Effective empirical corrections for basis set superposition error in the def2-SVPD basis: gCP and DFT-C.

With the aim of mitigating the basis set error in density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing local basis sets, we herein develop two empirical corrections for basis set superposition error (BSSE) in the def2-SVPD basis, a basis which-when stripped of BSSE-is capable of providing near-complete-basis DFT results for non-covalent interactions. Specifically, we adapt the existing pairwise geometrical counterpoise (gCP) approach to the def2-SVPD basis, and we develop a beyond-pairwise approach, DFT-C, which we parameterize across a small set of intermolecular interactions. Both gCP and DFT-C are evaluated against the traditional Boys-Bernardi counterpoise correction across a set of 3402 non-covalent binding energies and isomerization energies.

Assessing DFT-D3 Damping Functions Across Widely Used Density Functionals: Can We Do Better?

With the aim of improving the utility of the DFT-D3 empirical dispersion correction, we herein generalize the DFT-D3 damping function by optimizing an additional parameter, an exponent, which controls the rate at which the dispersion tail is activated. This method - DFT-D3(op), shorthand for "optimized power," where power refers to the newly introduced exponent - is then parametrized for use with ten popular density functional approximations across a small set of noncovalent interactions and isomerization energies; the resulting methods are then evaluated across a large independent test set of 2475 noncovalent binding energies and isomerization energies. We find that the DFT-D3(op) tail represents a substantial improvement over existing damping functions, as it affords significant reductions in errors associated with noncovalent interaction energies and geometries.

Push it to the limit: Characterizing the convergence of common sequences of basis sets for intermolecular interactions as described by density functional theory.

With the aim of systematically characterizing the convergence of common families of basis sets such that general recommendations for basis sets can be made, we have tested a wide variety of basis sets against complete-basis binding energies across the S22 set of intermolecular interactions-noncovalent interactions of small and medium-sized molecules consisting of first- and second-row atoms-with three distinct density functional approximations: SPW92, a form of local-density approximation; B3LYP, a global hybrid generalized gradient approximation; and B97M-V, a meta-generalized gradient approximation with nonlocal correlation. We have found that it is remarkably difficult to reach the basis set limit; for the methods and systems examined, the most complete basis is Jensen's pc-4. The Dunning correlation-consistent sequence of basis sets converges slowly relative to the Jensen sequence.

Beyond Energies: Geometries of Nonbonded Molecular Complexes as Metrics for Assessing Electronic Structure Approaches.

Electronic structure approaches for calculating intermolecular interactions have traditionally been benchmarked almost exclusively on the basis of energy-centric metrics. Herein, we explore the idea of utilizing a metric related to geometry. On a diverse series of noncovalently interacting systems of different sizes, from the water dimer to the coronene dimer, we evaluate a variety of electronic structure approximations with respect to their abilities to reproduce coupled-cluster-level geometries.

Assessing electronic structure approaches for gas-ligand interactions in metal-organic frameworks: the CO2-benzene complex.

Adsorption of gas molecules in metal-organic frameworks is governed by many factors, the most dominant of which are the interaction of the gas with open metal sites, and the interaction of the gas with the ligands. Herein, we examine the latter class of interaction in the context of CO2 binding to benzene. We begin by clarifying the geometry of the CO2-benzene complex.

Design criteria for stable Pt/C fuel cell catalysts.

Platinum and Pt alloy nanoparticles supported on carbon are the state of the art electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To develop a better understanding on how material design can influence the degradation processes on the nanoscale, three specific Pt/C catalysts with different structural characteristics were investigated in depth: a conventional Pt/Vulcan catalyst with a particle size of 3-4 nm and two Pt@HGS catalysts with different particle size, 1-2 nm and 3-4 nm. Specifically, Pt@HGS corresponds to platinum nanoparticles incorporated and confined within the pore structure of the nanostructured carbon support, i.