Controlled tuning of HOMO and LUMO levels in supramolecular nano-Saturn complexes†

Abstract

Optoelectronics usually deals with the fabrication of devices that can interconvert light and electrical energy using semiconductors. The modification of electronic properties is crucial in the field of optoelectronics. The tuning of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) and their energy gaps is of paramount interest in this domain. Herein, three nano-Saturn supramolecular complex systems are designed, i.e., Al₁₂N₁₂@S-belt, Mg₁₂O₁₂@S-belt, and B₁₂P₁₂@S-belt, using S-belt as the host and Al₁₂N₁₂, Mg₁₂O₁₂, and B₁₂P₁₂ nanocages as guests. The high interaction energies ranging from −22.03 to −63.64 kcal mol⁻¹ for the complexes demonstrate the stability of these host–guest complexes. Frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis shows that the HOMO of the complexes originates from the HOMO of the host, and the LUMO of the complexes originate entirely from the LUMO of the guests. The partial density of states (PDOS) analysis is in corroboration with FMO, which provides graphical illustration of the origin of HOMO and LUMO levels and the energy gaps. The shift in the electron density upon complexation is demonstrated by the natural bond orbital (NBO) charge analysis. For the Al₁₂N₁₂@S-belt and B₁₂P₁₂@S-belt complexes, the direction of electron density shift is towards the guest species, as indicated by the overall negative charge on encapsulated Al₁₂N₁₂ and B₁₂P₁₂. For the Mg₁₂O₁₂@S-belt complex, the overall NBO charge is positive, elaborating the direction of overall shift of electronic density towards the S-belt. Electron density difference (EDD) analysis verifies and corroborates with these findings. Noncovalent interaction index (NCI) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses signify that the complexes are stabilized via van der Waals interactions. Absorption analysis explains that all the complexes absorb in the ultraviolet (UV) region. Overall, this study explains the formation of stable host–guest supramolecular nano-Saturn complexes along with the controlled tuning of HOMO and LUMO levels over the host and guests, respectively.