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Results for “Vibrational Spectroscopy”

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.

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At least 271 records · Page 15
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Using electron energy-loss spectroscopy to measure nanoscale electronic and vibrational dynamics in a TEM

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) can measure similar information to x-ray, UV–Vis, and IR spectroscopies but with atomic resolution and increased scattering cross-sections. Recent advances in electron monochromators have expanded EELS capabilities from chemical identification to the realms of synchrotron-level core-loss measurements and to low-loss, 10–100 meV excitations, such as phonons, excitons, and valence structures. EELS measurements are easily correlated with electron diffraction and atomic-scale real-space imaging in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to provide detailed local pictures of quasiparticle and bonding states. This perspective provides an overview of existing high-resolution EELS (HR-EELS) capabilities while also motivating the powerful next step in the field—ultrafast EELS in a TEM. Ultrafast EELS aims to combine atomic-level, element-specific, and correlated temporal measurements to better understand spatially specific excited-state phenomena. Ultrafast EELS measurements also add to the abilities of steady-state HR-EELS by being able to image the electromagnetic field and use electrons to excite photon-forbidden and momentum-specific transitions. We discuss the technical challenges ultrafast HR-EELS currently faces, as well as how integration with in situ and cryo measurements could expand the technique to new systems of interest, especially molecular and biological samples.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2026

Epitaxial registry and transport properties in V4O7 thin films

We report the growth of V4O7 thin films deposited simultaneously on amorphous SiO2 and crystalline c-cut Al2O3 substrates. x-ray diffraction shows that films grown on SiO2 are polycrystalline with no preferred orientation, while films grown on Al2O3 exhibit a well-defined out-of-plane orientation and an in-plane registry consistent with epitaxial growth. Transmission electron microscopy confirms the crystallographic relationship between the V4O7 film and the Al2O3 substrate. Atomic force microscopy indicates substantially lower surface roughness for films grown on Al2O3 (~6 nm) compared to those grown on SiO2 (~22 nm), and Raman spectroscopy confirms stabilization of the same V4O7 phase on both substrates. Electrical transport measurements reveal a metal–insulator transition near 244 K for both substrates, with thermal hysteresis not exceeding ~1 K. Although the transition temperature remains essentially unchanged, films grown on Al2O3 exhibit higher conductivity over the entire temperature range, exceeding that of films grown on SiO2 by approximately two orders of magnitude at 100 K and by a factor of five at 300 K. These results indicate that the conductivity differences are consistent with variations in microstructural connectivity associated with crystallographic order.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Crystallographic registry in epitaxial V3O5 thin films

Crystallographic orientation plays a central role in determining transport properties in correlated oxides with low-hysteresis metal–insulator transitions. Here, V3O5 thin films were grown on Al2O3 (0001) and their crystallographic registry was evaluated using x-ray diffraction and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. θ–2θ measurements show a single out-of-plane orientation defined by the (202) reflection. Azimuthal φ-scans of the V3O5 (310) reflection exhibit twelve discrete maxima over 360°, indicating a finite set of in-plane orientations imposed by the substrate symmetry. High-resolution TEM and fast Fourier transform analysis confirm crystallographic coherence at the film–substrate interface. The electrical conductivity exhibits a metal–insulator transition at TMIT ≈ 423 K with no measurable thermal hysteresis and a total change of ~1.6 orders of magnitude between 300 and 480 K. These results establish crystallographic registry in epitaxial V3O5 thin films and provide a structurally well-defined system for future studies of orientation-dependent transport.\r\nT

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Formation of a Ti–Cu(111) single atom alloy: Structure and CO binding

A single atom Ti–Cu(111) surface alloy can be generated by depositing small amounts of Ti onto Cu(111) at slightly elevated surface temperatures (~500 to 600 K). Here, scanning tunneling microscopy shows that small Ti-rich islands covered by a Cu single layer form preferentially on ascending step edges of Cu(111) during Ti deposition below about 400 K but that a Ti–Cu(111) alloy replaces these small islands during deposition between 500 and 600 K, producing an alloy in the brims of the steps. Larger partially Cu-covered Ti-containing islands also form on the Cu(111) terraces at temperatures between 300 and 700 K. After surface exposure to CO at low temperatures, reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) reveals distinct C–O stretch bands at 2102 and 2050 cm –1 attributed to CO adsorbed on Cu-covered Ti-containing domains vs sites in the Ti–Cu(111) surface alloy. Calculations using density functional theory (DFT) suggest that the lower frequency C–O stretch band originates specifically from CO adsorbed on isolated Ti atoms in the Ti–Cu(111) surface alloy and predicts a higher C–O stretch frequency for CO adsorbed on Cu above subsurface Ti ensembles. DFT further predicts that CO preferentially adsorbs in flat-lying configurations on contiguous Ti surface structures with more than one Ti atom and thus that CO adsorbed on such structures should not be observed with RAIRS. The ability to generate a single atom Ti–Cu(111) alloy will provide future opportunities to investigate the surface chemistry promoted by a representative early transition metal dopant on a Cu(111) host surface.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trapping light in air with membrane metasurfaces for vibrational strong coupling

Optical metasurfaces can manipulate electromagnetic waves in unprecedented ways at ultra-thin engineered interfaces. Specifically, in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) region, metasurfaces have enabled numerous biochemical sensing, spectroscopy, and vibrational strong coupling (VSC) applications via enhanced light-matter interactions in resonant cavities. However, mid-IR metasurfaces are usually fabricated on solid supporting substrates, which degrade resonance quality factors (Q) and hinder efficient sample access to the near-field electromagnetic hotspots. Besides, typical IR-transparent substrate materials with low refractive indices, such as CaF 2 , NaCl, KBr, and ZnSe, are usually either water-soluble, expensive, or not compatible with low-cost mass manufacturing processes. Here, we present novel free-standing Si-membrane mid-IR metasurfaces with strong light-trapping capabilities in accessible air voids. We employ the Brillouin zone folding technique to excite tunable, high-Q quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBIC) resonances with our highest measured Q-factor of 722. Leveraging the strong field localizations in accessible air cavities, we demonstrate VSC with multiple quantities of PMMA molecules and the qBIC modes at various detuning frequencies. Our new approach of fabricating mid-IR metasurfaces into semiconductor membranes enables scalable manufacturing of mid-IR photonic devices and provides exciting opportunities for quantum-coherent light-matter interactions, biochemical sensing, and polaritonic chemistry. The authors introduce a mid-IR metasurface fabricated by decorating a free-standing Si-membrane with air holes. The enhanced light-matter interactions in such air cavities enable vibrational strong coupling and advanced biochemical sensing.

infrared spectroscopy↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chemical bonding and Born charge in 1T-HfS 2

We combine infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopies to explore the properties of the heavy transition metal dichalcogenide 1T-HfS 2 . We employ the LO–TO splitting of the E u vibrational mode along with a reevaluation of mode mass, unit cell volume, and dielectric constant to reveal the Born effective charge. We find $Z$$^{*}_{B}$ = 5.3e, in excellent agreement with complementary first-principles calculations. In addition to resolving the controversy over the nature of chemical bonding in this system, we decompose Born charge into polarizability and local charge. We find α = 5.07 Å 3 and Z* = 5.2e, respectively. Polar displacement-induced charge transfer from sulfur p to hafnium d is responsible for the enhanced Born charge compared to the nominal 4+ in hafnium. 1T-HfS 2 is thus an ionic crystal with strong and dynamic covalent effects. Taken together, our work places the vibrational properties of 1T-HfS 2 on a firm foundation and opens the door to understanding the properties of tubes and sheets.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of a Platform for High-Resolution Ion Mobility Separations Coupled with Messenger Tagging Infrared Spectroscopy for High-Precision Structural Characterizations

The ability to uniquely identify a compound requires highly precise and orthogonal measurements. Here we describe a newly developed analytical platform that integrates high resolution ion mobility and cryogenic vibrational ion spectroscopy for high-precision structural characterizations. This platform allows for the temporal separation of isomeric/isobaric ions and provides a highly sensitive description of the ion’s adopted geometry in the gas phase. The combination of these orthogonal structural measurements yields precise descriptors that can be used to resolve between and confidently identify highly similar ions. The unique benefits of our instrument, which integrates a structures for lossless ion manipulations ion mobility (SLIM IM) device with messenger tagging infrared spectroscopy, include the ability to perform high-resolution ion mobility separations and to record the IR spectra of all ions simultaneously. The SLIM IM device, with its 13 m separation path length, allows for multipass experiments to be performed for increased resolution as needed. It is integrated with an Agilent qTOF MS where the collision cell was replaced with a cryogenically held (30 K) TW-SLIM module. The cryo-SLIM is operated in a novel manner that allows ions to be streamed through the device and collisionally cooled to a temperature where they can form noncovalently bound N 2 complexes that are maintained as they exit the device and are detected by the TOF mass analyzer. The instrument can be operated in two modes: IMS+IR where the IR spectra for mobility-selected ions can be recorded and IR-only mode where the IR spectra for all mass-resolved ions can be recorded. In IR-only mode, IR spectra (400 cm –1 spectral range) can be recorded in as short as 2 s for high throughput measurements. Further, this work details the construction of the instrument and modes of operation. It provides initial benchmarking of CCS and IR measurements to demonstrate the utility of this instrument for targeted and untargeted approaches.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1966

Electron beam diagnostics.

Spectroscopic electron beam diagnostic technique, examining negligible effect elevated vibrational temperatures have on measured rotational temperatures of molecular nitrogen

ELECTRON BEAM↗
DOE OSTI2022

Resolving the Impact of Hydrogen Bonding on the Phylloquinone Cofactor through Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy

Phylloquinone (PhQ) is a molecule involved in photosynthetic electron transfer, where the local protein environment is known to tune the properties of PhQ through various noncovalent interactions. In this work, we determine how hydrogen bonding, one of these noncovalent interactions, alters the vibrational potential energy surface of PhQ. In addition, this work demonstrates how hydrogen bonding to PhQ manifests in ultrafast multidimensional vibrational spectra, which is an important step towards using ultrafast vibrational based spectroscopies to probe PhQ embedded in the binding pocket of photosynthetic reaction centers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Competition between Water–Water Hydrogen Bonds and Water–π Bonds in Pyrene–Water Cluster Anions

We present infrared spectra and density functional theory calculations of hydrated pyrene anion clusters with up to four water molecules. The experimental spectra were acquired using infrared Ar messenger photodissociation spectroscopy. Water molecules form clusters on the surface of the pyrene, forming hydrogen bonds with the pi-system. The structures of the water clusters and their interaction with the π-system are encoded in the OH stretching vibrational modes. Here, we find that the interactions between water molecules are stronger than they are between water molecules and the π-system. While all clusters show multiple conformers, three- and four-membered rings are the lowest energy structures in the larger hydrates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Measuring Plant Metabolite Abundance in Spearmint ( Mentha spicata L.) with Raman Spectra to Determine Optimal Harvest Time

A fast field-deployable method utilizing Raman spectroscopy to determine the optimal harvest time of plants to extract the highest abundance of target metabolites is presented. Rosmarinic acid is a metabolite extracted from spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). Leaves from commercial “Native” and proprietary clonal line “KI110” spearmint were measured as a function of cell type and age to determine rosmarinic acid abundance. A linear regression model with leave-one-out cross-validation (R 2 CV = 0.61, RMSECV = 11.1 mg/g) was developed between selected Raman peak areas and rosmarinic acid concentrations determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A principal component analysis (PCA) model was also developed to determine rosmarinic acid abundance. The method may be suited to the analysis of many agriculturally relevant plant species and metabolites with distinct Raman peaks.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Properties of Gaseous Deprotonated L-Cysteine S-Sulfate Anion [cysS-SO3]−: Intramolecular H-Bond Network, Electron Affinity, Chemically Active Site, and Vibrational Fingerprints

L-cysteine S-sulfate, Cys-SSO3H, and their derivatives play essential roles in biological chemistry and pharmaceutical synthesis, yet their intrinsic molecular properties have not been studied to date. In this contribution, the deprotonated anion [cysS-SO3]− was introduced in the gas phase by electrospray and characterized by size-selected, cryogenic, negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy. The electron affinity of the [cysS-SO3]• radical was determined to be 4.95 ± 0.10 eV. In combination with theoretical calculations, it was found that the most stable structure of [cysS-SO3]− (S1) is stabilized via three intramolecular hydrogen bonds (HBs); i.e., one O-H……N between the -COOH and -NH2 groups, and two N-H……O HBs between -NH2 and -SO3, in which the amino group serves as both HB acceptor and donor. In addition, a nearly iso-energetic conformer (S2) with the formation of an O-H……N-H……O-S chain-type binding motif competes with S1 in the source. The most reactive site of the molecule susceptible for electrophilic attacks is the linkage S atom. Theoretically predicted infrared spectra indicate that O-H and N-H stretching modes are the fingerprint region (2800 to 3600 cm−1) to distinguish different isomers. The obtained information lays out a foundation to better understand the transformation and structure–reactivity correlation of Cys-SSO3H in biologic settings.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multimode two-dimensional vibronic spectroscopy. II. Simulating and extracting vibronic coupling parameters from polarization-selective spectra

We report experimental demonstrations of polarization-selection two-dimensional Vibrational-Electronic (2D VE) and 2D Electronic-Vibrational (2D EV) spectroscopies aim to map the magnitudes and spatial orientations of coupled electronic and vibrational coordinates in complex systems. The realization of that goal depends on our ability to connect spectroscopic observables with molecular structural parameters. In this paper, we use a model Hamiltonian consisting of two anharmonically coupled vibrational modes in electronic ground and excited states with linear and bilinear vibronic coupling terms to simulate polarization-selective 2D EV and 2D VE spectra. We discuss the relationships between the linear vibronic coupling and two-dimensional Huang–Rhys parameters and between the bilinear vibronic coupling term and Duschinsky mixing. We develop a description of the vibronic transition dipoles and explore how the Hamiltonian parameters and non-Condon effects impact their amplitudes and orientations. Using simulated polarization-selective 2D EV and 2D VE spectra, we show how 2D peak positions, amplitudes, and anisotropy can be used to measure parameters of the vibronic Hamiltonian and non-Condon effects. This paper, along with the first in the series, provides the reader with a detailed description of reading, simulating, and analyzing multimode, polarization-selective 2D EV and 2D VE spectra with an emphasis on extracting vibronic coupling parameters from complex spectra.

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

Reprint of "Selective conversion of CO into ethanol on Cu(511) surface reconstructed from Cu(pc): Operando studies by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, mass spectrometry, quartz crystal nanobalance, and infrared spectroscopy"

A polycrystalline copper, surface-terminated by a well-defined (511)-oriented facet, was electrochemically generated by a series of step-wise surface reconstruction and iterations of mild oxidative-reductive processes in 0.1 M KOH. The electrochemical reduction of CO on the resultant stepped surface was investigated by four surface-sensitive operando methodologies: electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN), differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), and polarization-modulation infrared spectroscopy (PMIRS). The stepped surface catalyzed the facile conversion of CO into ethanol, the exclusive alcohol product at a low overpotential of -1.06 V (SHE) or - 0.3 V (RHE). Additionally, the chemisorption of CO was found to be a necessary prelude to ethanol production; i.e. the surface coverages, rather than solution concentrations, of CO and its surface-bound intermediates primarily dictate the reaction rates (current densities). Contrary to the expected predominance of undercoordinated step-site reactivity over the coordination chemistry of vicinal surfaces, vibrational spectroscopic evidence reveals the involvement of terrace-bound CO adsorbates during the multi-atomic transformations associated with the production of ethanol.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Low-cost calculation and analysis of 2D IR spectra of model diiron trinitrosyl complexes in the NO stretch region with vibrational perturbation theory

Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy offers unique capabilities for probing vibrational coupling in complex metal–ligand systems. In this paper, we combine two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy with vibrational perturbation theory to investigate vibrational coupling in a diiron trinitrosyl complex across three stable redox states. Although these systems are challenging for electronic structure methods, we demonstrate that key features of experimental 2D IR spectra can be accurately reproduced using reduced-dimensional anharmonic calculations with a small harmonic frequency scaling. Analysis reveals that N–O stretching modes maintain high locality across all redox states, with coupling patterns that directly reflect variations in Fe–N bond strength. Using curvilinear coordinate analysis, we demonstrate these differences result from systematic changes in cubic anharmonic force constants rather than mode delocalization. Our results establish N–O stretches as sensitive probes of metal–ligand bonding strength, expanding the toolkit for studying biologically relevant nitrosyl complexes.

Moran, Hayden A. [Texas A&M University, College St↗
DOE OSTI2020

Tracking the prelude of the electroreduction of carbon monoxide via its interaction with Cu(100): Studies by operando scanning tunneling microscopy and infrared spectroscopy

The first isolable intermediate in the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is carbon monoxide. This species, or its hydrated form, formic acid, is also the primary end product from all but a handful of metallic electrodes; with the latter, hydrogen gas is generated, but it emanates from the reduction of water and not from CO 2 . Only one electrode material, zerovalent copper, can spawn, in greater-than-trace quantities, a variety of species that are more highly reduced than CO. Hence, if the aim is to pursue a reaction trail of the reduction of CO 2 to products other than CO, it would be both logical and expedient to track the electrocatalytic reaction of CO itself. Heterogeneous electrocatalysis is a surface phenomenon; it transpires only when the reactant, CO in this case, chemisorbs on, or chemically interacts with, the Cu electrode surface. There is no electrocatalytic reaction if there is no CO adsorption. In ultrahigh vacuum, no CO resides on the Cu(100) surface at temperatures higher than 200 K. However, under electrochemical conditions, CO is chemisorbed on Cu at ambient temperatures at a given potential. Here, we thus paired, in seriatim fashion, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and polarization-modulation IR reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PMIRS) to document the influence of applied potential on the coverage, the molecular orientation, and the adlattice structure of CO adsorbed on Cu(100) in alkaline solutions; the results are described in this paper.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Experimental and calculated infrared spectra of disubstituted naphthoquinones

In recent years there has been interest in incorporating substituted 1,4-naphthoquinones (NQs) into the A 1 binding site in photosystem I (PSI) photosynthetic protein complexes. This interest in part stems from the considerably altered bioenergetics of electron transfer that occur in PSI with such substitutions. Time resolved FTIR studies of PSI complexes with disubstituted NQs incorporated have and currently are being undertaken, and with this in mind it is worth considering FTIR absorption spectra of these disubstituted NQs in solution. Here we present FTIR absorbance spectra for 2-bromo-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (BrMeNQ), 2-chloromethyl-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (CMMeNQ) and 2-ethylthio-3-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (ETMeNQ) in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The FTIR spectra of these di-substituted naphthoquinones (NQs) were compared to FTIR spectra of 2-methyl-3-phytyl-1,4-naphthoquinone [phylloquinone (PhQ)], 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ), and 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (2MNQ). To aid in the assignment of bands in the experimental spectra, density functional theory (DFT) based vibrational frequency calculations for all the substituted NQs in solution were undertaken. The calculated and experimental spectra agree well. By calculating normal mode potential energy distributions, unambiguous quantitative band assignments were made. The calculated and experimental spectra together make predictions about what may be observable in time resolved FTIR difference spectra obtained using PSI with the different NQs incorporated. As a result, time resolved FTIR difference spectra are presented that support these predictions.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Molecular Level Differences in Ionic Solvation and Transport Behavior in Ethylene Oxide-Based Homopolymer and Block Copolymer Electrolytes

Block copolymer electrolytes (BCE) such as polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (SEO) blended with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and composed of mechanically robust insulating and rubbery conducting nanodomains are promising solid-state electrolytes for Li batteries. Here, we compare ionic solvation, association, distribution, and conductivity in SEO-LiTFSI BCEs and their homopolymer PEO-LiTFSI analogs toward a fundamental understanding of the maximum in conductivity and transport mechanisms as a function of salt concentration. Ionic conductivity measurements reveal that SEO-LiTFSI and PEO-LiTFSI exhibit similar behaviors up to a Li/EO ratio of 1/12, where roughly half of the available solvation sites in the system are filled, and conductivity is maximized. As the Li/EO ratios increase to 1/5 the conductivity, of the PEO-LiTFSI drops nearly 3-fold, while the conductivity of SEO-LiTFSI remains constant. FTIR spectroscopy reveals that additional Li cations in the homopolymer electrolyte are complexed by additional EO units when the Li/EO ratio exceeds 1/12, while in the BCE, the proportion of complexed and uncomplexed EO units remains constant; Raman spectroscopy data at the same concentrations show that Li cations in the SEO-LiTFSI samples tend to coordinate more to their counteranions. Atomistic-scale molecular dynamics simulations corroborate these results and further show that associated ions tend to segregate to the SEO-LiTFSI domain interfaces. The opportunity for "excess" salt to be sequestered at BCE interfaces results in the retention of an optimum ratio of uncompleted and complexed PEO solvation sites in the middle of the conductive nanodomains of the BCE and maximized conductivity over a broad range of salt concentrations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗