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At least 307 records · Page 17

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1976

Life capability of the silver electrode in alkaline electrochemical cells

Estimates of silver electrode degradation rates were made by comparing the recently measured capacities with the reported early life capacities. Chemical analyses were carried out to determine the extent of silver loss from the electrode and its distribution throughout the cell components. The results established that the silver electrode is very stable when stored at reduced temperatures in the range of 0 to -51 C, in which it exhibits a permanent degradation in capacity of 0.5%/year. The results also indicated that the silver electrode is not quite as stable when operated and stored at room temperature, where it exhibits permanent degradation in the range of 3% to 14%/year. These results were employed in predicting the life capability of the proposed new Ag-H2 cell and also in assessing the merits of employing silver electrodes in long-life probe batteries.

Frank, H. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Fabrication and testing of silver-hydrogen cells

Silver electrodes containing various additives were fabricated and tested in single electrode cells in order to improve the electrochemical utilization of sintered silver cathodes in Ag-H2 aerospace batteries. A standard stack arrangement was used which featured a NASA-developed organic-inorganic separator. All cells were cycled in a regime designed to remove 75% of the cells nominal capacity based on 3.3 gms/AHr Ag utilization. In cases where performance degradation was observed, the main feature mode appeared to be corrosion of either the expanded silver current collector or the connection between the silver electrode and the electrode tab. Promising silver electrodes from single electrode studies were used in the construction of 35 AHr Ag-H2 cells. Two such cells were constructed and installed in heavy walled pressure vessels for testing. Based on the data obtained from all cells tested during the program, four lightweight 35 AHr cells were fabricated. During acceptance testing these cells yielded an average gravimetric energy density of 30 WHr/1b.

Debicarri, D. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Screenable silver and base metal solar cell contacts

The metallurgical soundness of the all-metal screenable thick film electrode system is established for silver and copper electrodes. Silver fluoride was identified as a successful etchant material and is found most effective in the liquid phase (435-460 C). Best results were achieved with the eutectic alloys of dopants and semiconductors. The air-fired silver inks were strongly adherent, rugged, and solderable, whereas the hydrogen-fired silver inks had very poor adhesion. A two-step firing process was devised in which copper inks containing silver fluoride were activated in a nitrogen atmosphere, with sintering done at the same or higher temperatures in hydrogen. Good solar cells were made using the copper paste back contacts demonstrating that the electrodes are not the limiting factors in efficiency.

Ross, B.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Particle size effects on viscosity of silver pastes: A manufacturer's view

Particles from a variety of silver powders were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and particle size analyses. Particle size distribution curves and volume population graphs were prepared for these silver powders and for glass powders with optimum, extra fine and coarse particle sizes. The viscosity at a given shear rate and slope of viscosity over a range of shear rates were determined for thick film pastes made with these powders. Because of particle anomalies and variations, the need for flexibility to achieve the best printing qualities for silver pastes was evident. It was established that print quality, dried and fired film density and optimum contact of silver particles with silicon, important for cell electrical output, could be achieved by adjusting the slope of viscosity that fell outside of the range, -0.550 to -0.650. This was accomplished through organic vehicle technology that permitted a change in the slope of viscosity, up or down, while maintaining a constant silver and total solids content.

Provance, J.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Atomic Oxygen Durability of Second Surface Silver Microsheet Glass Concentrators

Second surface silver microsheet glass concentrators are being developed for potential use in future solar dynamic space power systems. Traditional concentrators are aluminum honeycomb sandwich composites with either aluminum or graphite epoxy face sheets, where a reflective aluminum layer is deposited onto an organic leveling layer on the face sheet. To protect the underlying layers, a SiO2 layer is applied on top of the aluminum reflective layer. These concentrators may be vulnerable to atomic oxygen degradation due to possible atomic oxygen attack of the organic layers at defect sites in the protective and reflective coatings. A second surface microsheet glass concentrator would be inherently more atomic oxygen durable than these first surface concentrators. In addition, a second surface microsheet glass concentrator design provides a smooth optical surface and allows for silver to be used as a reflective layer, which would improve the reflectivity of the concentrator and the performance of the system. A potential threat to the performance of second surface microsheet glass concentrators is atomic oxygen attack of the underlying silver at seams and edges or at micrometeoroid and debris (MMD) impacts sites. Second surface silver microsheet glass concentrator samples were fabricated and tested for atomic oxygen durability. The samples were iteratively exposed to an atomic oxygen environment in a plasma asher. Samples were evaluated for potential degradation at fabrication seams, simulated MMD impact sites, and edges. Optical microscopy was used to evaluate atomic oxygen degradation. Reflectance was obtained for an impacted sample prior to and after atomic oxygen exposure. After an initial atomic oxygen exposure to an effective fluence of approx. 1 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(exp 2), oxidation of the silver at defect sites and edges was observed. Exposure to an additional approx. 1 x 10(exp 21) atoms/cm(exp 2) caused no observed increase in oxidation. Oxidation at an impact site caused negligible changes in reflectance. In all cases oxidation was found to be confined to the vicinity of the seams, impact sites, edges or defect sites. Asher to in-space atomic oxygen correlation issues will be addressed.

deGroh, Kim K.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Reflective and Electrically Conductive Surface Silvered Polyimide Films and Coatings Prepared via Unusual Single-Stage Self-Metallization Techniques

Highly reflective and/or surface conductive flexible polyimide films can be prepared by the incorporation of positive valent silver compounds into solutions of poly(amic acid)s formed from a variety of dianhydrides and diamines. Thermal curing of selected silver(I)-containing poly(amic acid)s leads to cycloimidization of the polyimide precursor with concomitant silver(I) reduction and surface aggregation of the metal yielding a reflective and/or conductive silver surface similar to that of the native metal. However, not all silver(I) precursors are effective surface metallization agents and not all poly(amic acid)s metallize with equal facility. Ligand/anion and polyimide structural effects on film metallization efficacy and on physical properties on metallized films are reviewed.

Southward, Robin E.↗

NASA NTRS2009

Evaluation of the Biocidal Efficacy of Different Forms of Silver Against Cupriavidus (formerly Wautersia) Species Bacteria

Contingency Water Containers (CWCs) are used to store potable and technical water that is transferred to the International Space Station (ISS) from the Shuttle orbiter vehicles. When CWCs are filled, water from the orbiter galley is passed through an ion exchange/activated carbon cartridge that removes the residual iodine biocide used on Shuttle before silver biocide is added. Removal of iodine and addition of silver is necessary to inhibit microbial growth inside CWCs and maintain compatibility with the water systems in the Russian segment of ISS. As part of nominal water transfer activities, crewmembers collect samples from several CWCs for postflight analysis. Results from the analysis of water transfer samples collected during the docked phases of STS-118/13A.1 and STS-120/10A showed that several of the CWCs contained up to 10(exp 4) CFU/mL of bacteria despite the fact that the silver concentrations in the CWCs were within acceptable limits. The samples contained pure cultures of a single bacteria, a Cupriavidus (formerly Wautersia) species that has been shown to be resistant to metallic biocides. As part of the investigation into the cause and remediation of the bacterial contamination in these CWCs, ground studies were initiated to evaluate the resistance of the Cupriavidus species to the silver biocides used on ISS and to determine the minimum effective concentration for the different forms of silver present in the biocides. The initial findings from those experiments are discussed herein.

Gazda, Daniel B.↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Madidrop for Passive Silver Dosing

Madidrop is a rectangular ceramic tablet originally designed to dose a 10-20-liter volume of water with silver to act as a biocide for remote communities with unreliable water sources. Silver as a biocide is a proposed method to control bacteria on the International Space Station or future Artemis missions. This would replace iodine currently used due to issues with a dual biocide system in place between Russian and US segments and the extra cost of iodine removal required before consumption. NASA has been reviewing this Madidrop technology and its potential application with a water reclamation system on orbit to dose silver after purifying the water. While there are a couple alternative methods to dosing silver on station, this method is like the existing passive dosing method used currently to dose iodine. Tests conducted characterize the manufacturer’s original intent to leave the tablet in a tank for a specified amount of time before removing and testing alternative passive flow-through methods. Passive flow testing involved two options: keeping the tablet intact or crushing the tablet into smaller particle sizes to increase the surface area while varying particle sizes. The results of these tests revealed a large amount of silver output at first that quickly reduced to a constant lower output within a reasonable dosing concentration range. The initial high concentration peaks after a couple days of quiescence and could be useful for shocking the initial tank water contents. Madidrop used as a passive particle doser could act as a stand-in replacement for iodine in future spaceflight water reclamation systems.

Ryan Ogilvie↗

NASA NTRS2024

Madidrop for Passive Silver Dosing

Ryan Ogilvie↗

DOE OSTI2019

Nanotwinned silver alloy film with controlled architecture

A technique for forming a material including nanotwinned silver crystals in solid solution with a solute that exhibits enhanced strength and desirable electrical conductivity, as compared to coarse-grained material. Synthesis of nanotwinned silver alloy material is achieved by cooling of a substrate and co-deposition of silver and the solute. Controlling the processing conditions of synthesis allows for tailoring of the nanostructure and mechanical properties of the nanotwinned silver alloy material. A material including nanotwinned silver crystals in solid solution with a solute also is described.

Ott, Ryan Timothy↗

DOE OSTI2018

Effects of Weathering on Mechanical, Antimicrobial Properties and Biodegradation Process of Silver Loaded TPE Compounds

The incorporation of antimicrobial metals such as silver is an alternative to protect the material against microbial attack. However, loaded polymer can lose its antimicrobial properties after some time of use, and the additive may even leak out into the environment becoming harmful to non-target organisms. This study aims to evaluate the mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity of silver containing thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) samples exposed to weathering and the influence of additive incorporation in material biodegradation in the soil. For this purpose, silver ions (Ag{sup +}-bentonite, Ag{sup +}-phosphate) and silver nanoparticles (AgNp-silica) based additives were blended in a formulation of SEBS, polypropylene and mineral oil. The test samples were exposed to natural ageing over nine months, and were then evaluated according to their mechanical properties, antimicrobial activity, and degree of crystallinity and surface characteristics. The biodegradation process before and after natural ageing was evaluated through the generation of carbon dioxide. The results show that the action of natural ageing reduced the mechanical properties of loaded and unloaded TPE, and modified the degree of crystallinity and the chemical characteristic of the TPE surface. The presence or type of additive did not influence material resistance after being exposed to weathering. A decrease in antimicrobial activity in samples after natural ageing was observed. At a variable level and according to the chemical content, generation of carbon dioxide from TPE samples was greater in aged samples than in unexposed ones.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2012

Silver decorated titanate/titania nanostructures for efficient solar driven photocatalysis

Photocatalysis has attracted significant interest to solve both the energy crisis and effectively combat environmental contamination. However, as the most widely used photocatalyst, titania (TiO{sub 2}) suffers from inefficient utilization of solar energy due to its wide band gap. In the present paper, we describe a method to extend the absorption edge of photocatalyst to visible region by the surface plasmon effect of silver. Silver ions are photo-reduced onto the surface of titanate nanotubes, which are synthesized by a conventional hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized Ag/titanate composite is transformed into Ag/titania nanoparticles by annealing at different temperatures. It is found that the interaction of Ag nanoparticles with the supports (titanate/titania) plays a key role for the visible light activity. The samples annealed at low temperature (<350 Degree-Sign C) do not show significant activity under our conditions, while the one annealed at 450 Degree-Sign C shows fast-degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible light irradiation. The detailed mechanisms are also discussed. - Graphical abstract: Silver nanoparticles decorated titanate/titania as visible light active photocatalysts: silver nanoparticles could be excited by visible light due to its surface plasmon effect and excited electrons could be transferred to the conduction band of the semiconductor, where the reduction process occurs. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Uniform Ag nanoparticles are photo-reduced onto titanate and titania nanostructures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Titania crystal is formed by annealing hydrogen titanate at different temperatures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Best visible-light activity is achieved by Ag-loaded titania annealed at 450 Degree-Sign C. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The visible light activity is attributed to the surface plasmonic resonance effect.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2013

Seed-mediated synthesis and structural analysis of hierarchical silver microparticles (HiAgMPs) with highly nanotextured surfaces

Highlights: • Hierarchical silver microparticles (HiAgMPs) were synthesized by the seed-mediated method using silver nanoplates as seeds. • The growth of HiAgMPs under various synthetic conditions was analyzed by time-dependent scanning electron microscopy. • The internal structure of HiAgMPs was thoroughly investigated by direct electron microscopic observation and N{sub 2} isotherm. - Abstract: We developed a novel method to synthesize hierarchical silver microparticles (HiAgMPs) with highly nanotextured surfaces based on the seed-mediated synthesis by using silver nanoplates as seeds. The synthetic conditions for the resultant HiAgMPs were intensively investigated with various types and concentrations of nanoparticle seeds at different Ag{sup +} concentrations. The growth mechanism of the HiAgMPs was studied by monitoring the morphological evolution at different growth phases. Importantly, we, for the first time, analyzed the internal structure of the HiAgMPs, which are composed of a packed core surrounded by a grooved shell. The catalytic properties of the HiAgMPs were investigated and determined to be highly active for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Distribution of copper, silver and gold during thermal treatment with brominated flame retardants

Highlights: • Copper, silver and gold during thermal treatment with brominated flame retardants. • Distribution of copper, silver and gold during thermal processing. • Thermodynamic considerations of the bromination reactions. - Abstract: The growing consumption of electric and electronic equipment results in creating an increasing amount of electronic waste. The most economically and environmentally advantageous methods for the treatment and recycling of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) are the thermal techniques such as direct combustion, co-combustion with plastic wastes, pyrolysis and gasification. Nowadays, this kind of waste is mainly thermally treated in incinerators (e.g. rotary kilns) to decompose the plastics present, and to concentrate metals in bottom ash. The concentrated metals (e.g. copper, precious metals) can be supplied as a secondary raw material to metal smelters, while the pyrolysis of plastics allows the recovery of fuel gases, volatilising agents and, eventually, energy. Indeed, WEEE, such as a printed circuit boards (PCBs) usually contains brominated flame retardants (BFRs). From these materials, hydrobromic acid (HBr) is formed as a product of their thermal decomposition. In the present work, the bromination was studied of copper, silver and gold by HBr, originating from BFRs, such as Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Tetrabromobisphenol A-Tetrabromobisophenol A diglycidyl ether (TTDE) polymer; possible volatilization of the bromides formed was monitored using a thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a laboratory-scale furnace for treating samples of metals and BFRs under an inert atmosphere and at a wide range of temperatures. The results obtained indicate that up to about 50% of copper and silver can evolve from sample residues in the form of volatile CuBr and AgBr above 600 and 1000 °C, respectively. The reactions occur in the molten resin phase simultaneously with the decomposition of the brominated resin. Gold is resistant to HBr and remains unchanged in the residue.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2012

Formation of silver nanoparticles inside a soda-lime glass matrix in the presence of a high intensity Ar{sup +} laser beam

Formation and motion of the silver nanoparticles inside an ion-exchanged soda-lime glass in the presence of a focused high intensity continuous wave Ar{sup +} laser beam (intensity: 9.2 x 10{sup 4} W/cm{sup 2}) have been studied in here. One-dimensional diffusion equation has been used to model the diffusion of the silver ions into the glass matrix, and a two-dimensional reverse diffusion model has been introduced to explain the motion of the silver clusters and their migration toward the glass surface in the presence of the laser beam. The results of the mentioned models were in agreement with our measurements on thickness of the ion-exchange layer by means of optical microscopy and recorded morphology of the glass surface around the laser beam axis by using a Mirau interferometer. SEM micrographs were used to extract the size distribution of the migrated silver particles over the glass surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2013

Growth mechanism of photoreduced silver nanostructures on periodically proton exchanged lithium niobate: Time and concentration dependence

Photodeposition of metallic nanostructures onto ferroelectric surfaces, which have been chemically patterned using a proton exchange process, has recently been demonstrated. By varying the molar concentration of the AgNO{sub 3} solution and the illumination time, one can determine the initial nucleation sites, control the rate of nucleation and the height of silver nanostructures formed, and study the mechanisms by which these processes occurs. The nanoparticles are found to deposit preferentially in the boundary between ferroelectric and proton exchanged regions, in an area proton exchanged via lateral diffusion under the masking layer used for chemical patterning, consistent with our previous results. Using a short illumination time (3 min), we are able to determine that the initial nucleation of the silver nanostructure, having a width of 0.17 {+-} 0.02 {mu}m and a height of 1.61 {+-} 0.98 nm, occurs near the edge of the reactive ion etched area within this lateral diffusion region. Over longer illumination times (15 min), we find that the silver deposition has spread to a width of 1.29 {+-} 0.06 {mu}m, extending across the entire lateral diffusion region. We report that at a high molar concentration of AgNO{sub 3} (10{sup -2} M), the amount of silver deposition for 5 min UV illumination is greater (2.88 {+-} 0.58 nm) compared to that at low (10{sup -4} M) concentrations (0.78 {+-} 0.35 nm), however, this is not the case for longer time periods. With increasing illumination time (15 min), experiments at 10{sup -4} M had greater overall deposition, 6.90 {+-} 1.52 nm, compared to 4.50 {+-} 0.76 nm at 10{sup -2} M. For longer exposure times (30 min) at 10{sup -2} M, the nanostructure height is 4.72 {+-} 0.59 nm, suggesting a saturation in the nanostructure height. The results are discussed in terms of the electric double layer that forms at the crystal surface. There is an order of magnitude difference between the Debye lengths for 10{sup -2} and 10{sup -4} M solutions, i.e., 3.04 vs. 30.40 nm, which suggests the Debye length plays a role in the availability of Ag{sup +} ions at the surface.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2014

Field-assisted patterned dissolution of silver nanoparticles in phosphate glass

Phosphate glass samples doped with silver ions through a Na⁺-Ag⁺ ion-exchange process were treated in a hydrogen atmosphere at temperatures near 430°C for durations ranging from 4 to 5 h. Such treatment causes metallic silver precipitation at the surface as well as nanoclustering of silver atoms under the surface under conditions very similar to those used for silicate glasses. The presence of silver clusters resulted in a characteristic coloring of the glass and was verified by the observation of a plasmon resonance peak near 410–420 nm in the absorption spectra. Applying a DC voltage between 1.4 and 2 kV at temperatures between 120 and 130°C led to dissolution of the clusters in the area under the positive electrode, thereby bleaching the glass color. The use of a patterned doped-silicon electrode further led to the formation of a 300 nm thick surface relief on the glass surface and of a volume complex permittivity grating extending at least 4 μm under the surface. Such volume complex refractive index gratings may find applications in passive or active (laser) photonic devices in rare-earth doped phosphate glasses, where conventional bulk grating formation techniques have limited applicability.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2015

Fabrication of large area plasmonic nanoparticle grating structure on silver halide based transmission electron microscope film and its application as a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate

The plasmonic responses of silver nanoparticle grating structures of different periods made on silver halide based electron microscope film are investigated. Raster scan of the conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to carry out electron beam lithography for fabricating the plasmonic nanoparticle grating (PNG) structures. Morphological characterization of the PNG structures, carried out by the SEM and the atomic force microscope, indicates that the depth of the groove decreases with a decrease in the grating period. Elemental characterization performed by the energy dispersive spectroscopy and the x-ray diffraction shows the presence of nanoparticles of silver in the PNG grating. The optical characterization of the gratings shows that the localized surface plasmon resonance peak shifts from 366 to 378 nm and broadens with a decrease in grating period from 10 to 2.5 μm. The surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy of the Rhodamine-6G dye coated PNG structure shows the maximum enhancement by two orders of magnitude in comparison to the randomly distributed silver nanoparticles having similar size and shape as the PNG structure.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗