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DOE OSTI · 2538028

Observation of the spiral spin liquid in a triangular-lattice material

Andriushin, N. D. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000154008719)·Nikitin, Stanislav E. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland)] (ORCID:0000000184951038)·Fjellvåg, Ø. S. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland); Institute for Energy Technology (Norway)] (ORCID:0000000302155260)·White, Jonathon S. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland)] (ORCID:0000000177380150)·Podlesnyak, Andrew A. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000193666319)·Inosov, Dmytro S. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000306392503)·Rahn, Marein C. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany); Univ. of Augsburg (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000174038288)·Schmidt, M. [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany)]·Baenitz, M. [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000187420195)·Sukhanov, A. S. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany); Univ. of Augsburg (Germany)]
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Abstract

The spiral spin liquid (SSL) is a highly degenerate state characterized by a continuous contour or surface in reciprocal space spanned by a spiral propagation vector. Although the SSL state has been predicted in a number of various theoretical models, very few materials are so far experimentally identified to host such a state. Via combined single-crystal wide-angle and small-angle neutron scattering, we report observation of the SSL in the quasi-two-dimensional delafossite-like AgCrSe 2 . We show that it is a very close realization of the ideal Heisenberg J 1 –J 2 –J 3 frustrated model on the triangular lattice. By supplementing our experimental results with microscopic spin-dynamics simulations, we demonstrate how such exotic magnetic states are driven by thermal fluctuations and exchange frustration.

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCEmagnetic properties and materials

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Andriushin, N. D. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000154008719), Nikitin, Stanislav E. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland)] (ORCID:0000000184951038), Fjellvåg, Ø. S. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland); Institute for Energy Technology (Norway)] (ORCID:0000000302155260), White, Jonathon S. [Paul Scherrer Inst. (PSI), Villigen (Switzerland)] (ORCID:0000000177380150), Podlesnyak, Andrew A. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)] (ORCID:0000000193666319), Inosov, Dmytro S. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000306392503), Rahn, Marein C. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany); Univ. of Augsburg (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000174038288), Schmidt, M. [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany)], Baenitz, M. [Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden (Germany)] (ORCID:0000000187420195), Sukhanov, A. S. [Technische Universität Dresden (Germany); Univ. of Augsburg (Germany)]. 2025-03-17. Observation of the spiral spin liquid in a triangular-lattice material. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-57319-2

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DOE OSTI2026

Cyclic moisture reactivation of calcium sorbents for long duration thermochemical energy storage

The transition to a flexible and reliable energy infrastructure, using electro-thermal energy generation technologies such as geothermal, concentrated solar power, and nuclear, usually demands simultaneous advancement of thermal energy storage (TES) to support on-demand electricity generation and industrial applications while mitigating the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources and power outages from direct energy generation. Among TES technologies, thermochemical energy storage (TCES) based on calcium looping emerges as a compelling high-power energy storage candidate due to its high reaction enthalpy, compatibility with elevated operating temperatures, and abundance of low-cost materials. However, the long-term durability of calcium-based sorbents for TCES is hindered by surface sintering and particle aggregation, leading to performance degradation over repeated thermal cycles. This study explores a moisture hydration-based strategy to regenerate a degraded calcium sorbent and mitigate performance degradation for long duration TCES. The addition of moisture transforms calcium oxide into calcium hydroxide and produces intercalation water layers, associated with a regenerated surface area and reduced calcium oxide crystallite size. Both these effects are beneficial in restoring the sorbents' reactivity for carbonization. Additionally, an optimized hydration-assisted reactivation protocol balances the recovered energy storage capacity with heating penalty required for moisture removal from hydrated samples, resulting in an enhanced energy storage capacity up to 176% compared to benchmark sorbents that undergo cycling without reactivation after 60 cycles. In conclusion, these results highlight the potential of hydration-assisted reactivation to enhance the long-term performance of TCES, providing an effective pathway to advancing electro-thermal storage technologies.

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