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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Experimental determination of the solubility constant of kurnakovite, MgB3O3(OH)5·5H2O

In this study, I present experimental results on the equilibrium between boracite [Mg 3 B 7 O 13 C1(cr)] and kurnakovite [chemical formula, Mg 2 B 6 O 11 ·15H 2 O(cr); structural formula, MgB 3 O 3 (OH) 5 ·5H 2 O(cr)] at 22.5 ± 0.5 °C from a long-term experiment up to 1629 days, approaching equilibrium from the direction of supersaturation, Mg 3 B 7 O 13 C1(cr) + H + + 2B(OH)$^-_4$ + 18H 2 O(1) ⇌ 3MgB 3 O 3 (OH) 5 ·5H 2 O(cr) + C1 - . Based on solubility measurements, the 10-based logarithm of the equilibrium constant for the above reaction at 25 °C is determined to be 12.83 ± 0.08 (2σ). Based on the equilibrium constant for dissolution of boracite, Mg 3 B 7 O 13 C1(cr) + 15H 2 O(1) = 3Mg 2+ + 7B(OH)$^-_4$ + C1 - + 2H + at 25 °C measured previously (Xiong et al. 2018) and that for the reaction between boracite and kurnakovite determined here, the equilibrium constant for dissolution of kurnakovite, MgB 3 O 3 (OH) 5 ·5H 2 O(cr) = Mg 2+ + 3B(OH)$^-_4$ + H + + H 2 O(1) is derived as -14.11 ± 0.40 (2σ). Using the equilibrium constant for dissolution of kurnakovite obtained in this study and the experimental enthalpy of formation for kurnakovite from the literature, a set of thermodynamic properties for kurnakovite at 25 °C and 1 bar is recommended as follows: Δ H $^0_f$ = -4813.24 ± 4.92 kJ/mol, Δ G$^0_f$ = -4232.0 ± 2.3 kJ/mol, and S 0 = 414.3 ± 0.9 J/(mol·K). Among them, the Gibbs energy of formation is based on the equilibrium constant for kurnakovite determined in this study; the enthalpy of formation is from the literature (Li et al. 1997), and the standard entropy is calculated internally with the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation in this work. The thermodynamic properties of kurnakovite estimated using the group contribution method for borate minerals based on the sums of contributions from the cations, borate polyanions, and structural water to the thermodynamic properties from the literature (Li et al. 2000) are consistent, within their uncertainties, with the values listed above. Since kurnakovite usually forms in salt lakes rich in sulfate, studying the interactions of borate with sulfate is important to modeling kurnakovite in salt lakes. Finally, for this purpose, I have re-calibrated our previous model (Xiong et al. 2013) describing the interactions of borate with sulfate based on the new solubility data for borax in Na 2 SO 4 solutions presented here.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Identification and characterization of glycosyltransferases involved in the synthesis of the side chains of the cell wall pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II

Our goal was to gain insight into the genes and proteins involved in the biosynthesis of rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), a borate cross-linked and structurally conserved pectic polysaccharide present in the primary cell walls of all vascular plants. The research conducted during the funding period established that (i) Avascular plants have the ability to synthesize UDP-apiose but lack the glycosyltransferase machinery required to synthesize RG-II or other apiose-containing cell wall glycans. (ii) RG-II structure is highly conserved in the Lemnaceae (duckweeds and relatives). However, the structures of other wall pectins and hemicellulose have changed substantial during the diversification of the Lemnaceae. This supports the notion that a precise structure of RG-II must be maintained to allow borate cross-linking to occur in a controlled manner. (iii) Enzymes involved in the conversion of UDP-GlcA to UDP-Api, UDP-Xyl, and UDP-Ara may have an important role in controlling the composition of duckweed cell walls. (iv) RG-II exists as the borate ester cross-linked dimer in the cell walls of soybean root hairs and roots. Thus, RG-II is present in the walls of plants cells that grow by tip or by expansive growth. (v) A reduction in RG-II cross-linking in the maize tls1 mutant, which lacks a borate channel protein, suggests that the growth defects observed in the mutant are, at least in part, due to defects in the cell wall.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1988

Thermally reversible gels in electrophoresis. I - Matrix characterization

Two series of thermally reversible hydrogen-bonded gels have been characterized: (5 pct) PVA-(4 pct) PEG and (5 pct) PVA-(0.04 pct) borate gels. They both have extremely low melting points (16-17 C) and could be of potential interest for recovery of proteins after preparative electrophoresis. The PVA-borate gels can be exploited in the pH range 7-11 by progressively increasing the borate content in the pH interval 8 to 7 and concomitantly decreasing the borate levels in the pH zone 8 to 11. It is hypothesized that the low melting point of these gels is due to the fact that they are sparingly and sparsely hydrogen bonded along the PVA chain: on the average, 1 OH group out of 3 or 4 OH groups in the PVA polymer should be engaged in H-bond formation.

Righetti, Pier Giorgio↗
DOE OSTI2019

Synthesis and characterization of the novel antiferromagnet LaNiB 3 O 7

Here, we present the synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of the novel borate LaNiB 3 O 7 - the first magnetically ordered compound reported in the CaAlB 3 O 7 structure type. This material is made of alternating sheets of corner-sharing borate tetrahedra and planes of La and Ni ions, with distorted nickel oxide [NiO 6 ] octahedra and lanthanum oxide [LaO 10 ] polyhedra. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility data reveal dominantly antiferromagnetic interactions and an antiferromagnetic transition with a Neel temperature of 19 K, confirmed by specific heat data. The magnetic moment per nickel ion is 3.06 μ B . This compound uncovers a new family of rare-earth transition-metal borates to probe for magnetic interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Preparation and characterization of rare earth orthoborates, LnBO{sub 3} (Ln = Tb, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Y) and LaBO{sub 3}:Gd, Tb, Eu by metathesis reaction: ESR of LaBO{sub 3}:Gd and luminescence of LaBO{sub 3}:Tb, Eu

Highlights: {yields} Orthoborates and their solid solutions were prepared by metathesis reaction. {yields} NaCl (by-product) is the driving force for these metathesis reactions. {yields} Structural refinement for TbBO{sub 3} was carried out. {yields} Spin-Hamiltonian parameters of Gd{sup 3+} were deduced from the ESR spectra of LaBO{sub 3}:Gd. -- Abstract: Lanthanide orthoborates of composition LnBO{sub 3} (Ln = Tb, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Y) and LaBO{sub 3}:Gd, Tb, Eu have been prepared by metathesis reaction. This method provides a convenient route for the synthesis of orthoborates and its solid solutions at low temperatures. Powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to characterize these borates. Rare earth borates, (LnBO{sub 3}) are isomorphous with different forms of CaCO{sub 3} depending on the radius of rare earth ion. LaBO{sub 3}, LaBO{sub 3}:Gd, Tb, Eu, PrBO{sub 3}, NdBO{sub 3} crystallized in aragonite structure, SmBO{sub 3} crystallized in H-form and TbBO{sub 3}, EuBO{sub 3}, GdBO{sub 3}, DyBO{sub 3}, YBO{sub 3} crystallized in vaterite structure. The structural analysis of TbBO{sub 3} was carried out. The morphology of these borates was obtained from Scanning electron microscopy. Spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Gd{sup 3+} are deduced from room temperature electron spin resonance spectrum of LaBO{sub 3}:Gd. The luminescence of LaBO{sub 3}:Tb, Eu gave characteristics peaks corresponding to Tb{sup 3+}, Eu{sup 3+} respectively.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Effect of solubility YAG:Nd nanocrystals in glass matrix

Highlights: {yields} The mixture of borate glass powder and YAG:5%Nd{sup 3+} nanocrystals was prepared. {yields} The samples were formed into pallets and annealed at different temperatures. {yields} The luminescence properties of composites depends crucially on annealing temperature. -- Abstract: The nanocomposites of Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:Nd{sup 3+} (YAG:Nd) incorporated in borate glass were obtained. The single phase of YAG:Nd nanocrystals were obtained by sol-gel method. The borate glass was melted first and ground up then mixed with the nanocrystals. The samples were formed into pellets under pressure and were annealed in temperatures from the range 550-800 {sup o}C. The X-ray diffraction patterns show that together with increasing the temperature the contribution of Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12} phase decreases and the new YBa{sub 3}B{sub 9}O{sub 19} phase is observed. The luminescence measurements indicates that the band structures and distribution of band intensities of glass-YAG:Nd nanocrystal composites depends crucially on annealing temperature.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Co thickness dependence of structural and magnetic properties in spin quantum cross devices utilizing stray magnetic fields

We investigate the Co thickness dependence of the structural and magnetic properties of Co thin-film electrodes sandwiched between borate glasses in spin quantum cross (SQC) devices that utilize stray magnetic fields. We also calculate the Co thickness dependence of the stray field between the two edges of Co thin-film electrodes in SQC devices using micromagnetic simulation. The surface roughness of Co thin films with a thickness of less than 20 nm on borate glasses is shown to be as small as 0.18 nm, at the same scanning scale as the Co film thickness, and the squareness of the hysteresis loop is shown to be as large as 0.96–1.0. As a result of the establishment of polishing techniques for Co thin-film electrodes sandwiched between borate glasses, we successfully demonstrate the formation of smooth Co edges and the generation of stray magnetic fields from Co edges. Theoretical calculation reveals that a strong stray field beyond 6 kOe is generated when the Co thickness is greater than 10 nm at a junction gap distance of 5 nm. From these experimental and calculation results, it can be concluded that SQC devices with a Co thickness of 10–20 nm can be expected to function as spin-filter devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Note: Detector collimators for the nanoscale ordered materials diffractometer instrument at the Spallation Neutron Source

Five neutron collimator designs were constructed and tested at the nanoscale ordered materials diffractometer (NOMAD) instrument. Collimators were made from High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) or 5% borated HDPE. In all cases, collimators improved the signal to background ratio and reduced detection of secondary scattering. In the Q-range 10-20 Å{sup −1}, signal to background ratio improved by factors of approximately 1.6 and 2.0 for 50 and 100 mm deep collimators, respectively. In the Q-range 40-50 Å{sup −1}, the improvement factors were 1.8 and 2.7. Secondary scattering as measured at Q ∼ 9.5 Å{sup −1} was significantly decreased when the collimators were installed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Sensitivity Tests of Aluminum Precipitate Preparation Methods on Head Loss through Debris Beds on a Sump Screen

During a Loss-of-Coolant Accident (LOCA) in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs), buffered borated water as a coolant from the Refueling Water Storage Tank (RWST) will be injected into the primary loop to cool down the core depending on the break size. For long-term cooling, the coolant will be collected in the containment sump. Then, the Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) will pump the coolant through the sump strainers into the reactor. During this phase, buffered borated water produces chemical precipitate by reacting with the structural materials in the containment. Chemical effects evaluated as part of Generic Safety Issue 191 (GSI-191) resolution studies are broadly defined as any chemically induced phenomenon that affects ECCS performance. Initial chemical effects studies jointly sponsored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Industry collaborators led to a Westinghouse Owners Group (WOG) study that provided bases for deterministic quantification of chemical effects. The WCAP-16530-NP developed protocols to produce Aluminum Oxyhydroxide (AlOOH), Calcium Phosphate, and Sodium Aluminum Silicate (SAS). The surrogate generation protocol used the metal salt (aluminum nitrate and calcium acetate) unlike post-LOCA accident scenarios where metals leach into a buffered borated solution. Bahn et al. demonstrated that the WCAP-16530-NP SAS precipitate did not produce as much head loss as the WCAP-16530-NP AlOOH precipitate, thus, the present study focused on the effect of AlOOH precipitate on head loss through a fibrous debris bed. In the past, most of the tests were conducted in high approach velocity conditions, approximately 0.03 m/s. After modifications of sump strainer size in PWRs, the approach velocity to the sump strainer was reduced by an order of magnitude, approximately 0.001 ∼ 0.003 m/s. Howe et al. and Kim et al. conducted several head loss tests at the approach velocity of 0.003 m/s. In the present study, an approach velocity of 0.0006 m/s was selected for an extremely slow power plant condition. A PCI strainer design was used as previous head loss tests and debris bypass tests conducted by Lee et al. Three different chemical precipitate preparation methods were used in this study. The additional head loss of the debris bed caused by those chemical precipitates was investigated. The debris bed was produced with NUKON{sup R} fiberglass thermal insulator and additional particulates including dirt, Tin powder, acrylic powder, and Calcium silicate (CalSil). (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Analysis of an existing spent fuel pool storage rack using current practices and updated depletion bias and uncertainty values - 14458

In accordance with NRC Information Notice 2011-03: Nonconservative Criticality Safety Analysis for Fuel Storage, a US nuclear power plant reviewed their analysis of record (AOR) for possible nonconservative technical specifications related to the criticality safety of fuel storage. During this review, it was determined that some legacy fuel assemblies did not meet all the assumptions of the AOR, but did meet the plant Technical Specifications. The plant entered into an Operability Evaluation in order to evaluate the moderator temperature and boron concentration assumptions used in the AOR, as well as evaluate the impact of including additional biases and depletion uncertainties for the non-borated case. As this study was part of a response to the NRC Information Notice, a full assessment was not conducted. A re-analysis of the spent fuel rack in accordance with current practices was performed. This analysis used the bounding core conditions, and included all biases and depletion uncertainties. The results challenged the 10CFR50.68(b) requirement that 'the k-effective must remain below 1.0 (subcritical), at a 95 percent probability, 95 percent confidence level, if flooded with un-borated water'. Credits for additional reactivity offsets were then analyzed. Previous assumptions for the measurement uncertainty were evaluated and subsequently reduced. New values for the depletion bias and uncertainty were applied. More detailed, realistic modeling was used to remove conservatisms. The results showed that the storage racks met the 10CFR50.68(b) criteria for the un-borated case. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2017

In Situ Detection of Boron by ChemCam on Mars

Here, we report the first in situ detection of boron on Mars. Boron has been detected in Gale crater at levels <0.05 wt % B by the NASA Curiosity rover ChemCam instrument in calcium-sulfate-filled fractures, which formed in a late-stage groundwater circulating mainly in phyllosilicate-rich bedrock interpreted as lacustrine in origin. We also consider two main groundwater-driven hypotheses to explain the presence of boron in the veins: leaching of borates out of bedrock or the redistribution of borate by dissolution of borate-bearing evaporite deposits. Our results suggest that an evaporation mechanism is most likely, implying that Gale groundwaters were mildly alkaline. On Earth, boron may be a necessary component for the origin of life; on Mars, its presence suggests that subsurface groundwater conditions could have supported prebiotic chemical reactions if organics were also present and provides additional support for the past habitability of Gale crater.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Growth process of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers

The reactions occurred and growth process in the preparation of copper aluminum borate (Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17}) whiskers based on flux method (Al{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3}/CuSO{sub 4}/H{sub 3}BO{sub 3} as raw materials, K{sub 2}SO{sub 4} as flux) were investigated. The thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis (TG-DSC), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrum analysis (ICP-AES) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results of reactants mixture quenched at various temperatures and phase diagrams of K{sub 2}SO{sub 4}-Al{sub 2}(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} system and B{sub 2}O{sub 3}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} system showed that the reaction process proceeds through three steps: the formation and decomposition of two different kinds of potassium aluminum sulfate (K{sub 3}Al(SO{sub 4}){sub 3} and KAl(SO{sub 4}){sub 2}); the formation of aluminum borate (Al{sub 4}B{sub 2}O{sub 9}) and decomposition of copper sulfate (CuSO{sub 4}) and boric acid (H{sub 3}BO{sub 3}); growth and formation of copper aluminum borate (Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17}) whiskers. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis results indicated that morphology in growth of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers develops through three stages: nanoparticles, fan-shaped whiskers and agminate-needlelike whiskers. - Graphical abstract: The morphology in growth of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers develops through three stages: nanoparticles, fan-shaped whiskers and agminate-needlelike whiskers. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Reaction process in the preparation of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers was researched systematically. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Crystal growth mechanism of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} whiskers was proposed by theory and experiments. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Properties of Cu{sub 2}Al{sub 6}B{sub 4}O{sub 17} were analyzed by instruments, such as TG-DSC, ICP-AES, XRD and SEM.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

A non-fueled nuclear-heated rod for in-pile transient boiling studies

Separate-effects boiling experiments have recently been conducted in the Transient Reactor Test Facility at Idaho National Laboratory to investigate transient heating and irradiation effects on cladding-to-coolant heat transfer. Specifically, transient critical heat flux (CHF) remains an important area of research, and better understanding of this phenomenon has potential for improving predictive models related to operational and safety limits. Consequently, this knowledge is expected to improve efficiency of light-water reactor operations. A novel borated nuclear-heated rodlet (BNHR) was designed to enable observation of transient cladding-to-coolant heat transfer phenomena. The final BNHR design takes a surrogate approach, wherein nuclear heating is induced by 10 B(n, α) reactions rather than derived from fissions in a fueled specimen. The structure of the BNHR consists of a hollowed out borated (B nat ~ 2.05 wt %) stainless steel tube with an hourglass-shaped outer surface, capped at both ends with non-borated stainless steel. This geometry allows for inner-rodlet instrumentation and generation of the highest nuclear heating rates near the center of the rodlet to ensure onset of boiling near instrumentation for real-time observation. A novel approach to measuring the nuclear energy deposition rate in the BNHR separate and apart from the influence of the coolant, termed the n-a thermometer, is also detailed in this paper. This device has demonstrated excellent repeatability, and measurements indicate predictive modeling results for energy deposition in the BNHR rod agree within a 10% margin of the experiment measurements. In conclusion, these results give confidence that the BNHR design has successfully met experiment objectives.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Further Evidence for the Stabilization of U(V) within a Tetraoxo Core

Two complex layered uranyl borates, K 10 [(UO 2 ) 16 (B 2 O 5 ) 2 (BO 3 ) 6 O 8 ]·7H 2 O (1) and K 13 [(UO 2 ) 19 (UO 4 )(B 2 O 5 ) 2 (BO 3 ) 6 (OH) 2 O 5 ]·H 2 O (2), were isolated from supercritical water reactions. Within these compounds, borate exists only as BO 3 units and is found as either isolated BO 3 triangles or B 2 O 5 dimers, the latter being formed from corner sharing of two BO 3 units. These anions, along with oxide and hydroxide, bridge between uranyl centers to create the complex layers in these compounds. U(VI) cations are found within uranyl, UO 2 2+ units, that are bound by four or five oxygen atoms to create tetragonal and pentagonal bipyramidal environments. The most striking feature in this system is found in 2, where a [UO 4 (OH) 2 ] unit exists that contains U(V) within a tetraoxo core with trans hydroxide anions; therefore, this compound is a mixed-valent U(VI)/U(V) borate. Finally, the presence of a 5f 1 uranium site within 2 leads to unusual optical properties.

Cations↗
DOE OSTI2018

Reduction Reactions of Electrolyte Salts for Lithium Ion Batteries: LiPF 6 , LiBF 4 , LiDFOB, LiBOB, and LiTFSI

The reduction products of common lithium salts for lithium ion battery electrolytes, LiPF 6 , LiBF 4 , lithium bisoxalato borate (LiBOB), lithium difluorooxalato borate (LiDFOB), and lithium trifluorosulfonylimide (LiTFSI), have been investigated. The solution phase reduction of different lithium salts via reaction with the one electron reducing agent, lithium naphthalenide, results in near quantitative reactions. Analysis of the solution phase and head space gasses suggests that all of the reduction products are precipitated as insoluble solids. The solids obtained through reduction were analyzed with solution NMR, IR-ATR and XPS. All fluorine containing salts generate LiF upon reduction while all oxalate containing salts generate lithium oxalate. In addition, depending upon the salt other species including, Li x PF y O z , Li x BF y , oligomeric borates, and lithium bis[N-(trifluoromethylsulfonylimino)] trifluoromethanesulfonate are observed.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2013

The Effect of Boron on the Thermal Sensitization of Grade ‘A’ Type 304 Stainless Steel

This technical work plan describes experimental work carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory to evaluate the potential for thermal sensitization of Type 304 borated stainless steel, the leading candidate neutron absorber material for the permanent disposal of used nuclear fuel. This material may also be applicable for very long term storage, particularly if the canister is planned for direct disposal after storage. The workscope described here is new and seeks to provide information as to whether borated stainless steel would become sensitized with extended exposure to relatively high temperatures present in storage casks and disposal containers. This information is necessary to remove some of the conservatism contained in the corrosion allowances that have been applied to the Yucca Mountain Project waste packages, and are currently planned for the proposed can-in-can approach for direct disposal. Currently the corrosion allowance is a factor of nine above the measured corrosion rates for borated stainless steel in the relatively benign environments expected in a failed waste package, which is expected to be similar to dilute water in equilibrium with host rock.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗