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At least 235 records · Page 13

Compositional Phase Control in High-Entropy Alloy Electrocatalysts

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) provide uniquely tunable structural and electronic properties that enable robust electrocatalysis. While compositional manipulation of HEAs is well-known, systematically controlling the crystalline phase and morphology remains a challenge that could provide new avenues for controlling reactive sites and physical properties. Here, we show the preferential stabilization of mixed fcc/bcc to fcc phases by controlling the Au content in quinary AuPdFeCoNi HEA nanoparticles. This systematic structural and compositional control, when investigated with an ensemble of electronic, X-ray synchrotron, and surface techniques, allows us to identify the critical short- (few-Å) and medium- (6–10 Å) range structural motifs that deliver exceptional hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysis. Specifically, these HEAs exhibit both outstanding durability (240 h) and high mass activity (50 A/mg PGM ) normalized to noble metal content, outperforming commercial Pt/C (3.18 A/mg PGM ). This structural control over HEA morphology, and its direct association with changes in specific metallic oxidation states and pair–pair atomic structural features, provides new means and strategies for finely designing robust and sustainable electrocatalysts with a majority nonprecious metal composition.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Contact in the Unitary Fermi Gas across the Superfluid Phase Transition

A quantity known as the contact is a fundamental thermodynamic property of quantum many-body systems with short-range interactions. Determination of the temperature dependence of the contact for the unitary Fermi gas of infinite scattering length has been a major challenge, with different calculations yielding qualitatively different results. Here we use finite-temperature auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo (AFMC) methods on the lattice within the canonical ensemble to calculate the temperature dependence of the contact for the homogeneous spin-balanced unitary Fermi gas. We extrapolate to the continuum limit for 40, 66, and 114 particles, eliminating systematic errors due to finite-range effects. We observe a dramatic decrease in the contact as the superfluid critical temperature is approached from below, followed by a gradual weak decrease as the temperature increases in the normal phase. Our theoretical results are in excellent agreement with the most recent precision ultracold atomic gas experiments. Here, we also present results for the energy as a function of temperature in the continuum limit.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Screening of Therapeutic Agents for COVID-19 Using Machine Learning and Ensemble Docking Studies

The current pandemic demands a search for therapeutic agents against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In this work, we present an efficient computational strategy that combines machine learning (ML)-based models and high-fidelity ensemble docking studies to enable rapid screening of possible therapeutic ligands. Targeting the binding affinity of molecules for either the isolated SARS-CoV-2 S-protein at its host receptor region or the S-protein:human ACE2 interface complex, we screen ligands from drug and biomolecule data sets that can potentially limit and/or disrupt the host-virus interactions. Top scoring one hundred eighty-seven ligands (with 75 approved by the Food and Drug Administration) are further validated by all atom docking studies. Important molecular descriptors ( 2 χ n , topological surface area, and ring count) and promising chemical fragments (oxolane, hydroxy, and imidazole) are identified to guide future experiments. Overall, this work expands our knowledge of small-molecule treatment against COVID-19 and provides a general screening pathway (combining quick ML models with expensive high-fidelity simulations) for targeting several chemical/biochemical problems.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Elucidating CO Oxidation Pathways on Rh Atoms and Clusters on the “29” Cu 2 O/Cu(111) Surface

We report single-atom catalysts have attracted a great deal of attention due to their distinct reactivity and potential for cost savings. However, despite the wealth of literature in recent years, identifying the exact nature of the active sites and associated reaction mechanisms remains challenging in many cases. Herein, we take a surface science approach to understand how Rh single atoms and small clusters behave on the thin film “29” Cu 2 O grown on Cu(111). We find that in contrast to Pt, which is present solely as single atoms on the “29” Cu 2 O surface, Rh atoms and clusters coexist and each enable low-temperature CO oxidation, but via different pathways. Specifically, the single Rh atoms produce CO 2 at 444 K via a Mars van Krevelen mechanism whereas the Rh clusters can also dissociate CO, as demonstrated via isotope labeling, and liberate CO 2 at 313 K. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations quantify the energetics of these different pathways and demonstrate that only extended Rh is capable of CO dissociation. Low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) reveals that unlike Pt atoms on the same surface, which stay atomically dispersed, the distribution of Rh structures is dependent on pretreatment conditions. DFT calculations reveal the greater tendency of Rh atoms to cluster than Pt, and STM image simulations confirm the active sites. Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on the same single crystal model systems demonstrate that 1% of a monolayer of Rh on the “29” Cu 2 O thin film significantly accelerates its reduction by CO at 400 K, thus confirming the ultrahigh vacuum surface science findings. Together, these results illustrate how well-defined single crystal experiments are useful in building structure–function relationships that elucidate the reactivity of different ensemble sizes with a level of detail beyond what is possible with high surface area catalysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electric current paths in a Si:P delta-doped device imaged by nitrogen-vacancy diamond magnetic microscopy

The recently-developed ability to control phosphorous-doping of silicon at an atomic level using scanning tunneling microscopy, a technique known as atomic precision advanced manufacturing (APAM), has allowed us to tailor electronic devices with atomic precision, and thus has emerged as a way to explore new possibilities in Si electronics. In these applications, critical questions include where current flow is actually occurring in or near APAM structures as well as whether leakage currents are present. In general, detection and mapping of current flow in APAM structures are valuable diagnostic tools to obtain reliable devices in digital-enhanced applications. In this report, we used nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond for wide-field magnetic imaging (with a few-mm field of view and micron-scale resolution) of magnetic fields from surface currents flowing in an APAM test device made of a P delta-doped layer on a Si substrate, a standard APAM witness material. We integrated a diamond having a surface NV ensemble with the device (patterned in two parallel mm-sized ribbons), then mapped the magnetic field from the DC current injected in the APAM device in a home-built NV wide-field microscope. The 2D magnetic field maps were used to reconstruct the surface current densities, allowing us to obtain information on current paths, device failures such as choke points where current flow is impeded, and current leakages outside the APAM-defined P-doped regions. Analysis on the current density reconstructed map showed a projected sensitivity of ~0.03 A m -1 , corresponding to a smallest-detectable current in the 200 μm wide APAM ribbon of ~6 μA. These results demonstrate the failure analysis capability of NV wide-field magnetometry for APAM materials, opening the possibility to investigate other cutting-edge microelectronic devices.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Controlled Spalling of 4H Silicon Carbide with Investigated Spin Coherence for Quantum Engineering Integration

We detail scientific and engineering advances which enable the controlled spalling and layer transfer of single crystal 4H silicon carbide (4H-SiC) from bulk substrates. 4HSiC’s properties, including high thermal conductivity and a wide bandgap, make it an ideal semiconductor for power electronics. Moreover, 4H-SiC is an excellent host of solid-state atomic defect qubits for quantum computing and quantum networking. Because 4H-SiC substrates are expensive (due to long growth times and limited yield), techniques for removal and transfer of bulk-quality films are desirable for substrate reuse and integration of the separated films. In this work, we utilize updated approaches for stressor layer thickness control and spalling crack initiation to demonstrate controlled spalling of 4H-SiC, the highest fracture toughness crystal spalled to date. We achieve coherent spin control of neutral divacancy (VV 0 ) qubit ensembles and measure a quasi-bulk spin T 2 of 79.7 μs in the spalled films.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Validating first-principles molecular dynamics calculations of oxide/water interfaces with x-ray reflectivity data

Metal oxide/water interfaces play a crucial role in many electrochemical and photocatalytic processes, such as photoelectrochemical water splitting, the creation of fuel from sunlight, and electrochemical CO 2 reduction. First-principles electronic structure calculations can reveal unique insights into these processes, such as the role of the alignment of the oxide electronic energy levels with those of liquid water. An essential prerequisite for the success of such calculations is the ability to predict accurate structural models of these interfaces, which in turn requires careful experimental validation. Here we report a general, quantitative validation protocol for first-principles molecular dynamics simulations of oxide/aqueous interfaces. The approach makes direct comparisons of interfacial x-ray reflectivity (XR) signals from experimental measurements and those obtained from ab initio simulations with semilocal and van der Waals functionals. The protocol is demonstrated here for the case of the Al 2 O 3 (001)/water interface, one of the simplest oxide/water interfaces. We discuss the technical requirements needed for validation, including the choice of the density functional, the simulation cell size, and the optimal choice of the thermodynamic ensemble. Our results establish a general paradigm for the validation of structural models and interactions at solid/water interfaces derived from first-principles simulations. Furthermore, while there is qualitative agreement between the simulated structures and the experimental best-fit structure, direct comparisons of simulated and measured XR intensities show quantitative discrepancies that derive from both bulk regions (i.e., alumina and water) as well as the interfacial region, highlighting the need for accurate density functionals to properly describe interfacial interactions. Our results show that XR data are sensitive not only to the atomic structure (i.e., the atom locations) but also to the electron-density distributions in both the substrate and at the interface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution at Full Atomic Utilization over ITO-Supported Sub-nano-Pt n Clusters: High, Size-Dependent Activity Controlled by Fluxional Pt Hydride Species

A combination of density functional theory (DFT) and experiments with atomically size-selected Pt n clusters deposited on indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrodes was used to examine the effects of applied potential and Pt n size on the electrocatalytic activity of Pt n (n = 1, 4, 7, 8) for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Activity is found to be negligible for isolated Pt atoms on ITO, increasing rapidly with Pt n size, such that Pt 7 /ITO and Pt 8 /ITO have roughly double the activity per Pt atom compared to atoms in the surface layer of polycrystalline Pt. Both DFT and experiment find that hydrogen under-potential deposition (H upd ) results in Pt n /ITO (n = 4, 7, 8) adsorbing ~2 H atoms/Pt atom at the HER threshold potential, equal to ca. double the Hupd observed for Pt bulk or nanoparticles. Here, the cluster catalysts under electrocatalytic conditions are hence best described as a Pt hydride compound, significantly departing from a metallic Pt cluster. The exception is Pt 1 /ITO, where H adsorption at the HER threshold potential is energetically unfavorable. Theory combines global optimization with grand canonical approaches for the influence of potential, uncovering that several metastable structures contribute to HER, changing with the applied potential. It is hence critical to include reactions of the ensemble of energetically accessible Pt n H x /ITO structures to correctly predict the activity vs. Pt n size and applied potential. For the small clusters, spillover of H ads from the clusters to the ITO support is significant, resulting in a competing channel for loss of H ads , particularly at slow potential scan rates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

High-resolution vibrational predissociation spectroscopy of I - ·H 2 O by single-mode CW infrared excitation in a 3D cryogenic ion trap

We describe the integration of a tunable, single-mode, continuous wave infrared laser into a cryogenic ion spectroscopy experiment to measure the rovibrational spectrum of the I - ∙H 2 O complex in the OH stretching region. These upper levels lie about 300 cm -1 above the dissociation threshold. The measurements are carried out by loading the ions in a radiofrequency ion trap at 10 Hz and cooling them to 5 K with pulsed He buffer gas. IR photodissociation (PD) of the I - ∙H 2 O complex is monitored by recording the I - product yield by time-of-flight mass spectrometry as a function of laser wavelength. Very narrow (Δν~75 MHz) rotational lines are observed throughout the spectrum, indicating long (ca. 2 ns) lifetimes for the excited metastable rovibrational levels. Rotational analysis of the band arising from the K”=1 to K’=2 transition of the free OH stretching fundamental yields the structure of the complex for the first time. Over 50% of the trapped ion ensemble in the trap can be photodissociated upon excitation of a single rotational line. This enables very high signal-to-noise in the PD spectrum, and is traced to a mechanism in which the ground state rotational levels are rapidly equilibrated by collisions with the buffer gas.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Dataset for manuscript "Equipartition and the temperature of maximum density of TIP4P/2005 water"

We simulate TIP4P/2005 water in the temperature range of 257 K to 318 K with time-steps 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, and 4.00 fs. The density-temperature behavior obtained using 0.25 or 0.50 fs are in excellent agreement with each other but differ from those obtained using time-steps that have been shown earlier to lead to a breakdown of equipartition. The temperature of maximum density (TMD) is 277.15 K with time-step 0.25 or 0.50 fs, but is shifted to progressively lower values for longer time-steps, a trend that holds for different thermostat/barostat combinations. Enhancing the water-water dispersion interaction, as has been recommended for simulating disordered proteins in TIP4P/2005, degrades the description of the liquid-vapor phase envelope. We present a simple physically transparent reasoning to highlight the separation of the time-scales between translational and rotational motion. We also develop a metric, Chi, that we term the equipartition anomaly, to detect equipartition violations in simulations that include molecules that are treated as rigid objects. Calculating Chi is shown to be straightforward and sensitive to equipartition violations. A key takeaway from this study is that using sufficiently short time-steps (less than or equal to 0.5 fs) to preserve equipartition is essential for obtaining meaningful liquid water properties and for producing reliable simulation data, as correct-ensemble sampling is fundamental to ensure reproducibility across codes and simulation alogrithms. The included dataset provides the raw data used in the preparation of the graphs noted in the manuscript.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Real-time tracking of protein unfolding with time-resolved x-ray solution scattering

The correct folding of proteins is of paramount importance for their function, and protein misfolding is believed to be the primary cause of a wide range of diseases. Protein folding has been investigated with time-averaged methods and time-resolved spectroscopy, but observing the structural dynamics of the unfolding process in real-time is challenging. Here, we demonstrate an approach to directly reveal the structural changes in the unfolding reaction. We use nano- to millisecond time-resolved x-ray solution scattering to probe the unfolding of apomyoglobin. The unfolding reaction was triggered using a temperature jump, which was induced by a nanosecond laser pulse. We demonstrate a new strategy to interpret time-resolved x-ray solution scattering data, which evaluates ensembles of structures obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. We find that apomyoglobin passes three states when unfolding, which we characterize as native, molten globule, and unfolded. The molten globule dominates the population under the conditions investigated herein, whereas native and unfolded structures primarily contribute before the laser jump and 30 μs after it, respectively. The molten globule retains much of the native structure but shows a dynamic pattern of inter-residue contacts. Our study demonstrates a new strategy to directly observe structural changes over the cause of the unfolding reaction, providing time- and spatially resolved atomic details of the folding mechanism of globular proteins.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Multimetallic Metal-Organic Frameworks as Heterogeneous Catalysts for Gas Phase Hydroformylation and Hydrogenation Reactions

This project focused on the development bimetallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as gas phase heterogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation and hydroformylation reactions. MOFs are a new class of hybrid inorganic/organic materials that are highly crystalline, with structures consisting of metal nodes of specific geometries connected by organic linkers. Although there have been a number of studies of catalysis at MOF nodes in solution, there is little experimental data in the literature for gas phase reactions despite the fact that industrial heterogeneous catalysis on MOFs is more economically viable than homogeneous catalysis. The use of MOFs as heterogeneous catalysts presents the unique opportunity to carefully control the composition, geometry and ensemble sizes of the active sites, which are all critical factors for the rational design of new catalysts. Specific objectives of the project are as follows: (1) to tailor the geometry, composition and ensemble size of the active sites; (2) to understand how the adsorption of molecules at metal sites can be modified by interactions with a neighboring metal site; (3) to determine how oxidation states of the metal change during reaction and how these states can be modified by metal-metal electronic interactions; and (4) to elucidate reaction mechanisms and intermediates. For these studies, we have chosen to investigate selective hydrogenation of hydrocarbons and hydroformylation, which are industrially relevant reactions. Our interdisciplinary team of Chen, Shustova and Vogiatzis/Henkelman provides critical expertise in novel MOF synthesis (Shustova), atomic-scale surface science and catalysis (Chen) and computational studies of reaction mechanisms (Vogiatzis/Henkelman) that are necessary for the development of these catalysts. We believe that this work will lead directly to the rational design of new catalysts that are versatile, highly active/selective and suitable for industrial processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Indirect tunneling enabled spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking and Josephson diode effect in TiN/Al 2 ⁢O 3 /Hf 0.8 ⁢Zr 0.2 ⁢O 2 /Nb tunnel junctions

Josephson diode (JD) effect in Josephson tunnel junctions (JTJs) has attracted a great deal of attention due to its importance for developing superconducting-circuitry-based quantum technologies. Even though the preparation of high-quality JTJs by techniques employed in the semiconductor industry has been demonstrated, which was an important milestone because JTJs are the building blocks of superconducting electronics even before the quantum era, the JD effect has not been accomplished in them, nor has the highly desirable electrical control of the effect. We report here the fabrication of JTJs featuring a composite tunnel barrier of Al 2 ⁢O 3 and Hf 0.8 ⁢Zr 0.2 ⁢O 2 using complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible atomic layer deposition. These JTJs were found to show the JD effect in nominally zero magnetic fields with nonreciprocity controllable via an electric training current, yielding a surprisingly large diode efficiency. The quasiparticle tunneling, through which the Josephson coupling in a JTJ is established, was found to show theoretically expected gap features but no nonreciprocity. We attribute these observations to the simultaneous presence of positive and negative local Josephson couplings in the JTJs, with the negative Josephson coupling originating from indirect tunneling, which results in spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking. Finally, the double-minima washboard potential for the ensemble-averaged phase difference in the resistively and capacitively shunted junction model is shown to fully account for the experimentally observed JD effect.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Construction of Lattice Strain in Bimetallic Nanostructures and Its Effectiveness in Electrochemical Applications

Bimetallic nanocrystals (NCs), associated with various surface functions such as ligand effect, ensemble effect, and strain effect, exhibit superior electrocatalytic properties. The stress-induced surface strain effect can alter binding strength between the surface active sites and reactants as well as their intermediates, and the electrochemical performance of bimetallic NCs can be significantly facilitated by the lattice-strain modification via their morphologies, sizes, shell-thickness, surface defectiveness as well as compositions. Here in this review, an overview of fundamental principles, characterization techniques, and quantitative determination of the surface lattice strain is provided. Various strategies and synthesis efforts on creating lattice-strain-engineered bimetallic NCs, including the de-alloying process, atomic layer-by-layer deposition, thermal treatment evolution, one-pot synthesis, and other efforts are also discussed. It is further outlined how the lattice strain effect promotes electrochemical catalysis through the selected case studies. The reactions on oxygen reduction reaction, small molecular oxidation, water splitting reaction, and electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reactions are focused. In particular, studies of lattice strain arisen from core–shell nanostructure and defectiveness are highlighted. Lastly, the potential challenges are summarized and the prospects of lattice-strain-based engineering on bimetallic nanocatalysts with suggestion and guidance of the future electrocatalyst design are envisioned.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effective optimization of atomic decoration in giant and superstructurally ordered crystals with machine learning

Crystals with complicated geometry are often observed with mixed chemical occupancy among Wyckoff sites, presenting a unique challenge for accurate atomic modeling. Similar systems possessing exact occupancy on all the sites can exhibit superstructural ordering, dramatically inflating the unit cell size. In this work, a crystal graph convolutional neural network (CGCNN) is used to predict optimal atomic decorations on fixed crystalline geometries. This is achieved with a site permutation search (SPS) optimization algorithm based on Monte Carlo moves combined with simulated annealing and basin-hopping techniques. Our approach relies on the evidence that, for a given chemical composition, a CGCNN estimates the correct energetic ordering of different atomic decorations, as predicted by electronic structure calculations. This provides a suitable energy landscape that can be optimized according to site occupation, allowing the prediction of chemical decoration in crystals exhibiting mixed or disordered occupancy, or superstructural ordering. Verification of the procedure is carried out on several known compounds, including the superstructurally ordered clathrate compound Rb8Ga27Sb16 and vacancy-ordered perovskite Cs2SnI6, neither of which was previously seen during the neural network training. In addition, the critical temperature of an order–disorder phase transition in solid solution CuZn is probed with our SPS routines by sampling site configuration trajectories in the canonical ensemble. This strategy provides an accurate method for determining favorable decoration in complex crystals and analyzing site occupation at unprecedented speed and scale.

Chemistry↗

Neural network representation of electronic structure from ab initio molecular dynamics

Despite their rich information content, electronic structure data amassed at high volumes in ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are generally under-utilized. Here we introduce a transferable high-fidelity neural network representation of such data in the form of tight-binding Hamiltonians for crystalline materials. This predictive representation of ab initio electronic structure, combined with machine-learning boosted molecular dynamics, enables efficient and accurate electronic evolution and sampling. When it is applied to a one-dimension charge-density wave material, carbyne, we are able to compute the spectral function and optical conductivity in the canonical ensemble. The spectral functions evaluated during soliton-antisoliton pair annihilation process reveal significant renormalization of low-energy edge modes due to retarded electron-lattice coupling beyond the Born–Oppenheimer limit. The availability of an efficient and reusable surrogate model for the electronic structure dynamical system will enable calculating many interesting physical properties, paving the way to previously inaccessible or challenging avenues in materials modeling.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Spectroscopic Investigations of Molecular Symmetry Breakdown

This project addressed precise measurements of the spectra of molecules to address fundamental questions in chemical physics in the realm of nuclear spin symmetries and their breakdown in molecules, and parity non-conservation caused by the weak nuclear force. Nuclear spin symmetry is intimately connected to parity in symmetrical molecules and plays a central role in the physical and chemical properties of symmetric molecules, their collisional relaxation, and the establishment of thermodynamic equilibrium in an ensemble. Such effects are present in every molecular system or process, but their small size means they are often only directly observable under special conditions. However, their measurement is of fundamental, and often practical importance, and strongly relates to the themes of coherence in light and matter in the recent Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC) report “Challenges at the Frontiers of Matter and Energy: Transformative Opportunities for Discovery Science”.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Nature of Zirconia on a Copper Inverse Catalyst Under CO 2 Hydrogenation Conditions

The growing concern over the escalating levels of anthropogenic CO 2 emissions necessitates effective strategies for its conversion to valuable chemicals and fuels. In this research, we embark on a comprehensive investigation of the nature of zirconia on a copper inverse catalyst under the conditions of CO 2 hydrogenation to methanol. We employ density functional theory calculations in combination with the Grand Canonical Basin Hopping method, enabling an exploration of the free energy surface including a variable amount of adsorbates within the relevant reaction conditions. Our focus centers on a model three-atom Zr cluster on a Cu(111) surface decorated with various OH, O, and formate ligands, noted Zr 3 O x (OH) y (HCOO) z /Cu(111), revealing major changes in the active site induced by various reaction parameters such as the gas pressure, temperature, conversion levels, and CO 2 /H 2 feed ratios. Further, through our analysis, we have unveiled insights into the dynamic behavior of the catalyst. Specifically, under reaction conditions, we observe a large number of composition and structures with similar free energy for the catalyst, with respect to changing the type, number, and binding sites of adsorbates, suggesting that the active site should be regarded as a statistical ensemble of diverse structures that interconvert.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗