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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Load partitioning between ferrite/martensite and dispersed nanoparticles of a 9Cr ferritic/martensitic (F/M) ODS steel at high temperatures

In this study, a high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray technique was used to investigate the tensile deformation processes of a 9Cr-ODS ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steel at different temperatures. Two minor phases within the 9Cr-ODS F/M steel matrix were identified as Y2Ti2O7 and TiN by the high-energy X-ray diffraction, and confirmed by the analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) of scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The lattice strains of the matrix and particles were measured through the entire tensile deformation process. During the tensile tests, the lattice strains of the ferrite/martensite and the particles (TiN and Y2Ti2O7) showed a strong temperature dependence, decreasing with increasing temperature. Analysis of the internal stress at three temperatures showed that the load partitioning between the ferrite/martensite and the particles (TiN and Y2Ti2O7) was initiated during sample yielding and reached to a peak during sample necking. At three studied temperatures, the internal stress of minor phases (Y2Ti2O7 and TiN) was about 2 times that of F/M matrix at yielding position, while the internal stress of Y2Ti2O7 and TiN reached about 4.5-6 times and 3-3.5 times that of the F/M matrix at necking position, respectively. It indicates that the strengthening of the matrix is due to minor phases (Y2Ti2O7 and TiN), especially Y2Ti2O7 particles. Although the internal stresses of all phases decreased with increasing temperature from RT to 600 degrees C, the ratio of internal stresses of each phase at necking position stayed in a stable range (internal stresses of Y2Ti2O7 and TiN were about 4.5-6 times and 3-3.5 times of that of F/M matrix, respectively). The difference between internal stress of the F/M matrix and the applied stress at 600 degrees C is slightly lower than those at RI and 300 degrees C, indicating that the nanoparticles still have good strengthening effect at 600 degrees C. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Microstructure↗
DOE OSTI2014

Evolution of ion-induced nanoparticle arrays on GaAs surfaces

We have examined the evolution of irradiation-induced Ga nanoparticle (NP) arrays on GaAs surfaces. Focused-ion-beam irradiation of pre-patterned GaAs surfaces induces monotonic increases in the NP volume and aspect ratio up to a saturation ion dose, independent of NP location within the array. Beyond the saturation ion dose, the NP volume continues to increase monotonically while the NP aspect ratio decreases monotonically. In addition, the NP volumes (aspect ratios) are highest (lowest) for the corner NPs. We discuss the relative influences of bulk and surface diffusion on the evolution of Ga NP arrays.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Synergistic effect of polyaniline on stabilizing Pt nanoparticles in PEMFCs†

The stability of Pt nanoparticles on a carbon support is crucial for the lifespan of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells as well as other electrocatalysis systems such as electrolyzers. Here we took the approach of utilizing the covalently grafted polyaniline on carbon to stabilize Pt nanoparticles by simultaneously alleviating the particle migration and mitigating the Ostwald ripening, which are two major mechanisms for loss of the catalyst stability. A comprehensive investigation of the stability and performance of Pt catalyst nanoparticles on these supports reveals that the polyaniline can shift the Pt L edge binding energy and the Pt 4f peak energy, leading to the increased redox potential of the Pt nanoparticles and making them more resistant to oxidation. Interestingly, the highest polyaniline density (50 wt%) does not show the best catalyst stability, rather, the second (33 wt%) demonstrates the best catalyst stability among these catalysts. Combining the XPS, XAS and fuel cell stability studies, we concluded that the locations of the Pt nanoparticles over the polyaniline layer on the carbon surface depend on the surface density of the polyaniline over the carbon surface. The Pt nanoparticles in the 50 wt% polyaniline catalyst are wrapped by the polyaniline polymer but do not sit directly on the carbon surface, while Pt nanoparticles in the 33 wt% polyaniline catalyst sit on the carbon surface and are densely surrounded by the polyaniline polymer. The results show that the mass activity loss is 12.5% while the ECSA (electrochemically active surface area) loss is 37.1% after 30k cycles of accelerating stress test for the 33 wt% polyaniline catalyst, far exceeding the DOE 2020 target for MEA (i.e., mass activity loss < 50%, and ECSA loss < 40%). Overall, the polyaniline has a synergistic effect on mitigating the surface migration and slowing down the Ostwald ripening to stabilize the Pt nanoparticles in fuel cells. The novel strategy to stabilize Pt nanoparticles using polyaniline opens a new pathway in the development of highly stable catalysts: relying on the functionalization group on the carbon support, instead of just focusing on the catalyst itself.

Li, Chenzhao↗
DOE OSTI2015

Topological defect dynamics in operando battery nanoparticles

Topological defects can markedly alter nanomaterial properties. This presents opportunities for "defect engineering," where desired functionalities are generated through defect manipulation. However, imaging defects in working devices with nanoscale resolution remains elusive. We report three-dimensional imaging of dislocation dynamics in individual battery cathode nanoparticles under operando conditions using Bragg coherent diffractive imaging. Dislocations are static at room temperature and mobile during charge transport. During the structural phase transformation, the lithium-rich phase nucleates near the dislocation and spreads inhomogeneously. The dislocation field is a local probe of elastic properties, and we find that a region of the material exhibits a negative Poisson's ratio at high voltage. Operando dislocation imaging thus opens a powerful avenue for facilitating improvement and rational design of nanostructured materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Direct observation of metal nanoparticles as heterogeneous nuclei for the condensation of supersaturated organic vapors: Nucleation of size-selected aluminum nanoparticles in acetonitrile and n-hexane vapors

This work reports the direct observation and separation of size-selected aluminum nanoparticles acting as heterogeneous nuclei for the condensation of supersaturated vapors of both polar and nonpolar molecules. In the experiment, we study the condensation of supersaturated acetonitrile and n-hexane vapors on charged and neutral Al nanoparticles by activation of the metal nanoparticles to act as heterogeneous nuclei for the condensation of the organic vapor. Aluminum seed nanoparticles with diameters of 1 and 2 nm are capable of acting as heterogeneous nuclei for the condensation of supersaturated acetonitrile and hexane vapors. The comparison between the Kelvin and Fletcher diameters indicates that for the heterogeneous nucleation of both acetonitrile and hexane vapors, particles are activated at significantly smaller sizes than predicted by the Kelvin equation. The activation of the Al nanoparticles occurs at nearly 40% and 65% of the onset of homogeneous nucleation of acetonitrile and hexane supersaturated vapors, respectively. The lower activation of the charged Al nanoparticles in acetonitrile vapor is due to the charge-dipole interaction which results in rapid condensation of the highly polar acetonitrile molecules on the charged Al nanoparticles. The charge-dipole interaction decreases with increasing the size of the Al nanoparticles and therefore at low supersaturations, most of the heterogeneous nucleation events are occurring on neutral nanoparticles. No sign effect has been observed for the condensation of the organic vapors on the positively and negatively charged Al nanoparticles. The present approach of generating metal nanoparticles by pulsed laser vaporization within a supersaturated organic vapor allows for efficient separation between nucleation and growth of the metal nanoparticles and, consequently controls the average particle size, particle density, and particle size distribution within the liquid droplets of the condensing vapor. Strong correlation is found between the seed nanoparticle's size and the degree of the supersaturation of the condensing vapor. This result and the agreement among the calculated Kelvin diameters and the size of the nucleating Al nanoparticles determined by transmission electron microscopy provide strong proof for the development of a new approach for the separation and characterization of heterogeneous nuclei formed in organic vapors. These processes can take place in the atmosphere by a combination of several organic species including polar compounds which could be very efficient in activating charged nanoparticles and cluster ions of atmospheric relevance.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Slowing of Femtosecond Laser-Generated Nanoparticles in a Background Gas

The slowing of Pt nanoparticles in argon background gas was characterized by Rayleigh scattering imaging using a plume of nanoparticles generated by femtosecond laser through thin film ablation (fs-TTFA) of 20 nanometers-thick Pt films. The ablation was performed at threshold laser energy fluences for complete film removal to provide a well-defined plume consisting almost entirely of nanoparticles traveling with a narrow velocity distribution, providing a unique system to unambiguously characterize the slowing of nanoparticles during interaction with background gases. Nanoparticles of ~200 nm diameter were found to decelerate in background Ar gas with pressures less than 50 Torr in good agreement with a linear drag model in the Epstein regime. Based on this model, the stopping distance of small nanoparticles in the plume was predicted and tested by particle collection in an off-axis geometry, and size distribution analysis by transmission electron microscopy. These results permit a basis to interpret nanoparticle propagation through background gases in laser ablation plumes that contain mixed components.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The interfacial orientation relationship of oxide nanoparticles in a hafnium-containing oxide dispersion-strengthened austenitic stainless steel

This work reports comprehensive investigations on the orientation relationship of the oxide nanoparticles in a hafnium-containing austenitic oxide dispersion-strengthened 316 stainless steel. The phases of the oxide nanoparticles were determined by a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy–electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atom probe tomography and synchrotron X-ray diffraction to be complex Y–Ti–Hf–O compounds with similar crystal structures, including bixbyite Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}, fluorite Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}–HfO{sub 2} solid solution and pyrochlore (or fluorite) Y{sub 2}(Ti,Hf){sub 2−x}O{sub 7−x}. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the particle–matrix interfaces. Two different coherency relationships along with one axis-parallel relation between the oxide nanoparticles and the steel matrix were found. The size of the nanoparticles significantly influences the orientation relationship. The results provide insight into the relationship of these nanoparticles with the matrix, which has implications for interpreting material properties as well as responses to radiation. - Highlights: • The oxide nanoparticles in a hafnium-containing austenitic ODS were characterized. • The nanoparticles are Y–Hf–Ti–O enriched phases according to APT and STEM–EDS. • Two coherency and an axis-parallel orientation relationships were found by HR-TEM. • Particle size has a prominent effect on the orientation relationship (OR). • Formation mechanism of the oxide nanoparticles was discussed based on the ORs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Metabolism, Survival, and Gene Expression of Pseudomonas putida to Hematite Nanoparticles Mediated by Surface-Bound Humic Acid

Natural organic matter (NOM) is likely to coat naturally occurring nanoparticles (NNPs) in the soil environment and poses distinct effects on the interaction between NPs and soil microorganisms, however such topic has not been well investigated. This study explored the influence of nanoparticle surface-bound humic acid (HA, as a model NOM) on the toxicity of hematite NPs (i.e., nano-Fe2O3) to Pseudomonas putida (P. putida). Results showed that nano-Fe2O3 could inhibit the bacterial growth with an IC50 of 23.58 mg L-1, while nanoparticle surface-bound HA could significantly alleviate the P. putida toxicity of nano-Fe2O3. IC50 of nano-Fe2O3 increased to 4774.23 mg L-1 as a result of surface-saturation by HA. Co-precipitation experiment and transmission electron microscopy observation revealed that nanoparticle surface-bound HA prevented the adhesion of nano-Fe2O3 to the cells as well as limited cell internalization of nanoparticles due to the increased electrostatic repulsion. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly limited by the nanoparticle surface-bound HA. The prevention of adhesion and inhibition of ROS generation could account for the HA-mitigated nanotoxicity. Interfacial interactions between hematite NPs and cell membrane were also evaluated on the basis of the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory, and the magnitude of interaction energy barrier correlated well with the 48 h LC50 data of hematite NPs to P. putida. This result implies that metal oxide NPs with strong association with the cell surface might induce more severe cytotoxicity in microorganisms.

natural occurring nanoparticles, na, hematite, su,↗
DOE OSTI2015

Formation of Ge nanoparticles in SiO{sub x}N{sub y} by ion implantation and thermal annealing

Germanium nanoparticles embedded within dielectric matrices hold much promise for applications in optoelectronic and electronic devices. Here we investigate the formation of Ge nanoparticles in amorphous SiO{sub 1.67}N{sub 0.14} as a function of implanted atom concentration and thermal annealing temperature. Using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and other complementary techniques, we show Ge nanoparticles exhibit significant finite-size effects such that the coordination number decreases and structural disorder increases as the nanoparticle size decreases. While the composition of SiO{sub 1.67}N{sub 0.14} is close to that of SiO{sub 2}, we demonstrate that the addition of this small fraction of N yields a much reduced nanoparticle size relative to those formed in SiO{sub 2} under comparable implantation and annealing conditions. We attribute this difference to an increase in an atomic density and a much reduced diffusivity of Ge in the oxynitride matrix. These results demonstrate the potential for tailoring Ge nanoparticle sizes and structural properties in the SiO{sub x}N{sub y} matrices by controlling the oxynitride stoichiometry.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗