Sensitivity of pure and Ni-decorated boron nitride B12N12 nanocages toward CH4, H2S, and N2 biogases: A DFT study

The sensitivity of pure and Ni-decorated boron nitride (B12N12) nanocages toward CH4, H2S, and N2 biogases was adequately unveiled by employing versatile density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In this regard, the Gas∙∙∙B12N12 and ∙∙∙Ni@B12N12 complexes were studied within all possible configurations. Based on the energetic quantities, the Ni@B12N12 nanocage exhibited higher sensitivity than the pure one toward the investigated gases. Among all studied complexes, the H2S∙∙∙Ni@B12N12 complex exhibited the most favorable adsorption (Eads) and interaction (Eint) energies with values of –29.25 and –29.46 kcal/mol, respectively. According to the outlines of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and noncovalent interaction (NCI) index analyses, the closed-shell nature of the interactions within the investigated complexes was ensured. Substantial alterations in the molecular orbitals distribution patterns of pure and Ni-decorated B12N12 nanocages were observed, announcing the occurrence of the adsorption process within the investigated complexes. The obtained negative values of thermodynamic parameters ensured the spontaneous exothermic nature of the investigated Ni-decorated complexes. Upon density of states (DOS) analysis, the influence of adsorbed gases on the electronic characteristics of the pure and Ni-decorated B12N12 nanocages was highlighted. According to the emerging findings, the pure and Ni-decorated B12N12 nanocages are promising sensing materials for biogas components, especially CH4, H2S, and N2 gases.