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Sensor applications of polypyrrole for oxynitrogen analytes: a DFT study

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Abstract

Density functional theory calculations are performed to evaluate the sensing ability of polypyrrole for oxynitrogen analytes. Interaction energies of PPy-X (X = NO2−, NO2, and NO) are calculated at B3LYP-CP/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels of theory and compared with the high level calibrated method (M05-2X/aug-cc-pVDZ). B3LYP-CP/6-31G(d) gives the best correlation with the high level calibrated method compared to B3LYP/6-31G(d). Interaction of oligopyrrole with analytes shows a significant effect on the geometric and electronic properties; the conjugation is increased in the pyrrole oligomers and movement of charge is increased over the polymeric backbone. The charge is transferred from analytes to pyrrole oligomers (except nPy-NO2), and a more pronounced effect of charge transfer is observed in the case of nitrite ion (NO2−) compared to NO. In nPy-NO2, the charge is transferred from polymer to analyte. This transfer of charge indicates the n-type doping effect of analytes. The HOMO-LUMO gap decreases after interaction with analytes, which results in a drop of resistance (conductivity increases). These theoretical outcomes are consistent with the experimental results; polypyrrole has more sensing ability toward the nitrite anion (NO2−).

High sensitivity of polypyrrole towards NO over NO2 and NO2−

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (Grant No. 3013 and 5309) and COMSATS University, Abbottabad Campus.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, 22060, Pakistan

    Fatima Wasim, Naveen Kosar, Tariq Mahmood & Khurshid Ayub

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  1. Fatima Wasim
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Correspondence to Tariq Mahmood or Khurshid Ayub.

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Wasim, F., Kosar, N., Mahmood, T. et al. Sensor applications of polypyrrole for oxynitrogen analytes: a DFT study. J Mol Model 24, 308 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00894-018-3843-0

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