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D. di Caprio

Publications and source records attributed to D. di Caprio.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Quantum tailoring of electronic properties in covalently functionalized graphene: application to ammonia gas detection

Functionalized graphene offers great potential in the field of rapid detection of gases at room temperature. We performed first-principles calculations to study the suitability of 4-sulfobenzenediazonium salts (4SBD) as bandgap modifier in graphene. The signature of unpaired spins is evidenced near the Fermi level owing to the symmetry breaking of graphene sublattices. 4SBD-chemisorbed on graphene is found to be electronically sensitive to the presence of ammonia NH3 with increasing gas concentration.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Two-Yukawa fluid at a hard wall: Field theory treatment

We apply a field-theoretical approach to study the structure and thermodynamics of a two-Yukawa fluid confined by a hard wall. We derive mean field equations allowing for numerical evaluation of the density profile which is compared to analytical estimations. Beyond the mean field approximation, analytical expressions for the free energy, the pressure, and the correlation function are derived. Subsequently, contributions to the density profile and the adsorption coefficient due to Gaussian fluctuations are found. Both the mean field and the fluctuation terms of the density profile are shown to satisfy the contact theorem. We further use the contact theorem to improve the Gaussian approximation for the density profile based on a better approximation for the bulk pressure. The results obtained are compared to computer simulation data.

cond-mat.soft

Contact theorems for anisotropic fluids near a hard wall

In this paper, starting from the Born-Green-Yvon (BGY) equation, we derive a general expression for the contact value of the singlet distribution function near a hard wall for anisotropic fluids. This relation includes two separate contributions. One is connected to the partial bulk pressure relative to a given orientation of the molecules. The second one is connected to the anchoring phenomena and is characterized by the direct interaction between the molecules and the wall. From this relation, we then formulate the contact theorem for the density and the order parameter profiles. The results are illustrated on the case of a nematic fluid near a hard wall.

cond-mat.soft

Charge and electric field distributions in the interelectrode region of an inhomogeneous solid electrolyte

A solid ionic conductor with cation conductivity in the interelectrode region is studied. Due to their large size, the anions are considered fixed and form a homogeneous neutralizing electric background. The model can be used to describe properties of ceramic conductors. For a statistical mechanical description of such systems, which are characterized by short-range Van der Waals interactions and long-range Coulomb interactions, an approach combining the collective variables method and the method of mean cell potentials is used. This formalism was applied in our previous work [Bokun G., Kravtsiv I., Holovko M., Vikhrenko V., Di Caprio D., Condens. Matter Phys., 2019, 29, 3351] to a homogeneous state and in the present work is extended to an inhomogeneous case induced by an external electric field. As a result, mean cell potentials become functionals of the density field and can be described by a closed system of integral equations. We investigate the solution of this problem in the lattice approximation and study charge and electric field distributions in the interelectrode region as functions of plate electrode charges. The differential electric capacitance is subsequently calculated and discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Short- and long-range contributions to equilibrium and transport properties of solid electrolytes

Condensed ionic systems are described in the framework of a combined approach that takes into account both long-range and short-range interactions. Short-range interaction is expressed in terms of mean potentials and long-range interaction is considered in terms of screening potentials. A system of integral equations for these potentials is constructed based on the condition of the best agreement of the system of study with the reference system. In contrast to the description of media with short-range interactions, in this text the reference distribution includes not only the field of mean potentials but also Coulomb interaction between particles. A one-component system made of ions in a neutralizing background of fixed counterions is considered. The model can be used to describe solid ionic conductors. In order to study the movement of cations on the sites of their sub-lattice, the lattice approximation of the theory is employed based on the calculation of the pair distribution function. Using the collective variables approach, a technique improving the starting expression for this function is proposed. Notably, the neglected terms in the expansion of this function are approximated by single-particle terms ensuring that the normalization condition is satisfied. As a result, the applicability of the theory is extended to a wide region of thermodynamic parameters. The chemical potential and the diffusion coefficient are calculated showing the possibility of phase transitions characteristic of the system.

cond-mat.stat-mech

The effect of short-range interaction and correlations on the charge and electric field distribution in a model solid electrolyte

A simple lattice model of a solid electrolyte presented as a xy-slab geometry system of mobile cations on a background of energetic landscape of the host system and a compensating field of uniformly distributed anions is studied. The system is confined in the z-direction between two oppositely charged walls, which are in parallel to xy-plane. Besides the long-range Coulomb interactions appearing in the system, the short-range attractive potential between cations is considered in our study. We propose the mean field description of this model and extend it by taking into account correlation effects at short distances. Using the free energy minimization at each of z-coordinates, the corresponding set of non-linear equations for the chemical potential is derived. The set of equations was solved numerically with respect to the charge density distribution in order to calculate the cations distribution profile and the electrostatic potential in the system along z-direction under different conditions. An asymmetry of charge distribution profile with respect to the midplane of the system is observed. The effects of the short-range interactions and pair correlations on the charge and electric field distributions are demonstrated.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Potential and charge-carrier concentration distributions in solid electrolyte between flat electrodes

Statistically studied are the equilibrium characteristics of a subsystem of mobile charges of one sort, taking into account the subsystem of fixed charges of the opposite sign creating a compensating electric background. The distribution of these charges under the influence of the external field is invariable. To represent free energy of the subsystem of mobile charges in the form of a functional of their density and to calculate cell potentials of the mean forces by the method of conditional distributions, a cumulant expansion with respect to the renormalized Mayer functions is used. To take into account the screening effects, the results of the collective variables method are used. A system of integral equations for the potentials of mean forces is obtained that accounts for the effects of near- and long-range interactions. The calculations are made in the lattice approximation. The correlation component distinguished in the expression for the binary distribution function makes it possible to calculate the correlated and uncorrelated parts of the electric potential using the Poisson equation. In the case of sufficiently small electric fields, a linear expansion of the chemical potential in terms of deviation of the charge concentration from the homogeneous distribution is considered. In final calculations the correlation between particles is taken into account in the approximation of the first neighbors. In this approximation the potential and charge concentration distribution is described by a linear differential equation of the fourth order. The results of its analytical solution and subsequent numerical calculations for the characteristics of solid electrolyte are analyzed.

cond-mat.other

Equilibrium properties of the lattice system with SALR interaction potential on a square lattice: quasi-chemical approximation versus Monte Carlo simulation

The lattice system with competing interactions that models biological objects (colloids, ensembles of protein molecules, etc.) is considered. This system is the lattice fluid on a square lattice with attractive interaction between nearest neighbours and repulsive interaction between next-next-nearest neighbours. The geometric order parameter is introduced for describing the ordered phases in this system. The critical value of the order parameter is estimated and the phase diagram of the system is constructed. The simple quasi-chemical approximation (QChA) is proposed for the system under consideration. The data of Monte Carlo simulation of equilibrium properties of the model are compared with the results of QChA. It is shown that QChA provides reasonable semiquantitative results for the systems studied and can be used as the basis for next order approximations.

cond-mat.soft

Contribution of cellular automata to the understanding of corrosion phenomena

We present a stochastic CA modelling approach of corrosion based on spatially separated electrochemical half-reactions, diffusion, acido-basic neutralization in solution and passive properties of the oxide layers. Starting from different initial conditions, a single framework allows one to describe generalised corrosion, localised corrosion, reactive and passive surfaces, including occluded corrosion phenomena as well. Spontaneous spatial separation of anodic and cathodic zones is associated with bare metal and passivated metal on the surface. This separation is also related to local acidification of the solution. This spontaneous change is associated with a much faster corrosion rate. Material morphology is closely related to corrosion kinetics, which can be used for technological applications.

physics.chem-ph

Maier-Saupe nematogenic fluid with isotropic Yukawa repulsion at a hard wall: Mean field approximation

The mean field approximation is formulated within the framework of the density field theory to study the properties of a Maier-Saupe nematogenic fluid near a hard wall. The density and the order parameter profiles are obtained using the analytical expressions derived in the linearized mean field approximation. The temperature dependencies of the contact values of the density and order parameter profiles are analyzed in detail. To estimate a validity of the applied approximations, the obtained theoretical results are compared with the original computer simulation data.

cond-mat.soft

Nematic fluid at a hard wall in the mean field approximation

In the framework of a field theoretical approach we study Maier-Saupe nematogenic fluid in contact with a hard wall. The pair interaction potential of the considered model consists of an isotropic and an anisotropic Yukawa terms. In the mean field approximation the contact theorem is proved. For the case of the nematic director being oriented perpendicular to the wall, analytical expressions for the density and order parameter profiles are obtained. It is shown that in a certain thermodynamic region the nematic fluid near the interface can be more diluted and less orientationally ordered than in the bulk region.

cond-mat.soft

Maier-Saupe nematogenic fluid: field theoretical approach

We adopt a field theoretical approach to study the structure and thermodynamics of a homogeneous Maier-Saupe nematogenic fluid interacting with anisotropic Yukawa potential. In the mean field approximation we retrieve the standard Maier-Saupe theory for liquid crystals. In this theory the density is expressed via the second order Legendre polynomial of molecule orientations. In the Gaussian approximation we obtain analytical expressions for the correlation functions, the elasticity constant, the free energy, the pressure, and the chemical potential. We also use Ward symmetry identities to set a simple condition for the correlation functions. Subsequently we find corrections due to fluctuations and show that density now contains Legendre polynomials of higher orders.

cond-mat.soft

Spontaneous polarisation of the neutral interface for valence asymmetric coulombic systems

In this paper, we discuss the phenomenon of a spontaneous polarisation of a neutral hard planar interface for valence asymmetric coulombic systems. Within a field theoretical description, we account for the existence of non trivial charge density and electric potential profiles. The analysis of the phenomenon shows that the effect is related to combinatorics in relation with the existence of the two independent species cations and anions. This simple and basic feature is related to the quantum mechanical properties of the system. The theoretical results are compared with numerical simulations data and are shown to be in very good agreement, which a fortiori justifies our physical interpretation.

cond-mat.soft

Simple field theoretical approach of Coulomb systems. Entropic effects

We discuss a new simple field theory approach of Coulomb systems. Using a description in terms of fields, we introduce in a new way the statistical degrees of freedom in relation with the quantum mechanics. We show on a series of examples that these fundamental entropic effects can help account for physical phenomena in relation with Coulomb systems whether symmetric or also asymmetric in valence. On the overall, this gives a new understanding of these systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech

On the contact conditions for the charge profile in the theory of the electrical double layer for nonsymmetrical electrolytes

The contact value of the charge profile for nonsymmetrical electrolytes is presented as the sum of three contributions. One of them is the normal component of the Maxwell electrostatic stress tensor. The second one is the surface electrostatic property defined as the integral of the product of the gradient of the electrical potential and the density distribution function of coions. The third term is the bulk contribution defined by the sum for anions and for cations of the product of their charge and their partial pressure. For noncharged surfaces only the last two are present and have the same sign in the case of size asymmetry. In the case of charge asymmetry the contact value of the charge profile is the result of the competitions of bulk and surface terms in which the bulk term is dominant. Using both the contact theorems for the density and the charge profiles, the exact expressions for the contact values of the profiles of coions and counterions are obtained and some related properties are discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech

A formally exact field theory for classical systems at equilibrium

We propose a formally exact statistical field theory for describing classical fluids with ingredients similar to those introduced in quantum field theory. We consider the following essential and related problems : i) how to find the correct field functional (Hamiltonian) which determines the partition function, ii) how to introduce in a field theory the equivalent of the indiscernibility of particles, iii) how to test the validity of this approach. We can use a simple Hamiltonian in which a local functional transposes, in terms of fields, the equivalent of the indiscernibility of particles. The diagrammatic expansion and the renormalization of this term is presented. This corresponds to a non standard problem in Feynman expansion and requires a careful investigation. Then a non-local term associated with an interaction pair potential is introduced in the Hamiltonian. It has been shown that there exists a mapping between this approach and the standard statistical mechanics given in terms of Mayer function expansion. We show on three properties (the chemical potential, the so-called contact theorem and the interfacial properties) that in the field theory the correlations are shifted on non usual quantities. Some perspectives of the theory are given.

cond-mat.soft