameter of the nano-cages. Kinetic barriers for the movement of alkali metals through nano-cages (boundary crossing barriers) are quantitatively measured. This manuscript presents the first ever study on boundary crossing barriers for alkali metal atoms through any spherical surface. The translation of alkali metals through the boundary of nano-cages presents a new approach for encapsulation of alkali metal atoms ((particularly lithium)) in nano-cages. The linear and non-linear optical properties of alkali metal encapsulated nano-cages are calculated. A quite remarkable non-linear optical response is calculated for lithium and potassium encapsulated boron phosphide (B12P12 or BP) nano-cages. In general, the non-linear optical response of phosphide nano-cages is two to three orders of magnitude higher than those of the corresponding nitride nano-cages. The calculated first hyperpolarizability of the K@BP nano-cage is 5.7 × 105 a.u., a value comparable to that of the best NLO material reported in the literature. The electronic structures of nano-cages including the HOMO–LUMO gap, TDOS, PDOS and excitation energies are analyzed to rationalize the extraordinary NLO response of the phosphide nano-cages. The NLO response of the K@BP nano-cage is primarily attributed to a very low excitation energy (0.5 eV). Interaction of nitrogen and phosphorus (of the nano-cages) with alkali metals differs between aluminum and boron nano-cages. Interaction of lone pair containing atoms with alkali metals in aluminum nano-cages generates diffuse excess electrons, whereas no such diffuse excess electrons are generated in boron nano-cages. UV-Vis and infra-red spectral characteristics for these encapsulated nano-cages are presented as a reference for future studies.

Methods in Enzymology.

Abstract: I read this book the same weekend that the Packers took on the Rams, and the experience of the latter event, obviously, colored my judgment. Although I abhor anything that smacks of being a handbook (like, \"How to Earn a Merit Badge in Neurosurgery\") because too many volumes in biomedical science already evince a boyscout-like approach, I must confess that parts of this volume are fast, scholarly, and significant, with certain reservations. I like parts of this well-illustrated book because Dr. Sj6strand, without so stating, develops certain subjects on technique in relation to the acquisition of judgment and sophistication. And this is important! So, given that the author (like all of us) is somewhat deficient in some areas, and biased in others, the book is still valuable if the uninitiated reader swallows it in a general fashion, realizing full well that what will be required from the reader is a modulation to fit his vision, propreception, adaptation and response, and the kind of problem he is undertaking. A major deficiency of this book is revealed by comparison of its use of physics and of chemistry to provide understanding and background for the application of high resolution electron microscopy to problems in biology. Since the volume is keyed to high resolution electron microscopy, which is a sophisticated form of structural analysis, but really morphology in a modern guise, the physical and mechanical background of The instrument and its ancillary tools are simply and well presented. The potential use of chemical or cytochemical information as it relates to biological fine structure , however, is quite deficient. I wonder when even sophisticated morphol-ogists will consider fixation a reaction and not a technique; only then will the fundamentals become self-evident and predictable and this sine qua flon will become less mystical. Staining reactions (the most inadequate chapter) ought to be something more than a technique to selectively enhance contrast of morphological elements; it ought to give the structural addresses of some of the chemical residents of cell components. Is it pertinent that auto-radiography gets singled out for more complete coverage than other significant aspects of cytochemistry by a high resolution microscopist, when it has a built-in minimal error of 1,000 A in standard practice? I don't mean to blind-side (in strict football terminology) Dr. Sj6strand's efforts for what is \"routinely used in our laboratory\"; what is done is usually well done. It's just that …

Ultracapacitors: Why, How, and Where is the Technology

Abstract: The science and technology of ultracapacitors are reviewed for a number of electrode materials, including carbon, mixed metal oxides, and conducting polymers. More work has been done using microporous carbons than with the other materials and most of the commercially available devices use carbon electrodes and an organic electrolytes. The energy density of these devices is 3¯5 Wh/kg with a power density of 300¯500 W/kg for high efficiency (90¯95%) charge/discharges. Projections of future developments using carbon indicate that energy densities of 10 Wh/kg or higher are likely with power densities of 1¯2 kW/kg. A key problem in the fabrication of these advanced devices is the bonding of the thin electrodes to a current collector such the contact resistance is less than 0.1 cm2. Special attention is given in the paper to comparing the power density characteristics of ultracapacitors and batteries. The comparisons should be made at the same charge/discharge efficiency.

Metal–Ligand Cooperation

Abstract: Metal-ligand cooperation (MLC) has become an important concept in catalysis by transition metal complexes both in synthetic and biological systems. MLC implies that both the metal and the ligand are directly involved in bond activation processes, by contrast to "classical" transition metal catalysis where the ligand (e.g. phosphine) acts as a spectator, while all key transformations occur at the metal center. In this Review, we will discuss examples of MLC in which 1) both the metal and the ligand are chemically modified during bond activation and 2) bond activation results in immediate changes in the 1st coordination sphere involving the cooperating ligand, even if the reactive center at the ligand is not directly bound to the metal (e.g. via tautomerization). The role of MLC in enabling effective catalysis as well as in catalyst deactivation reactions will be discussed.

Nanomaterials: a review of synthesis methods, properties, recent progress, and challenges

Abstract: Nanomaterials have emerged as an amazing class of materials that consists of a broad spectrum of examples with at least one dimension in the range of 1 to 100 nm. Exceptionally high surface areas can be achieved through the rational design of nanomaterials. Nanomaterials can be produced with outstanding magnetic, electrical, optical, mechanical, and catalytic properties that are substantially different from their bulk counterparts. The nanomaterial properties can be tuned as desired via precisely controlling the size, shape, synthesis conditions, and appropriate functionalization. This review discusses a brief history of nanomaterials and their use throughout history to trigger advances in nanotechnology development. In particular, we describe and define various terms relating to nanomaterials. Various nanomaterial synthesis methods, including top-down and bottom-up approaches, are discussed. The unique features of nanomaterials are highlighted throughout the review. This review describes advances in nanomaterials, specifically fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon quantum dots, nanodiamonds, carbon nanohorns, nanoporous materials, core–shell nanoparticles, silicene, antimonene, MXenes, 2D MOF nanosheets, boron nitride nanosheets, layered double hydroxides, and metal-based nanomaterials. Finally, we conclude by discussing challenges and future perspectives relating to nanomaterials.