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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Structural and chemical changes in hardwood cell walls during early stages of flash pyrolysis

Volatile products from thermal decomposition of lignocellulosic biomass have been well characterized, but the solid- and liquid-phase reactions during the early stages of decomposition are largely unknown. Here the initial solid-phase biomass thermal deconstruction reactions were analyzed in situ and with high particle heating rates, delineating how these processes occur. A variety of instrumentation was used to quantify the extent and relative rates of deconstruction, demonstrating that biopolymers resist the thermally energetic conditions to differing degrees, even when ensconced in biomass cell walls. Hemicellulose and the more frangible lignin components decompose and volatilize more readily than cellulose, which temporarily enriches biomass with cellulose. These chemical changes manifest in larger cell wall structural and mechanical property transformations. In all, this investigation concludes that these solid-phase reactions strongly influence the production rates of volatile species and will require additional study before these processes can be modeled precisely to improve yields of desired product.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fundamental Structure/Property Studies of Gas Separation Membrane Polymers

Solution-processable polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) present opportunities for new gas separation membranes. We plan to develop systematic structure/property relations for this relatively new class of membrane materials. The fundamental questions we will address are: (1) How do chemical structure modifications of PBIs influence their gas solubility, diffusivity and permeability properties for a systematic series of gases? (2) Is the separation performance of PBIs affected by plasticization under operating conditions that are relevant to, for example, natural gas purification or olefin/paraffin separation and, if so, can this family of materials be tuned structurally to minimize deleterious effects of plasticization on separation properties? (3) What is the effect of water vapor on PBI separation performance? (4) What is the influence of physical aging on permeation properties of thin (i.e., <1 µm) PBI polymer films, and how does the rate of physical aging relate to polymer chemical structure? The primary focus of this research program is to develop a fundamental, molecular-based mechanistic understanding of the influence of chemical structure on the gas transport properties of PBIs and to establish structure/property relationships for this unique platform of materials.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2019

Multi-scale observations of structure and chemical composition changes of portland cement systems during hydration

There is little agreement about the mechanisms and few direct observations of the transition of cement paste from a slurry to a solid. This paper uses four different imaging techniques at multiple length scales (from 15.6 nm to 1 μm) to follow the three-dimensional microstructural evolution of portland cement, and monoclinic tricalcium silicate (mC 3 S) paste over the first 16 h of hydration. Measurements of over 60,000 particles captured every 10 min were made at the micron scale. Nanoscale examinations of the structure and chemical composition are used to support this work. The results show that hydration products with an average Ca/Si > 3 form on and near the surface of the hydrating particles prior to the acceleration period that appears to control the reaction rate. These hydration products appear to change in chemical composition as more rapid dissolution of C 3 S and formation of hydration products occur during the acceleration period. The findings are used to provide insights into the origin of the induction and acceleration periods during hydration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Toward epitaxially grown two-dimensional crystal hetero-structures: Single and double MoS{sub 2}/graphene hetero-structures by chemical vapor depositions

Uniform large-size MoS{sub 2}/graphene hetero-structures fabricated directly on sapphire substrates are demonstrated with layer-number controllability by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images provide the direct evidences of layer numbers of MoS{sub 2}/graphene hetero-structures. Photo-excited electron induced Fermi level shift of the graphene channel are observed on the single MoS{sub 2}/graphene hetero-structure transistors. Furthermore, double hetero-structures of graphene/MoS{sub 2}/graphene are achieved by CVD fabrication of graphene layers on top of the MoS{sub 2}, as confirmed by the cross-sectional HRTEM. These results have paved the possibility of epitaxially grown multi-hetero-structures for practical applications.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Examining the Chemical and Structural Properties that Influence the Sensitivity of Energetic Nitrate Esters

The sensitivity of explosives is controlled by factors that span from intrinsic chemical reactivity and chemical intramolecular effects to mesoscale structure and defects, and has been a topic of extensive study for over 50 years. Due to these complex competing chemical and physical elements, a unifying relationship between molecular framework, crystal structure, and sensitivity has yet to be developed. In order to move towards this goal, ideally experimental studies should be performed on systems with small, systematic structural modifications, with modeling utilized to interpret experimental results. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a common nitrate ester explosive that has been widely studied due to its use in military and commercial explosives. We have synthesized PETN derivatives with modified sensitivity characteristics by substituting the CCH 2 ONO 2 moiety with other substituents, including CH, CNH 2 , CNH3X, CCH 3 , and PO. We relate the handling sensitivity properties of each PETN derivative to its structural properties, and discuss the potential roles of thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity and heat of formation, thermal stability, crystal structure, compressibility, and inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on impact sensitivity. Reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the C/H/N/O-based PETN-derivatives have been performed under cook-off conditions that mimic those accessed in impact tests. As a result, these simulations infer how changes in chemistry affect the subsequent decomposition pathways.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

A computational study of the thermodynamic conditions leading to autoignition in nanosecond pulsed discharges

Nanosecond pulsed discharges have attracted the attention of engine manufacturers due to the possibility of attaining distributed ignition sites that accelerate burn rates while resulting in very little electrode erosion. Multidimensional modeling tools currently capture the electrical structure of such discharges accurately, but resolving the chemical structure remains a challenging problem owing to the disparity of time-scales in streamer propagation (nanoseconds) and ignition phenomena (microseconds). The purpose of this study is to extend multidimensional results towards resolving the chemical structure in the wake of streamers (or the afterglow) by using a batch reactor model. This can afford the use of very detailed chemical kinetic information. The full non-equilibrium nature of the electrons is taken into account, along with fast gas heating, shock wave propagation, and thermal diffusion. The results shed light on ignition phenomena brought about by such discharges.

ignition, plasma, kinetics↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Computational Study of the Thermodynamic Conditions Leading to Autoignition in Nanosecond Pulsed Discharges

Nanosecond pulsed discharges have attracted the attention of engine manufacturers due to the possibility of attaining distributed ignition sites that accelerate burn rates while resulting in very little electrode erosion. Multidimensional modeling tools currently capture the electrical structure of such discharges accurately, but resolving the chemical structure remains a challenging problem owing to the disparity of time-scales in streamer propagation (nanoseconds) and ignition phenomena (microseconds). The purpose of this study is to extend multidimensional results toward resolving the chemical structure in the wake of streamers (or the afterglow) by using a batch reactor model (BRM). This can afford the use of very detailed chemical kinetic information. The full nonequilibrium nature of the electrons is taken into account, along with fast gas heating, shock wave propagation, and thermal diffusion. The results shed light on ignition phenomena brought about by such discharges.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2013

The impact of crystal symmetry on the electronic structure and functional properties of complex lanthanum chromium oxides

Complex oxides exhibit a wide range of crystal structures, chemical compositions and physical properties. The underlying drivers determining the complicated structure-composition-property phase diagrams are the relative positions and orbital overlaps between the metal cations and the oxygen anions. Here we report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the structure and bonding in a series of lanthanum chromium oxides prepared by reactive molecular beam epitaxy. Of particular interest is the charge state and local coordination of the Cr. We have stabilized LaCrO 3 , LaCrO 4 and La 2 CrO 6 films by controlling the three elemental fluxes during deposition, and have carried out x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoemission, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy, as well as first-principles calculations, to determine structure, charge state, chemical bonding, and electronic structure. Significant changes in bonding character and orbital interaction are revealed with decreasing ligand symmetry from octahedral to tetrahedral Cr coordination. Both LaCrO 4 and LaCrO 6 with tetrahedrally coordinated Cr show strong pre-edge features in the Cr K-edge near-edge structure whereas LaCrO 3 with octahedrally coordinated Cr exhibits very weak pre-edge features. The origin of these pre-edge features is discussed based on various selection rules and ligand symmetry. We also demonstrate an increase in cation-anion orbital hybridization and a decrease in long-range ligand coupling induced by this symmetry reduction. These in turn result in dramatic modifications of the macroscopic optical and magnetic properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Orientation dependences of atomic structures in chemically heterogeneous Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50}/Ta glass-crystal interfaces

Molecular dynamics simulations based on an angular-dependent potential were performed to examine the structural properties of chemically heterogeneous interfaces between amorphous Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50} and crystalline Ta. Several phenomena, namely, layering, crystallization, intermixing, and composition segregation, were observed in the Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50} region adjacent to the Ta layers. These interfacial behaviors are found to depend on the orientation of the underlying Ta substrate: Layering induced by Ta(110) extends the farthest into Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50}, crystallization in the Cu{sub 50}Ta{sub 50} region is most significant for interface against Ta(100), while inter-diffusion is most pronounced for Ta(111). It turns out that the induced layering behavior is dominated by the interlayer distances of the underlying Ta layers, while the degree of inter-diffusion is governed by the openness of the Ta crystalline layers. In addition, composition segregations are observed in all interface models, corresponding to the immiscible nature of the Cu-Ta system. Furthermore, Voronoi polyhedra 〈0,5,2,6〉 and 〈0,4,4,6〉 are found to be abundant in the vicinity of the interfaces for all models, whose presence is believed to facilitate the structural transition between amorphous and body centered cubic.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Mapping Functional Substrate–Enzyme Interactions in the pol β Active Site through Chemical Biology: Structural Responses to Acidity Modification of Incoming dNTPs

We report high-resolution crystal structures of DNA polymerase (pol) β in ternary complex with a panel of incoming dNTPs carrying acidity-modified 5'-triphosphate groups. These novel dNTP analogues have a variety of halomethylene substitutions replacing the bridging oxygen between Pβ and Pγ of the incoming dNTP, whereas other analogues have alkaline substitutions at the bridging oxygen. Use of these analogues allows the first systematic comparison of effects of 5'-triphosphate acidity modification on active site structures and the rate constant of DNA synthesis. These ternary complex structures with incoming dATP, dTTP, and dCTP analogues reveal the enzyme’s active site is not grossly altered by the acidity modifications of the triphosphate group, yet with analogues of all three incoming dNTP bases, subtle structural differences are apparent in interactions around the nascent base pair and at the guanidinium groups of active site arginine residues. Lastly, these results are important for understanding how acidity modification of the incoming dNTP’s 5'-triphosphate can influence DNA polymerase activity and the significance of interactions at arginines 183 and 149 in the active site.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of britholites Ca{sub 10−x}La{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6−x}(SiO{sub 4}){sub x}F{sub 2} (0 ≤ x ≤ 6): Experiment and theory

Highlights: • The structural and electronic properties of apatites with the general formula Ca{sub 10−x}La{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6−x}(SiO{sub 4}){sub x}F{sub 2} (0 ≤ x ≤ 6) have been investigated by means of the density functional theory. • The calculated enthalpy of formation of the compounds increased with the substitution degree. • The decrease in stability is probably due to the disorder induced in the Ca/LaO{sub 6}F polyhedron, following the substitution. - Abstract: The apatite-type compounds Ca{sub 10−x}La{sub x}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6−x}(SiO{sub 4}){sub x}F{sub 2} with 0 ≤ x ≤ 6 were prepared using a high temperature solid state reaction and were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure, chemical bonding, electronic structure and formation energy of all relaxed structures were analyzed by density functional theory (DFT). The calculated results show that the predicted geometry can well reproduce the structural parameters. The incorporation of La{sup 3+} into the fluorapatite (FA) structure induced especially at the level of the S(2) sites a certain disorder which is responsible for the weakening in the stability with x. Excellent agreement were obtained between the calculated and experimental results. Moreover, the band structure indicates that despite the reduction of the band gap with x content all materials remain insulating.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

The advanced evolution of massive stars

The nuclear rates for reactions involving 12 C and 16 O are key to computing the energy release and nucleosynthesis evolution of massive stars during their advanced burning phases. Ultimately, these burning rates shape the stellar structure and evolution and influence the nature of the compact objects produced at the end of the stellar life. We explore the implications of new nuclear reaction rates from both experimental and theoretical studies for 12 C(α, γ) 16 ​O, 12 C+ 12​ C, 12 C+ 16 ​O, and 16 O+ 16 ​O reactions for massive stars. Our goal is to investigate how the chemical structure and nucleosynthesis evolve from the He-exhaustion stage to the O-burning phase and how these processes influence the ultimate stellar fate. We computed rotating and non-rotating models for stars of different masses at solar metallicity. We used the stellar evolution code GENEC, which includes a large network of nuclear reactions and isotopes involved in advanced phases, as well as updated rates for 12 C(α,γ) 16 O. For the three fusion reactions involving 12 C and 16 O, we considered new rates following a data-driven fusion suppression scenario (hereafter HIN(RES)) and new theoretical rates obtained with time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) calculations. The updated 12 C(α, γ) 16 ​O rates mainly impact the chemical structure evolution changing the 12 C/ 16 O ratio at He-exhaustion and have little effect on the CO core mass. This variation in the 12 C/ 16 O ratio is in some cases critical for predicting the final fate of the model, which is very sensitive to 12 C abundance, and in particular the 20 M ⊙ remnant may change from a black hole to a neutron star. The He-burning (C-burning) lifetime is also decreased (increased) by about −2% (+15%). The combined new rates for 12 C+ 12 ​C and 16 O+ 16 ​O fusion reactions according to the HIN(RES) model lead to shorter C- and O-burning lifetimes by ≈ − 10%, and −50%, respectively, and shift the ignition conditions to higher temperatures and densities. In contrast, the theoretical TDHF rates primarily affect C-burning, increasing its duration by about 30% and lowering the ignition temperature. These changes modify the chemical structure of the core, the size and duration of C-burning shells, and hence their compactness. They also impact the central and shell nucleosynthesis (by ±1 dex and by factors of ±2–10, respectively), while 12 C+ 16 ​O reaction rates variations remain the least important.

abundances↗
DOE OSTI2011

XANES and IR spectroscopy study of the electronic structure and chemical composition of porous silicon on n- and p-type substrates

The differences in the electronic structure and composition of porous silicon samples obtained under identical conditions of electrochemical etching on the most commonly used n- and p-type substrates with different conductivities are demonstrated by X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. It is shown that significantly higher oxidation and saturation with hydrogen is observed for the porous layer on n-type substrates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Hidden structural and chemical order controls lithium transport in cation-disordered oxides for rechargeable batteries

Structure plays a vital role in determining materials properties. In lithium ion cathode materials, the crystal structure defines the dimensionality and connectivity of interstitial sites, thus determining lithium ion diffusion kinetics. In most conventional cathode materials that are well-ordered, the average structure as seen in diffraction dictates the lithium ion diffusion pathways. Here, we show that this is not the case in a class of recently discovered high-capacity lithium-excess rocksalts. An average structure picture is no longer satisfactory to understand the performance of such disordered materials. Cation short-range order, hidden in diffraction, is not only ubiquitous in these long-range disordered materials, but fully controls the local and macroscopic environments for lithium ion transport. Our discovery identifies a crucial property that has previously been overlooked and provides guidelines for designing and engineering cation-disordered cathode materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Evolution of the Structure and Chemical State of Pd Nanoparticles During the in Situ Catalytic Reduction of NO with H2

An in-depth understanding of the fundamental structure of catalysts during operation is indispensable for tailoring future efficient and selective catalysts. We report the evolution of the structure and oxidation state of ZrO{sub 2}-supported Pd nanocatalysts (5 nm) during the in situ reduction of NO with H{sub 2} using X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Prior to the onset of the reaction ({le}120 C), a NO-induced redispersion of our initial metallic Pd nanoparticles over the ZrO{sub 2} support was observed, and Pd{sup {delta}+} species were detected. This process parallels the high production of N{sub 2}O observed at the onset of the reaction (>120 C), while at higher temperatures ({ge}150 C) the selectivity shifts mainly toward N{sub 2} ({approx}80%). Concomitant with the onset of N{sub 2} production, the Pd atoms aggregate again into large (6.5 nm) metallic Pd nanoparticles, which were found to constitute the active phase for the H{sub 2}-reduction of NO. Throughout the entire reaction cycle, the formation and stabilization of PdO{sub x} was not detected. Our results highlight the importance of in situ reactivity studies to unravel the microscopic processes governing catalytic reactivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Ab initio investigations of the electronic structures and chemical bonding in LiCo{sub 6}P{sub 4} and Li{sub 2}Co{sub 12}P{sub 7}

The electronic structures of the metal-rich phosphides LiCo{sub 6}P{sub 4} and Li{sub 2}Co{sub 12}P{sub 7} were studied by DFT calculations. Both phosphides consist of three-dimensional [Co{sub 6}P{sub 4}] and [Co{sub 12}P{sub 7}] polyanionic networks which leave hexagonal channels for the lithium atoms. COOP data show strong Co–P and Co–Co bonding within the polyanions. The lithium atoms have trigonal prismatic phosphorus coordination. Total energy calculations indicate stability upon de-lithiation towards the Co{sub 6}P{sub 4} and Co{sub 12}P{sub 7} substructures - Graphical abstract: The cobalt–phosphorus networks in LiCo{sub 6}P{sub 4} and Li{sub 2}Co{sub 12}P{sub 7}. - Highlights: • Chemical bonding resolved in the metal-rich phosphides LiCo{sub 6}P{sub 4} and Li{sub 2}Co{sub 12}P{sub 7}. • Strong covalent Co–P bonding character in the [Co{sub 6}P{sub 4}] and [Co{sub 12}P{sub 7}] substructures. • Total energy calculations indicate stability of the de-lithiated substructures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

The effect of irradiation on the atomic structure and chemical durability of calcite and dolomite

When exposed to irradiation—e.g., in nuclear power plant environments—minerals may experience alterations in their atomic structure which, in turn, result in changes in their physical and chemical properties. Herein, we mimic via Ar + implantation the effects of neutron irradiation on calcite (CaCO 3 ) and dolomite (CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 ) – two carbonate minerals that often find use as aggregates in concrete: a material that is extensively used in the construction of critical structural and safety components in nuclear power plants. By a pioneering combination of nanoscale quantifications of mineral dissolution rates (i.e., a proxy for chemical durability) in alkaline solutions, vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy, and molecular simulations, we find that irradiation minimally affects the atomic structure and properties of these carbonate minerals. This insensitivity to radiation arises from the predominantly ionic nature of the interatomic bonds in these minerals which can relax and recover their initial configuration, thus ensuring minimal damage and permanent alterations to these minerals following radiation exposure. The outcomes have significant implications on the selection, use, and specification of mineral aggregates for use in nuclear concrete construction.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗
DOE OSTI2024

Chemical Environment and Structural Variations in High Entropy Oxide Thin Film Probed with Electron Microscopy

For this work, we employ analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to correlate the structural and chemical environment variations within a stacked epitaxial thin film of the high entropy oxide (HEO) Mg 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.2 O (J14), with two layers grown at different substrate temperatures (500 and 200 °C) using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Electron diffraction and atomically resolved STEM imaging reveal the difference in out-of-plane lattice parameters in the stacked thin film, which is further quantified on a larger scale using four-dimensional STEM (4D-STEM). In the layer deposited at a lower temperature, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping indicates drastic changes in the oxidation states and bonding environment for Co ions, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping detects more significant cation deficiency. Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations validate that vacancies on the cation sublattice of J14 result in significant electronic and structural changes. The experimental and computational analyses indicate that low temperatures during film growth result in cation deficiency, an altered chemical environment, and reduced lattice parameters while maintaining a single phase. Our results demonstrate that the complex correlation of configurational entropy, kinetics, and thermodynamics can be utilized for accessing a range of metastable configurations in HEO materials without altering cation proportions, enabling further engineering of functional properties of HEO materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗