Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “PAHs”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 235 records · Page 13

Moderate pH changes alter the fluxes, selectivities and limiting currents in ion transport through polyelectrolyte multilayers deposited on membranes

Layer-by-layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte coatings on membranes are attractive for their high selectivities between monovalent and divalent ions. However, deposition of poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)/protonated poly(allylamine) (PAH) films on ion-exchange membranes leads to low ion fluxes that restrict productivity or current efficiency. This study shows that increasing the solution pH from 6.5 to 8.3 enhances cation fluxes and limiting currents through (PAH/PSS) 5 PAH-coated cation-exchange membranes while still achieving order of magnitude selectivity increases compared to bare membranes. In Donnan dialysis through (PAH/PSS) 5 PAH-coated Nafion, at pH 8.3 the K + /Mg 2+ selectivity is 100, and the K + flux is 22 times that at pH 6.5. Moreover, at the higher pH the electrodialysis limiting current through these membranes increases ~5-fold. This enables electrodialysis separation of K + and Mg 2+ with a current efficiency around 0.75, a selectivity of 18, and 50% K + recovery from the source phase. Transmembrane potential measurements and increases in Cl - /SO 4 2- selectivities (from 9.5 at pH 6.5 to ~70 at pH 8.3) for porous alumina membranes coated with (PSS/PAH) 5 PSS films suggest that the coating becomes cation-permselective at higher pH. Increased cation transference numbers in polyelectrolyte coatings likely lead to the enhanced limiting currents for coated Nafion at higher pH. Lastly, (PAH/PSS) 5 PAH-coated Nafion shows a Li + /Mg 2+ Donnan dialysis selectivity >700 at neutral pH and a selectivity of 10 at pH 8.3. However, the Li + flux is 6 times greater at pH 8.3, which might make operation at the higher pH desirable.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Soot formation and precursor chemistry in Counterflow flames of aviation fuel surrogates

To meet market demands, the aviation sector is interested in utilizing drop-in Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels (SATF), either as neat fuels or in blends with conventional Jet A. SATF currently approved in standard specifications may have lower aromatic content with significant fractions of normal, branched, and cyclo-alkanes. Fundamental studies on soot formation from aviation fuels (Jet A, SATF) and their surrogate components are essential to understand how fuel composition influences soot and soot precursor formation. Here, this study reports new measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and soot in counterflow diffusion flames (CDFs) of aviation fuel surrogates. Both intrusive and non-intrusive diagnostics are employed to determine the profiles of temperature, gas phase species, PAHs (up to C16), and soot volume fraction (SVF) in CDFs of iso-octane and surrogate mixtures. These measurements shed light on the transition of soot precursors to primary soot particles. In addition to serving as a common surrogate component in Jet A surrogate mixtures, iso-octane is a template species for larger, less volatile branched alkanes found in SATF mixtures. The newly developed Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) PAH and soot model successfully captures temperature, precursor species, and SVF profiles for the mixtures and conditions discussed in this work. Finally, a high-fidelity surrogate for Jet A is proposed that matches targeted physical and chemical properties well, while leveraging the wide range of candidate fuel molecules available in the LLNL detailed chemical model. The proposed surrogate formulation is validated against newly acquired measurements of the surrogate and literature measurements of Jet A. These new experiments and simulations provide critical insights into the PAH and soot formation from aviation fuels. Reaction pathways which require further investigation are highlighted, such that future work may bridge the remaining quantitative gaps in predicting soot formation from aviation fuel surrogates and surrogate components.

Aviation fuels↗

Transformation of an Embedded Five-Membered Ring in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via the Hydrogen-Abstraction–Acetylene-Addition Mechanism: A Theoretical Study

Five-membered rings are constituents of many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their presence on the edges of large PAHs has been repeatedly observed experimentally. However, modern kinetic combustion models often do not consider the growth of PAHs through the transformation of the five-membered rings. Here, in connection with the above, we carried out a theoretical study of the mechanism of Hydrogen-Abstraction-aCetylene-Addition (HACA) transformation of an embedded five-membered ring on the armchair PAH edge to a six-membered ring, considering cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrene (4,5-methylenephenanthrene) as a prototype system for this process. The potential energy surface for the reactions of cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrenyl radicals produced by direct H abstractions from cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrene with acetylene has been compiled at the G3(MP2,CC)//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory including zero-point vibrational energy corrections. The computed energies and molecular parameters were then used to solve the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus Master Equation (RRKM-ME) in order to calculate reaction rate at various pressures and temperatures, which were fitted to modified Arrhenius equation for further kinetic modeling. The results show that the HACA transformation of the embedded five-membered ring to a six-membered ring is possible, albeit slow. The most viable reaction mechanism involves the R2 + C 2 H 2 reaction, where the acetylene molecules adds to a σ-radical in the six-membered ring adjacent to the five-membered ring via a low entrance barrier. The predominant product of R2 + C 2 H 2 is predicted to be 3 ethynyl 4H cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene Pr5 via immediate H elimination from the initial addition complex. Next, Pr5 undergoes H-assisted isomerization to 4aH-pentaleno[4,3,2,1-cdef]phenanthrene Pr4, and the latter adds an H atom eventually forming the 1-pyrenylmethyl radical Pr3: R2 + C 2 H 2 ⇌ 3 ethynyl 4H cyclopenta[def]phenanthrene (Pr5) + H ⇌ 4aH-pentaleno[4,3,2,1-cdef]phenanthrene (Pr4) + H Pr5 + H ⇌ Pr4 + H Pr4 + H → 1-pyrenylmethyl (Pr3) This HACA sequence may be competitive with the methyl radical addition to the R1 radical formed by H abstraction from the CH 2 group in the five-membered ring of cyclopenta[d,e,f]phenanthrene, which provides a pathway to pyrene following two H atom losses. Relative contributions of the two mechanisms of the five- to six-membered ring transformation would strongly depend on the branching ratios of the R1 and R2 radicals produced by the H abstractions and the available concentration of C 2 H 2 vs. CH 3 and hence differ in different flames.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Unconventional excited-state dynamics in the concerted benzyl (C7H7) radical self-reaction to anthracene (C14H10)

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are prevalent in deep space and on Earth as products in combustion processes bearing direct relevance to energy efficiency and environmental remediation. Reactions between hydrocarbon radicals in particular have been invoked as critical molecular mass growth processes toward cyclization leading to these PAHs. However, the mechanism of the formation of PAHs through radical – radical reactions are largely elusive. Here, we report on a combined computational and experimental study of the benzyl (C 7 H 7 ) radical self-reaction to phenanthrene and anthracene (C 14 H 10 ) through unconventional, isomer-selective excited state dynamics. Whereas phenanthrene formation is initiated via a barrierless recombination of two benzyl radicals on the singlet ground state surface, formation of anthracene commences through an exotic transition state on the excited state triplet surface through cycloaddition. Our findings challenge conventional wisdom that PAH formation via radical-radical reactions solely operates on electronic ground state surfaces and open up a previously overlooked avenue for a more “rapid” synthesis of aromatic, multi-ringed structures via excited state dynamics in the gas phase.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Water confinement in small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The confinement of water molecules is vital in fields from biology to nanotechnology. The conditions allowing confinement in small finite polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are unclear, yet are crucial for understanding confinement in larger systems. Here, we report a computational study of water cluster confinement within PAHs dimers. Our results serve as a model for larger carbon allotropes and for understanding molecular interactions in confined systems. We identified size and structural motifs allowing confinement and demonstrated the motifs in various PAHs systems. Here we show that optimal OH∙∙∙π interactions between water clusters and the PAH dimer permit optimal confinement to occur. However, the lack of such interactions leads to the formation of CH∙∙∙O interactions, resulting in less ideal confinement. Confinement of layered clusters is also possible, provided that the optimal OH∙∙∙π interactions are conserved.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploring the chemical dynamics of phenanthrene (C 14 H 10 ) formation via the bimolecular gas-phase reaction of the phenylethynyl radical (C 6 H 5 CC) with benzene (C 6 H 6 )

The exploration of the fundamental formation mechanisms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is crucial for the understanding of molecular mass growth processes leading to two- and three-dimensional carbonaceous nanostructures (nanosheets, graphenes, nanotubes, buckyballs) in extraterrestrial environments (circumstellar envelopes, planetary nebulae, molecular clouds) and combustion systems. While key studies have been conducted exploiting traditional, high-temperature mechanisms such as the hydrogen abstraction–acetylene addition (HACA) and phenyl addition–dehydrocyclization (PAC) pathways, the complexity of extreme environments highlights the necessity of investigating chemically diverse mass growth reaction mechanisms leading to PAHs. Employing the crossed molecular beams technique coupled with electronic structure calculations, we report on the gas-phase synthesis of phenanthrene (C 14 H 10 )—a three-ring, 14π benzenoid PAH—via a phenylethynyl addition–cyclization–aromatization mechanism, featuring bimolecular reactions of the phenylethynyl radical (C 6 H 5 CC, X 2 A 1 ) with benzene (C 6 H 6 ) under single collision conditions. The dynamics involve a phenylethynyl radical addition to benzene without entrance barrier leading eventually to phenanthrene via indirect scattering dynamics through C 14 H 11 intermediates. The barrierless nature of reaction allows rapid access to phenanthrene in low-temperature environments such as cold molecular clouds which can reach temperatures as low as 10 K. Furthermore, this mechanism constitutes a unique, low-temperature framework for the formation of PAHs as building blocks in molecular mass growth processes to carbonaceous nanostructures in extraterrestrial environments thus affording critical insight into the low-temperature hydrocarbon chemistry in our universe.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Unconventional gas-phase preparation of the prototype polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene (C 10 H 8 ) via the reaction of benzyl (C 7 H 7 ) and propargyl (C 3 H 3 ) radicals coupled with hydrogen-atom assisted isomerization

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and in meteorites such as Murchison and Allende and signify the missing link between resonantly stabilized free radicals and carbonaceous nanoparticles (soot particles, interstellar grains). However, the predicted lifetime of interstellar PAHs of some 108 years imply that PAHs should not exist in extraterrestrial environments suggesting that key mechanisms of their formation are elusive. Exploiting a microchemical reactor and coupling these data with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and kinetic modeling, we reveal through an isomer selective product detection that the reaction of the resonantly stabilized benzyl (C 7 H 7 ) and the propargyl (C 3 H 3 ) synthesizes the simplest representative of PAHs – the 10π Hückel aromatic naphthalene (C 10 H 8 ) molecule – via the novel Propargyl Addition–BenzAnnulation (PABA) mechanism. The gas-phase preparation of naphthalene affords a versatile concept of the reaction of combustion and astronomically abundant propargyl radicals with aromatic radicals carrying the radical center at the methylene moiety (aromatic-CH 2 ) as a previously passed over source of aromatics in high temperature environments thus bringing us closer to an understanding of the aromatic universe we live in.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Utilization of lasso peptides for biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract Many microbial genes involved in degrading recalcitrant environmental contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified and characterized. However, all molecular mechanisms required for PAH utilization have not yet been elucidated. In this work, we demonstrate the proposed involvement of lasso peptides in the utilization of the PAH phenanthrene in Sphingomonas BPH. Transpositional mutagenesis of Sphingomonas BPH with the miniTn5 transposon yielded 3 phenanthrene utilization deficient mutants, #257, #1778, and #1782. In mutant #1782, Tn5 had inserted into the large subunit of the naph/bph dioxygenase gene. In mutant #1778, Tn5 had inserted into the B2 protease gene of a lasso peptide cluster. This finding is the first report on the role of lasso peptides in PAH utilization. Our studies also demonstrate that interruption of the lasso peptide cluster resulted in a significant increase in the amount of biosurfactant produced in the presence of glucose when compared to the wild‐type strain. Collectively, these results suggest that the mechanisms Sphingomonas BPH utilizes to degrade phenanthrene are far more complex than previously understood and that the #1778 mutant may be a good candidate for bioremediation when glucose is applied as an amendment due to its higher biosurfactant production.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Coupling Environmental Whole Mixture Toxicity Screening with Unbiased RNA-Seq Reveals Site-Specific Biological Responses in Zebrafish

Passive sampling device (PSD) extracts paired with developmental toxicity assays in Danio Rerio (zebrafish) are excellent sensors for whole mixture toxicity associated with the bioavailable non-polar organics at environmental sites. We expand this concept by incorporating RNA-Seq in 48-h post fertilization zebrafish statically exposed to PSD extracts from two Portland Harbor Superfund Site locations: river mile 6.5W (RM 6.5W) and river mile 7W (RM 7W). RM 6.5W contained higher concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but the diagnostic ratios of both extracts indicated similar PAH sourcing and composition. Developmental screens determined RM 6.5W to be more toxic with the most sensitive endpoint being a “wavy” notochord malformation. Differential gene expression from exposure to both extracts was largely parallel, although more pronounced for RM 6.5W. When compared to the gene expression associated with individual chemical exposures, PSD extracts produced some gene signatures parallel to PAHs but were more closely matched by oxygenated-PAHs. Additionally, differential expression, reminiscent of the wavy notochord phenotype, was not accounted for by either class of chemical, indicating the potential of other contaminants driving mixture toxicity. These techniques offer a compelling method for non-targeted hazard characterization of whole mixtures in an in vivo vertebrate system without requiring complete chemical characterization.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in space

The mid-infrared spectrum of a continuously increasing number of stellar objects, planetary and reflection nebulae, H-II regions and extragalactic sources show a distinctive set of broad emission features at 3.3, 3.4, 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, and 11.3 micron known collectively as the unidentified infrared emission bands. A model is summarized in which the bands arise from positively charged polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH's) on the basis of their low ionization potential and the excellent agreement between the emission bands and laboratory spectra of auto exhaust which contains these types of molecules. The proposed presence of PAHs in such a variety of objects points to their presence in the interstellar medium. Out of a previously published collection of solid state PAH radical cation spectra five were selected on the basis of the unique thermodynamic stability of their carrier and compared directly to the wavelengths of the DIB's. Although the match seems quite favorable, strongly suggesting that PAH radicals are the long sought after carrier of the diffuse interstellar absorption bands, much laboratory work must be done to test this hypothesis.

Barker, J.↗

Interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon in interplanetary dust particles and meteorites

Raman spectra of interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and meteorites containing material similar to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) show features that are similar in position and relative strength to interstellar IR emission features attributable to vibrational transitions in free molecular-sized PAHs. In addition, these spectra sometimes show red photoluminescence that has elsewhere been attributed to PAHs, and a part of the carbonaceous phase in IDPs and meteorites contain a degree of deuterium enrichment anticipated in small, free PAHs that are exposed to ISM UV radiation. These observations suggest that some of the IDPs' carbonaceous material may have been produced in circumstellar dust shells, and only slightly modified in interstellar space.

Allamandola, L. J.↗

Airborne observations of the infrared emission bands

The data concerning low resolution airborne spectra from 5 to 8 microns available for a sample of 40 sources selected from the Infrared Astronomy Satellite low resolution spectral Atlas with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission features, are discussed. A new emission band at 5.2 microns, previously predicted for PAHs, was found in 33 sources; it also correlates with the 7.7 microns band. This extends the spectrum of narrow observed PAH features to 3.3, 5.2, 5.6, 6.2, 6.9, 7.7, 8.7, 11.3, and 12.7 microns. From the data the relative strengths of most of these bands are defined in three separate nebular environments: planetaries, H II regions, and reflection nebulae. The differences in the PAHs spectra in those environments are analyzed.

Cohen, M.↗

Airborne observations of the infrared emission bands

Earlier airborne studies of the infrared bands between 5 and 8 microns have now been extended to a sample of southern sources selected from the IRAS Low Resolution Spectra (LRS) atlas. The correlation between the strongest bands at 6.2 and 7.7 microns is now based on a total sample of 40 sources and is very strong. A new emission band at 5.2 microns, previously predicted for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is recognized in 27 sources; it too correlates with the dominant 7.7 micron band, showing that the 5.2 micron feature also belongs to the generic spectrum of PAH features at 3.3, 5.6, 6.2, 6.2, 7.7, 8.7, 11.3, and 12.7 microns. Sufficient sources are had now to define the relative strengths of most of these bands in three separate nebular environments: planetaries, H II regions, and reflection nebulae. Significant variations are detected in the generic spectra of PAHs in these different environments which are echoed by variations in the exact wavelength of the strong 7.7 micron peak. The earlier suggestion that, in planetaries, the fraction of total emission observed by IRAS that is carried by the PAH emissions is correlated with nebular gas-phase C/O ratio is supported by the addition of newly-observed southern planetaries, including the unusually carbon-rich (WC10) nebular nuclei. These (WC10) nuclei also exhibit a strong plateau of emission linking the 6.2 and 7.7 micron features.

Cohen, M.↗

On the state of the emitter of the 3.3 micron unidentified infrared band - Absorption spectroscopy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon species

Results of absorption measurements indicate that the PAH species responsible for the UIR (unidentified infrared) emission probably exist in a condensed form rather than as isolated molecules. It is shown that the peak absorption of the C-H stretch feature of vapor-phase PAHs occurs at a higher frequency than that of the condensed-phase PAHs and does not match the 3.289-micron interstellar feature. The vapor-phase experiments duplicate the phenomenon of the 3.3-micron profile simplification of PAH in KBr at elevated temperature. This confirms that the change of the profile with temperature is an intrinsic molecular effect, and is not a consequence of matrix (KBr) or condensed state interactions.

Flickinger, Gregory C.↗

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation in carbon-rich stellar envelopes

A detailed chemical kinetic scheme is applied to stellar envelope profiles of gas density and temperature profiles in order to study the formation of PAH molecules in carbon-rich stellar outflows. Chemical concentration profiles are calculated for several envelope models by integrating the coupled continuity equations that include spherically expanding flows from an inner boundary at the shock formation radius. The influence of the 'inverse greenhouse' effect experienced by small PAHs is investigated and shown to increase the PAH yield by many orders of magnitude. It is shown that the route through propargyl radicals could be an important channel to produce benzene. PAH formation yields are found to be extremely sensitive to gas density and temperature and are much smaller than values inferred from the observed dust content of late-type carbon-rich stellar envelopes. It is therefore unlikely that aromatic molecules are generated in the stellar outflow itself.

Cherchneff, Isabelle↗

Infrared spectra of transition objects and the composition and evolution of carbon dust

We obtained IR (5-23 microns) spectra of five carbon-rich objects in transition from the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) to the planetary nebula stage of evolution. These spectra show a variety of IR emission features due to circumstellar materials. In particular, all sources show the 6.2 and '7.7' micron bands, commonly observed in PNs and ascribed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules (PAHs). Some transition nebulae also show a strong 6-9 micron plateau characteristic for larger PAH clusters (about 400 C-atoms). A new broad feature at about 8.8 microns is present in some sources. This feature is distinctly different from the 8.6-micron PAH feature. This 8.8-micron feature may be present in the spectra of C-rich giants as well, but is not evident in PN spectra. We suggest that large amorphous carbon grains are responsible for the 8.8-micron feature. The transition objects show large spectral variations from source to source. This contrasts with C-rich PNs, which all show very similar IR spectra dominated by PAHs. These spectral variations between transition objects of similar effective temperatures cannot be due to excitation variations but imply compositional variations of the dust. Moreover, this result suggests that circumstellar dust evolves during the transition phase from red giant to PN, perhaps as a result of grain-grain collisions and shattering in the fast winds.

Buss, R. H., Jr.↗

Investigating the 3.3 micron infrared fluorescence from naphthalene following ultraviolet excitation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) type molecules are proposed as the carriers of the unidentified infrared (UIR) bands. Detailed studies of the 3.3 micrometer infrared emission features from naphthalene, the simplest PAH, following ultraviolet laser excitation are used in the interpretation of the 3.29 micrometer (3040 cm(sup -1)) UIR band. A time-resolved Fourier transform spectrometer is used to record the infrared emission spectrum of gas-phase naphthalene subsequent to ultraviolet excitation facilitated by an excimer laser operated at either 193 nm or 248 nm. The emission spectra differ significantly from the absorption spectrum in the same spectral region. Following 193 nm excitation the maximum in the emission profile is red-shifted 45 cm(sup -1) relative to the absorption maximum; a 25 cm(sup -1) red-shift is observed after 248 nm excitation. The red-shifting of the emission spectrum is reduced as collisional and radiative relaxation removes energy from the highly vibrationally excited molecules. Coupling between the various vibrational modes is thought to account for the differences between absorption and emission spectra. Strong visible emission is also observed following ultraviolet excitation. Visible emission may play an important role in the rate of radiative relaxation, which according to the interstellar PAH hypothesis occurs only by the slow emission of infrared photons. Studying the visible emission properties of PAH type molecules may be useful in the interpretation of the DIB's observed in absorption.

Williams, Richard M.↗

Infrared spectroscopy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon cations. 1: Matrix-isolated naphthalene and perdeuterated naphthalene

Ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are thought to constitute an important component of the interstellar medium. Despite this fact, the infrared spectroscopic properties of ionized PAHs are almost unknown. The results we present here derive from our ongoing spectroscopic study of matrix isolated PAH ions and include the spectra of the naphthalene cation, C10H8(+), and its fully deuterated analog, C10D8(+), between 4000 and 200/cm. Ions are generated by in situ Lyman-alpha photoionization of the neutral precursor. Bands of the C10H8(+) ion are observed at 1525.7, 1518.8, 1400.9, 1218.0, 1216.9, 1214.9, 1023.2, and 758.7/cm. Positions and relative intensities of these bands agree well with those in the available literature. The 758.7/cm band has not previously been reported. C10D8(+) ion bands appear at 1466.2, 1463.8, 1379.4, 1373.8, 1077.3, 1075.4, and 1063.1/cm. Compared to the analogous modes in the neutral molecule, the intensities of the cation's CC modes are enhanced by an order of magnitude, while CH modes are depressed by this same factor. Integrated absorption intensities are calculated for the strongest bands of C10H8 and for the observed bands of C10H8(+). Absolute intensities derived for the naphthalene cation differ from earlier experimental results by a factor of approximately 50, and from theoretical predictions by a factor of approximately 300. Reasons for these discrepancies and from the astronomical implications of PAH cation spectra are discussed.

Hudgins, D. M.↗