A quantum mechanical analysis of the electronic response of BN nanocluster to formaldehyde

Abstract

It has been previously demonstrated that the electronic properties of pristine BN nanotubes and graphene-like sheets are not sensitive toward presence of H2CO gas. Here, the adsorption of H2CO on the external surface of B12N12 nano-cage is studied using X3LYP and Minnesota density functional calculations. Three different adsorp­tion behaviors were found including physisorption, chemisorption, and chemical functionalization. Gibbs free energy changes at room temperature and 1 atm pressure is in the range of -0.07 to -2.00 eV (X3LYP). The HOMO-LUMO energy gap of the cluster dramatically decreases after the H2CO chemisorption. Thus, B12N12 nanocluster may be used in gas sensor devices for H2CO detection.