Electronic structure calculations in arbitrary electrostatic environments

J Chem Phys. 2012 Jan 14;136(2):024101. doi: 10.1063/1.3670417.

Abstract

Modeling of electronic structure of molecules in electrostatic environments is of considerable relevance for surface-enhanced spectroscopy and molecular electronics. We have developed and implemented a novel approach to the molecular electronic structure in arbitrary electrostatic environments that is compatible with standard quantum chemical methods and can be applied to medium-sized and large molecules. The scheme denoted CheESE (chemistry in electrostatic environments) is based on the description of molecular electronic structure subject to a boundary condition on the system/environment interface. Thus, it is particularly suited to study molecules on metallic surfaces. The proposed model is capable of describing both electrostatic effects near nanostructured metallic surfaces and image-charge effects. We present an implementation of the CheESE model as a library module and show example applications to neutral and negatively charged molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benzene / chemistry
  • Electrons*
  • Glycine / chemistry
  • Metals / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Static Electricity
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Metals
  • Benzene
  • Glycine