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Sancier, K. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Sancier, K. M..

17 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Characterization of solar-grade silicon produced by the SiF4-Na process

A process was developed for producing low cost solar grade silicon by the reaction between SiF4 gas and sodium metal. The results of the characterization of the silicon are presented. These results include impurity levels, electronic properties of the silicon after crystal growth, and the performance of solar photovoltaic cells fabricated from wafers of the single crystals. The efficiency of the solar cells fabricated from semiconductor silicon and SiF4-Na silicon was the same.

Sanjurjo, A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Sodium Spray Would Speed Silicon Production

Production rate of solar-grade silicon in sodium/silicon tetrafluoride reactor increase by spray feed. Liquid-sodium droplet size is controlled by pressure of argon gas and by nozzle design. Baffle helps to prevent reactor opening from becoming clogged by reaction products.

Sancier, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Extracting Silicon From Sodium-Process Products

New acid leaching process purifies silicon produced in reaction between silicon fluoride and sodium. Concentration of sodium fluoride and other impurities and byproducts remaining in silicon are within acceptable ranges for semi-conductor devices. Leaching process makes sodium reduction process more attractive for making large quantities of silicon for solar cells.

Kapur, V.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Silicon oxidation in fluoride solutions

Silicon is produced in a NaF, Na2SiF6, and Na matrix when SiF4 is reduced by metallic sodium. Hydrogen is evolved during acid leaching to separate the silicon from the accompanying reaction products, NaF and Na2SiF6. The hydrogen evolution reaction was studied under conditions simulating leaching conditions by making suspensions of the dry silicon powder in aqueous fluoride solutions. The mechanism for the hydrogen evolution is discussed in terms of spontaneous oxidation of silicon resulting from the cooperative effects of (1) elemental sodium in the silicon that reacts with water to remove a protective silica layer, leaving clean reactive silicon, and (2) fluoride in solution that complexes with the oxidized silicon in solution and retards formation of a protective hydrous oxide gel.

Sancier, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Novel duplex vapor-electrochemical method for silicon solar cells

A process was developed for the economic production of high purity Si from inexpensive reactants, based on the Na reduction of SiF4 gas. The products of reaction (NaF, Si) are separated by either aqueous leaching or by direct melting of the NaF-Si product mixture. Impurities known to degrade solar cell performance are all present at sufficiently low concentrations so that melt solidification (e.g., Czochralski) will provide a silicon material suitable for solar cells.

Nanis, L.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Novel duplex vapor-electrochemical method for silicon solar cells

The dependence of the SiF4 Na reaction initiation time and of the efficiency of the reaction on Na particle size and reaction temperature were studied. Close to 100 percent utilization of Na was obtained, and formation of byproduct fluoro-silicate was decreased to below 10 percent. A SiF4 Na reactor was built to scale up the reaction by a factor of about four and is now being tested. A scaled up melting system was built and successfully used to separate Si from kilogram quantities of SiF4 NaF mixtures. Support studies of the volatilization of NaF performed in a smaller melting system indicated minimal loss of NaF as vapor at 1410 C. The wetting of graphite was also investigated to determine the constituents of the NaF phase which promote good wetting.

Nanis, L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Novel duplex vapor electrochemical method for silicon solar cells

Progress in the development of low-cost solar arrays is reported. Topics covered include: (1) development of a simplified feed system for the Na used in the Na-SiF4 reactor; (2) production of high purity silicon through the reduction of sodium fluosilicate with sodium metal; (3) the leaching process for recovering silicon from the reaction products of the SiF4-Na reaction; and (4) silicon separation by the melting of the reaction product.

Kapur, V.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Passivation of pigment particles for thermal control coatings

The preparation of a matrix of 48 samples consisting of pigments and pigmented paints is described. The results obtained from testing these samples by electron spin resonance and by in situ spectral reflectance measurements in space simulation tests are presented. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are given.

Sancier, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Passivation of pigment particles for thermal control coatings

Various redox couple surface additives are studied which increase the photostability of coprecipitated zinc orthotitanate pigment. The electron spin resonance technique was used to examine the characteristic photodamage centers. Results indicate that cerium surface redox additive completely passivates the pigment at the surface concentrations studied. Less passivation occurs with the iridium chloride and the iron cyanide redox couples.

Sancier, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Passivation of pigment particles for thermal control coatings

Five powders were received for plasma calcining during this report period. The particle size using a fluid energy mill, and obtained pigments that could be plasma calcined. Optimum results are obtained in the plasma calcining of zinc orthotitanate when finely dispersed particles are subjected to a calculated plasma temperature of 1670 C. Increasing the plasma calcining time by using multiple passes through the plasma stabilized the pigment to vacuum UV irradiation was evidenced by the resulting ESR spectra but slightly decreased the whiteness of the pigment. The observed darkening is apparently associated with the formation of Ti(+3) color centers.

Farley, E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Oxidation of organic molecules by photoproduced holes of ZnO.

Two experimental techniques were developed. In the first, an electrochemical method was used with a single crystal ZnO electrode and with the material of interest dissolved in the electrolyte. In the other an electron spin resonance method was used so that measurements related to thermal control coatings could be made with the ZnO in the form of powder, either alone or in formulation of a binder. A simplified model regarding the relationship between the electron density and time is considered.

Sancier, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Oxidation of vehicle components by photoproduced holes.

The oxidation by ZnO holes of vehicle components in thermal control coatings has been examined to develop experimental methods to study such reactions and to identify what components to avoid because of their instability when in the presence of u.v.-produced holes. Two methods were used that show consistent results. An electrochemical technique with a single crystal ZnO anode was used for quantitative comparisons, and electron spin resonance was used to study more practical powder/vehicle systems. Alcohols and dioxane were shown to be readily oxidized by ZnO holes, whereas acetonitrile, neopentane, and ethyl acetate were oxidation resistant. Some resistance to the photooxidation was provided by recombination centers.

Sancier, K. M.↗