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At least 343 records · Page 19

Trapping of xenon in ice - Implications for the origin of the earth's noble gases

Although the earth's atmosphere contains Ne, Ar, and Kr in about C1,2-chondrite proportions, Xe is depleted about 20-fold. To test the suggestion that the 'missing' Xe is trapped in Antarctic ice, distribution coefficients for Xe in artifically formed frost at -20 to -60 C were measured, using Xe-127 tracer. The values are 0.098 + or - 0.004 cc STP/g atm for trapping and less than 5 cc STP/g atm for trapping plus adsorption. If these results are representative of natural ice, then the Antarctic ice cap contains less than 1 percent of the atmospheric Xe inventory, or not greater than about 0.001 the amount needed for a C1,2-chondrite pattern. Two possibilities remain for the 'missing' Xe, both on the premise that the earth's noble gases, along with other volatiles, came from chondritic material: (1) xenon is preferentially retained in the mantle and lower crust, due to the strong affinity of Xe for clean silicate surfaces and amorphous carbon; and (2) the source material of the earth's volatiles had high, relatively unfractionated, Ar/Xe and Kr/Xe ratios, like the non-carbonaceous noble gas carriers in C3O and E-chondrites.

Wacker, J. F.↗

Comparative xenology of two angrites

Results are presented on Xe analysis during stepwise heating of the angrite meteorite Lewis Cliff 86010 and the Angra dos Reis angrite. It is shown that both the Lewis Cliff and the Angra dos Reis angrites are poor in trapped Xe and are rich in fission Xe from Pu-244 and in spallation Xe produced by cosmic ray irradiation of Ba and the light REE, and that neither meteorite has an excess of Xe-129 derived from I-129. Both meteorites show significant variations in the composition of the spallation Xe attributable to the separation of the Ba and REE components. The Ba-related spallation in Lewis Cliff differs from that in Angra dos Reis primarily in a lower relative yield of the neutron-sensitive Xe-131 isotope, suggesting a lower neutron flux during cosmic ray exposure for the Lewis Cliff meteorite.

Hohenberg, Charles M.↗

Ion Species Fractions in the Far-Field Plume of a High-Specific Impulse Hall Thruster

An ExB probe was used to measure the ion species fractions of Xe(+), Xe(2+), and Xe(3+) in the far-field plume of the NASA-173Mv2 laboratory-model Hall thruster. The thruster was operated at a constant xenon flow rate of 10 milligrams per second and discharge voltages of 300 to 900 V. The ExB probe was placed two meters downstream of the thruster exit plane on the thruster centerline. At a discharge voltage of 300 V, the species fractions of Xe(2+) and Xe(3+) were lower, but still consistent with, previous Hall thruster studies using other mass analyzers. Over discharge voltages of 300 to 900 V, the Xe(2+) species fractions increased from 0.04 to 0.12 and the Xe(3+) species fraction increased from 0.01 to 0.02.

Hofer, Richard R.↗

Reduced xenon diffusion for quantitative lung study--the role of SF(6)

The large diffusion coefficients of gases result in significant spin motion during the application of gradient pulses that typically last a few milliseconds in most NMR experiments. In restricted environments, such as the lung, this rapid gas diffusion can lead to violations of the narrow pulse approximation, a basic assumption of the standard Stejskal-Tanner NMR method of diffusion measurement. We therefore investigated the effect of a common, biologically inert buffer gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF(6)), on (129)Xe NMR and diffusion. We found that the contribution of SF(6) to (129)Xe T(1) relaxation in a 1:1 xenon/oxygen mixture is negligible up to 2 bar of SF(6) at standard temperature. We also measured the contribution of SF(6) gas to (129)Xe T(2) relaxation, and found it to scale inversely with pressure, with this contribution approximately equal to 1 s for 1 bar SF(6) pressure and standard temperature. Finally, we found the coefficient of (129)Xe diffusion through SF(6) to be approximately 4.6 x 10(-6) m(2)s(-1) for 1 bar pressure of SF(6) and standard temperature, which is only 1.2 times smaller than the (129)Xe self diffusion coefficient for 1 bar (129)Xe pressure and standard temperature. From these measurements we conclude that SF(6) will not sufficiently reduce (129)Xe diffusion to allow accurate surface-area/volume ratio measurements in human alveoli using time-dependent gas diffusion NMR.

Non-NASA Center↗

Noble Gases in Samples Returned From Asteroids Ryugu and Bennu

Introduction: The asteroid sample return missions, JAXA’s Hayabusa2 [1] and NASA’s OSIRIS-REx [2], fromC-rich asteroids Ryugu and Bennu offer unique opportunities to sample pristine early solar system material, unaffected by terrestrial weathering and contamination, and with a known geological context. The comparison with most primi-tive members of carbonaceous –and inner solar system ordinary and enstatite– chondrite classes allows us to (i) assess the variation (or the lack of thereof) of the distribution of the most volatile elements throughout the entire early solar system, (ii) determine the effects of parent body thermal and aqueous alteration, and (iii) learn about the dynamic evolution and history of the various parent bodies, as sampled by both return missions and meteorite delivery. Here we will present noble gas data obtained from newly received particles from Ryugu and Bennu. Samples & Analysis: We received nine particles allocated by JAXA, with masses of 0.5-1.7 mg mass: four col-lected during Hayabusa2’s first touchdown (chamber A) and five from a small artificial crater (chamber C). We received three particles from Bennu of 0.07, 0.89 and 0.94 mg mass (OREX-800032-102/3/4). All particles were processed, allocated, weighed, and transferred into our UHV sample chamber within pure N2, to prevent any contact with air. We examined all He-Xe isotopes with our custom-built mass spectrometer “Albatros” ([3,4]). Gases were extracted individually from each particle by melting induced by a 1064 μm Nd:YAG IR laser in 2–4 heating steps. Large amounts of water and other reactive volatiles were released, consistent with the presence of abundant volatiles from both Ryugu and Bennu. Residues of Ryugu particles remaining after lasering, subsequently exposed to air, were additionally extracted in a crucible to verify complete gas extraction. Only the particle that still showed a “crystalline” structure after lasering contained detectable Ryugu noble gases, whereas all other particles turned immediately into glassy spheres by laser heating and lacked any gas. Results & Discussion: Ryugu and Bennu matter contains noble gases similar to the most pristine, unheated aqueously altered meteorites, e.g., CM or CI chondrites [5,6]. Remarkably, all four chamber A samples that originated from Ryugu’s surface show solar wind (SW) Ne (trapped (20Ne/22Ne)tr ~12–13), whereas all five chamber C samples do not ((20Ne/22Ne)tr ~9.0–10.7 consistent with the presence of non-solar trapped Ne components such as Q and HL). This demonstrates that JAXA’s sampling strategy succeeded: Chamber C samples analyzed in this work originated from areas shielded from SW, slightly below the surface, that was sampled after the impactor excavated material. The three Bennu particles populate the same range as the Ryugu particles in Ne isotope space with one particle containing SW suggesting that it was part of the uppermost surface layer of Bennu during sampling, while Ne in the smallest sample can be explained best by mixing Ne from presolar diamonds and SiC or graphite, and that in the third one by mixing of, e.g., Q and HL. Using cosmic ray production rates given by [7] yields preliminary exposure ages for Ryugu particles in the same range as determined in [7]. There is, as expected, also no systematic difference between samples from chambers A and C because both sample sets were likely collected within the uppermost layer of Ryugu, which were not shielded from cosmic rays. The concentration of cosmogenic (cos) Ne in the Bennu particle, where Necos was resolvable, is in the same range as found for Ryugu, suggesting roughly similar exposure time to cosmic rays for 5–8 Ma for all particles examined here. The Xe isotopic compositions of all particles are consistent with those of phase Q, with small additions of Xe-HL from presolar diamonds and excess 129Xe* from short-lived 129I decay. The comparably high 129Xe*/129XeQ ratio is similar in all samples, suggesting similar initial I concentrations and closure to Xe loss –or the incorporation of a well-mixed Xe reservoir. The Bennu material was in brief contact with air in the capsule, after atmospheric entry and before storage in pure N2 in a clean room. Both, the –most diagnostic– Xe isotopes and the Ar/Xe vs. Kr/Xe systematics prove that the noble gases are not affected by terrestrial contamination, in contrast to many CI, CY, and CM chondrites found on Earth [5,6], illustrating the importance of sample return. He-Xe concentrations in all particles unaffected bySW are comparable to but at the upper end of ranges reported [5-7]. In accordance with the strong aqueous alteration experienced on the parent bodies of Ryugu and Bennu [1,2], all samples lack the Ar-rich and water-susceptible noble gas components found in less aqueously altered CMs or CRs [e.g., 5,8] and all COs.

Henner Busemann↗

AGR 5/6/7 Data Qualification Report for ATR Cycles 162B through 168A

This report provides the qualification status of experimental data for the Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) 5/6/7 fuel irradiation. AGR-5/6/7 was conducted in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in support of development and qualification of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) low-enriched fuel for use in high temperature gas-cooled reactors. The objectives of the AGR-5/6/7 experiments are to: (i) irradiate reference-design fuel particles to support fuel qualification, (ii) establish operating margins for the fuel beyond normal operating conditions, and (iii) provide irradiated-fuel performance data and irradiated-fuel samples for post-irradiation examination (PIE) and safety testing. The test train contains five separate capsules that were independently controlled and monitored. Each capsule contains multiple 12.51-mm-long compacts filled with low enriched uranium carbide/oxide (UCO) TRISO fuel particles. The primary objective of the AGR-5/6 test (Capsules 1, 2, 4, and 5) is to verify successful performance of the reference-design fuel under normal operating conditions. The AGR-7 test (Capsule 3) was designed to explore fuel performance at higher temperatures to demonstrate the capability of the fuel to withstand conditions beyond normal operating conditions in support of plant design and licensing. AGR 5/6/7 will also provide irradiated-fuel performance data on fission-gas release from failed particles during irradiation. The AGR-5/6/7 capsules were irradiated in the ATR northeast flux trap location. The experiment began on February 16, 2018 and ended on July 22, 2020, spanning nine ATR cycles over two and a half years. Thus, the AGR-5/6/7 fuel compacts were irradiated for a total of 360.9 effective full power days. The AGR 5/6/7 experiment was able to remain in the reactor core during all three Powered Axial Locator Mechanism (PALM) cycles (163A, 165A, and 167A) without overheating its fuel compacts. This report includes irradiation monitoring data from nine ATR Cycles: 162B, 163A, 164A, 164B, 165A, 166A, 166B, 167A, and 168A, as stored in the Nuclear Data Management and Analysis System (NDMAS). During irradiation, data records consisted of instantaneous measurements recorded every minute and provided by text files automatically every 2 hours. The AGR 5/6/7 data streams addressed in this report include thermocouple (TC) temperatures, sweep gas data (flow rates [capsule inlet, outlet, and downstream at detector], pressure, and moisture content), and Fission Product Monitoring System (FPMS) data (release rates and release to birth rate ratios [R/Bs]) for each of the five capsules. A total of 94,989,908 TC temperature and sweep gas data records were received and processed by NDMAS for AGR 5/6/7 irradiation. Of these records, 41,593,387 (or 43.7% of the total) met data collection and accuracy requirements and are labeled as Qualified. A total of 57,746,693 TC temperature readings were captured from 54 installed TCs. Among them, 10,034,676 TC temperature records (only 17.4%) were Qualified and 47,701,371 TC temperatures (or 82.6%) are Failed due to 48 TC failures (63.5%) and due to missing values (19.1%). To assess performance of the operational TCs, analysis of daily correlations between TCs found no evidence of virtual junction failure for any TCs. Analyses on control charts of TC temperature differences revealed trending in TC readings for TC2, 4, 5, and 13 in Capsule 3, but there is no conclusive indication of TC drift failure that caused those trends. Therefore, TC control charts are not used to disqualify TC data, but only for users’ consideration. For sweep gas flow rates, a total of 31,519,747 gas flow records (84.4%) are Qualified for use for AGR-5/6/7 experiment; 5,723,468 gas flow records (15.4%) are Failed due mostly to missing values; and 74,641 high sweep gas flow rates (0.2 %) are Trend. A large number of Failed missing TC temperature and gas flow values were caused by an error in the data output script that outputted a ‘NULL’ value when values were unchanged. This problem was fixed during the outage of Cycle 166B, which led to a substantially decreased number of missing values during the last three cycles. Nonetheless, a large amount of non-missing data remained because of the high data acquisition frequency (1-minute) and still provided sufficient data to effectively monitor the experiment as designed. For FPMS data, NDMAS received and processed fission product release and R/B data for nine ATR cycles, when ATR core reached full power during AGR 5/6/7 irradiation. These data consist of 110,388 release rate records and 110,388 R/B records for the twelve radionuclides (Kr 85m, Kr 87, Kr 88, Kr 89, Kr 90, Xe 131m, Xe 133, Xe 135, Xe 135m, Xe 137, Xe 138, and Xe 139) for each of the five capsules. Equivalent numbers of uncertainty records associated the release rates and R/B values were provided. To date, qualification status of the FPMS data stored in the NDMAS dat

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Computational determination of a primary diffusion mode in γ U-10Mo under irradiation

Low enriched uranium (< 20 % 235 U)-molybdenum (U-Mo) monolithic fuel is the primary candidate for high performance research and test reactors, and is in the process of being qualified to replace highly enriched uranium (≥ 20 % 23 5U) fuel. As part of the qualification process, it is critical to understand and predict the behavior of fission gas bubbles under irradiation, which affects fuel swelling and fuel failure. Mechanistic fuel models are being developed that can both reproduce the existing experimental data for fuel swelling, and be further applied to irradiation conditions beyond the experimental scope. Diffusion of species under irradiation conditions is an important parameter in the mechanistic fuel models; however, no temperature-relevant experimental diffusion data exists. In the present work, radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients of U, Mo, and Xe in λU-10wt.%Mo were calculated in the temperature range between 300 K and 1400 K via rate-theory models and molecular dynamics simulations with an embedded-atom method interatomic potential for the U-Mo-Xe system. Accordingly, total diffusion coefficients under relevant irradiation conditions are determined using previously obtained intrinsic thermal diffusion and radiation-driven diffusion coefficients, as well as the newly calculated radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients presented herein. Radiation-enhanced diffusion of U and Mo was dominant in the intermediate temperature range, whereas radiation-enhanced diffusion of Xe did not significantly contribute to total diffusion of Xe at the relevant fission rate densities. Radiation-enhanced diffusion of Xe became faster than both intrinsic thermal diffusion and radiation-driven diffusion at a fission rate density of 5 x 10 22 fissions/m 3 /s, which is higher than the typical fission rate density range in research reactors. The temperature regime that radiation-enhanced diffusion of each element dominated was dependent on the fission rate density. Finally, the total diffusion coefficients of U, Mo, and Xe, updated in this work, will be utilized as parameters in the mechanistic fuel models to help predict the behavior of fission gas bubbles under irradiation more accurately.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Modeling of fission gas diffusion and release for Gd 2 O 3 doped UO 2

Uranium dioxide (UO 2 ) is the primary nuclear fuel in light water reactors, and its excess neutronic reactivity can be controlled by adding burnable absorbers, such as Gd 2 O 3 . This burnable absorber has a large neutron absorption cross-section, lowering the high reactivity of the reactor's initial fuel load. However, there needs to be more understanding of how added Gd 2 O 3 influences the properties of UO 2 under irradiation. To understand the behavior of defects and fission gas in the UO 2 /Gd 2 O 3 system under irradiation, we use cluster dynamics modeling supported by density functional theory calculations. First, we calculate the formation energies of Gd point and cluster defects, and evaluate the temperature-dependent defect concentrations using the defect formation energies and entropies. We show that Gd is soluble in UO 2 , introducing a negative charge in the system. Using this information, we adapted the cluster dynamics code Centipede to model the influence of Gd on U self-diffusion and Xe diffusion in UO 2 with 10 wt% Gd 2 O 3 . Also, we analyzed the Xe diffusion as a function of Gd 2 O 3 concentration, showing that the Xe diffusivity is decreased, which means that the athermal diffusivity due to electronic stopping persists at higher temperatures. In conclusion, the decrease in Xe diffusion means that more Xe stays in the matrix, decreasing the Xe release, and lowering its influence of fission gas release on the thermomechanical properties of UO 2 .

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Hyperfine structure and isotope shifts of xenon measured for near-infrared transitions with Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy

Hyperfine structure and isotope shifts of Xe were investigated with Doppler-free saturated absorption spectroscopy for all transitions in the 820-841 nm spectral interval. The Xe samples were commercial gases of natural isotopic abundances. The measurements were performed by employing a widely tunable narrow line Ti:sapphire laser. The hyperfine structures for 129 Xe and 131 Xe were well resolved. For the transitions with the wavelengths in vacuum near 820.860 nm and 841.150 nm also isotope shifts of the even isotopes were clearly observed. The modeling of the shapes of the observed absorption lines qualitatively reproduces experimental spectral profiles. The measured absorption peaks of the hyperfine structure and isotope shifts of Xe isotopes present characteristic spectral fingerprints for their identification. Eventually, quantitative spectral analysis will provide isotopic abundances of natural, as well as radioactive Xe gas samples.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Materials Data on SbXeF9 by Materials Project

XeSbF9 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/c space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of four XeSbF9 clusters. Xe is bonded in a 4-coordinate geometry to four F atoms. There are a spread of Xe–F bond distances ranging from 1.97–2.42 Å. Sb is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six F atoms. There are a spread of Sb–F bond distances ranging from 1.89–2.01 Å. There are nine inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the fifth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the sixth F site, F is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Xe and one Sb atom. In the seventh F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the eighth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the ninth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on BiXeF9 by Materials Project

XeBiF9 crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of two XeBiF9 clusters. Xe is bonded in a rectangular see-saw-like geometry to four F atoms. There are a spread of Xe–F bond distances ranging from 1.98–2.21 Å. Bi is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six F atoms. There are a spread of Bi–F bond distances ranging from 2.02–2.26 Å. There are nine inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Bi atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Bi atom. In the fifth F site, F is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to one Xe and one Bi atom. In the sixth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the seventh F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Bi atom. In the eighth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Bi atom. In the ninth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Bi atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on GeXeF10 by Materials Project

XeF5GeF5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pnma space group. The structure is one-dimensional and consists of four XeF5 clusters and two GeF5 ribbons oriented in the (1, 0, 0) direction. In each XeF5 cluster, Xe is bonded in a distorted square pyramidal geometry to five F atoms. There is one shorter (1.97 Å) and four longer (1.98 Å) Xe–F bond length. There are four inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In each GeF5 ribbon, Ge is bonded to six F atoms to form corner-sharing GeF6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 42°. There are a spread of Ge–F bond distances ranging from 1.79–1.94 Å. There are three inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Ge atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Ge atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two equivalent Ge atoms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on SbXeO2F7 by Materials Project

XeO2FSbF6 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/c space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of four SbF6 clusters and four XeO2F clusters. In each SbF6 cluster, Sb is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six F atoms. There are a spread of Sb–F bond distances ranging from 1.90–1.95 Å. There are six inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the fifth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In the sixth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Sb atom. In each XeO2F cluster, Xe is bonded in a 3-coordinate geometry to two O and one F atom. Both Xe–O bond lengths are 1.85 Å. The Xe–F bond length is 2.03 Å. There are two inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on XeF3 by Materials Project

XeF2XeF4 is Copper structured and crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/c space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of two XeF2 clusters and two XeF4 clusters. In each XeF2 cluster, Xe is bonded in a linear geometry to two equivalent F atoms. Both Xe–F bond lengths are 2.08 Å. F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In each XeF4 cluster, Xe is bonded in a square co-planar geometry to four equivalent F atoms. All Xe–F bond lengths are 2.04 Å. F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on AsXeO2F7 by Materials Project

XeO2FAsF6 crystallizes in the orthorhombic P2_12_12_1 space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of four AsF6 clusters and four XeO2F clusters. In each AsF6 cluster, As is bonded in an octahedral geometry to six F atoms. There are a spread of As–F bond distances ranging from 1.74–1.82 Å. There are six inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one As atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one As atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one As atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one As atom. In the fifth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one As atom. In the sixth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one As atom. In each XeO2F cluster, Xe is bonded in a distorted trigonal non-coplanar geometry to two O and one F atom. Both Xe–O bond lengths are 1.84 Å. The Xe–F bond length is 2.03 Å. There are two inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on Os2Xe(O3F5)2 by Materials Project

XeF5Os2O6F5 crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pnma space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of four Os2O6F5 clusters and four XeF5 clusters. In each Os2O6F5 cluster, Os is bonded to three O and three F atoms to form distorted corner-sharing OsO3F3 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 24°. There is two shorter (1.71 Å) and one longer (1.72 Å) Os–O bond length. There are a spread of Os–F bond distances ranging from 2.00–2.17 Å. There are three inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Os atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Os atom. In the third O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Os atom. There are three inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two equivalent Os atoms. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Os atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Os atom. In each XeF5 cluster, Xe is bonded in a distorted square pyramidal geometry to five F atoms. There is three shorter (1.98 Å) and two longer (1.99 Å) Xe–F bond length. There are four inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Materials Data on BC6XeF11 by Materials Project

XeC3F4BF4(CF)3 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/c space group. The structure is zero-dimensional and consists of twelve fluoromethane molecules, four BF4 clusters, and four XeC3F4 clusters. In each BF4 cluster, B is bonded in a tetrahedral geometry to four F atoms. There are a spread of B–F bond distances ranging from 1.40–1.45 Å. There are four inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one B atom. In each XeC3F4 cluster, Xe is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one C and two F atoms. The Xe–C bond length is 2.13 Å. There are one shorter (2.03 Å) and one longer (2.05 Å) Xe–F bond lengths. There are three inequivalent C sites. In the first C site, C is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to one C and one F atom. The C–C bond length is 1.40 Å. The C–F bond length is 1.33 Å. In the second C site, C is bonded in a trigonal planar geometry to one Xe and two C atoms. The C–C bond length is 1.40 Å. In the third C site, C is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C and one F atom. The C–F bond length is 1.33 Å. There are four inequivalent F sites. In the first F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom. In the second F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C atom. In the third F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C atom. In the fourth F site, F is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Xe atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Xenon Trapping in Metal-Supported Silica Nanocages

Xenon (Xe) is a valuable and scarce noble gas used in various applications, including lighting, electronics, and anesthetics, among many others. It is also a volatile byproduct of the nuclear fission of uranium. In this work, a novel material architecture consisting of silicate nanocages in contact with a metal surface and an approach for trapping single Xe atoms in these cages is presented. The trapping is done at low Xe pressures and temperatures between 400 and 600 K, and the process is monitored in situ using synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Release of the Xe from the cages occurs only when heating to temperatures above 750 K. A model that explains the experimental trapping kinetics is proposed and tested using Monte Carlo methods. Density functional theory calculations show activation energies for Xe exiting the cages consistent with experiments. This work can have significant implications in various fields, including Xe production, nuclear power, nuclear waste remediation, and nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. The results are also expected to apply to argon, krypton, and radon, opening an even more comprehensive range of applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗