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At least 37 records · Page 2

Radiation-Induced Oxidation Reactions of 2-Selenouracil in Aqueous Solutions: Comparison with Sulfur Analog of Uracil

One-electron oxidation of 2-selenouracil (2-SeU) by hydroxyl (●OH) and azide (●N3) radicals leads to various primary reactive intermediates. Their optical absorption spectra and kinetic characteristics were studied by pulse radiolysis with UV-vis spectrophotometric and conductivity detection and by the density functional theory (DFT) method. The transient absorption spectra recorded in the reactions of ●OH with 2-SeU are dominated by an absorption band with an λmax = 440 nm, the intensity of which depends on the concentration of 2-SeU and pH. Based on the combination of conductometric and DFT studies, the transient absorption band observed both at low and high concentrations of 2-SeU was assigned to the dimeric 2c-3e Se-Se-bonded radical in neutral form (2●). The dimeric radical (2●) is formed in the reaction of a selenyl-type radical (6●) with 2-SeU, and both radicals are in equilibrium with Keq = 1.3 × 104 M−1 at pH 4 (below the pKa of 2-SeU). Similar equilibrium with Keq = 4.4 × 103 M−1 was determined for pH 10 (above the pKa of 2-SeU), which admittedly involves the same radical (6●) but with a dimeric 2c-3e Se-Se bonded radical in anionic form (2●−). In turn, at the lowest concentration of 2-SeU (0.05 mM) and pH 10, the transient absorption spectrum is dominated by an absorption band with an λmax = 390 nm, which was assigned to the ●OH adduct to the double bond at C5 carbon atom (3●) based on DFT calculations. Similar spectral and kinetic features were also observed during the ●N3-induced oxidation of 2-SeU. In principle, our results mostly revealed similarities in one-electron oxidation pathways of 2-SeU and 2-thiouracil (2-TU). The major difference concerns the stability of dimeric radicals with a 2c-3e chalcogen-chalcogen bond in favor of 2-SeU.

2-selenouracil↗

Per-Phase Control for CHB Converters with Negative-Sequence Current and DC Voltage Balancing Control

This paper presents a per-phase controller for a grid-connected Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converter featuring negative sequence current regulation and DC bus voltage balancing capabilities. Unlike conventional three-phase controllers, each phase of the CHB can be separately and controlled to regulate the DC voltage and reactive power flow. per-phase negative sequence current control strategy is incorporated into the proposed controller to ensure compliance with IEEE Standard 2800-2022, which requires the absorption of negative-sequence reactive current during grid voltage disturbances. Furthermore, a feed-forward control-based DC bus voltage balancing method is employed, which eliminates the need for the integrator commonly used in traditional approaches. The performance of the proposed controller is validated under various unbalanced grid scenarios and DC bus voltage imbalances through electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation using a three-phase, three-level grid-connected CHB–Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter testbed developed on MATLAB/Simulink. Additionally, the performance of the negative-sequence current regulation is investigated through simulation under different unbalanced grid voltage scenarios.

negative sequence current↗

Two-dimensional forms of robust CO 2 reduction photocatalysts

Photoelectrocatalysts that use sunlight to power the CO 2 reduction reaction will be crucial for carbon-neutral power and energy-efficient industrial processes. Scalable photoelectrocatalysts must satisfy a stringent set of criteria, such as stability under operating conditions, product selectivity, and efficient light absorption. Two-dimensional materials can offer high specific surface area, tunability, and potential for heterostructuring, providing a fresh landscape of candidate catalysts. From a set of promising bulk CO 2 reduction photoelectrocatalysts, we screen for candidate monolayers of these materials, then study their catalytic feasibility and suitability. For stable monolayer candidates, we verify the presence of visible-light band gaps, check that band edges can support CO 2 reduction, determine exciton binding energies, and compute surface reactivity. We find visible light absorption for SiAs, ZnTe, and ZnSe monolayers, and that due to a lack of binding, CO selectivity is possible. We thus identify SiAs, ZnTe, and ZnSe monolayers as targets for further investigation, expanding the chemical space for CO 2 photoreduction candidates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Proton Traffic Jam: Effect of Nanoconfinement and Acid Concentration on Proton Hopping Mechanism

Abstract The properties of the water network in concentrated HCl acid pools in nanometer‐sized reverse nonionic micelles were probed with TeraHertz absorption, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, and reactive force field simulations capable of describing proton hopping mechanisms. We identify that only at a critical micelle size of W 0 =9 do solvated proton complexes form in the water pool, accompanied by a change in mechanism from Grotthuss forward shuttling to one that favors local oscillatory hopping. This is due to a preference for H + and Cl − ions to adsorb to the micelle interface, together with an acid concentration effect that causes a “traffic jam” in which the short‐circuiting of the hydrogen‐bonding motif of the hydronium ion decreases the forward hopping rate throughout the water interior even as the micelle size increases. These findings have implications for atmospheric chemistry, biochemical and biophysical environments, and energy materials, as transport of protons vital to these processes can be suppressed due to confinement, aggregation, and/or concentration.

Adams, Ellen M.↗

Proton Traffic Jam: Effect of Nanoconfinement and Acid Concentration on Proton Hopping Mechanism

Abstract The properties of the water network in concentrated HCl acid pools in nanometer‐sized reverse nonionic micelles were probed with TeraHertz absorption, dielectric relaxation spectroscopy, and reactive force field simulations capable of describing proton hopping mechanisms. We identify that only at a critical micelle size of W 0 =9 do solvated proton complexes form in the water pool, accompanied by a change in mechanism from Grotthuss forward shuttling to one that favors local oscillatory hopping. This is due to a preference for H + and Cl − ions to adsorb to the micelle interface, together with an acid concentration effect that causes a “traffic jam” in which the short‐circuiting of the hydrogen‐bonding motif of the hydronium ion decreases the forward hopping rate throughout the water interior even as the micelle size increases. These findings have implications for atmospheric chemistry, biochemical and biophysical environments, and energy materials, as transport of protons vital to these processes can be suppressed due to confinement, aggregation, and/or concentration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

E ‐selective Semi‐hydrogenation of Alkynes under Mild Conditions by a Diruthenium Hydride Complex

Abstract The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of a new class of diruthenium hydrido carbonyl complexes bound to the t Bu PNNP expanded pincer ligand is described. Reacting t Bu PNNP with two equiv of RuHCl(PPh 3 ) 3 (CO) at 140 °C produces an insoluble air‐stable complex, which was structurally characterized as [Ru 2 ( t Bu PNNP)H(μ‐H)Cl(μ‐Cl)(CO) 2 ] ( 1 ) using solid‐state NMR, IR and X‐ray absorption spectroscopies and follow‐up reactivity. A reaction with KO t Bu results in deprotonation of a methylene linker to produce [Ru 2 ( t Bu PNNP * )H(μ‐H)(μ‐O t Bu)(CO) 2 ] ( 3 ) featuring a partially dearomatized naphthyridine core. This enables metal‐ligand cooperative activation of H 2 analogous to the mononuclear analogue, [Ru( t Bu PNP*)H(CO)]. In contrast to the mononuclear system, the bimetallic analogue 3 catalyzes the E ‐selective semi‐hydrogenation of alkynes at ambient temperature and atmospheric H 2 pressure with good functional group tolerance. Monitoring the semi‐hydrogenation of diphenylacetylene by 1 H NMR spectroscopy shows the intermediacy of Z ‐stilbene, which is subsequently isomerized to the E ‐isomer. Initial findings into the mode of action of this system are provided, including the spectroscopic characterization of a polyhydride intermediate and the isolation of a deactivated species with a partially hydrogenated naphthyridine backbone.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Post-Wildfire Mobilization of Organic Carbon

Wildfires significantly alter watershed functions, particularly the mobilization of organic carbon (OC). This study investigated OC mobility and the physicochemical characteristics of wildfire-impacted soils and ashes from the northern California and Nevada fires (Dixie, Beckworth, Caldor). Organic carbon in wildfire-derived ashes (9.2–57.3 mg/g) generally exceeded levels in the background soils (4.3–24.4 mg/g), except at the Dixie fire sites. The mobile OC fraction varied from 0.0093 to 0.029 in ashes and 0.010 to 0.065 in soils, though no consistent trend was observed between the ashes and soils. Notably, the ash samples displayed lower OC mobility compared with the soils beneath them. A negative correlation was found between the mobile OC fraction and bulk OC content. Wildfire increased the total amount of mobile OC substantially by 5.2–574% compared to the background soils. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra confirmed the presence of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), which correlated with observed redox reactivity. Additionally, X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging revealed that Fe(II) oxidation in soils beneath the ashes may have enhanced the OC mobility, likely driven by pyrogenic carbon and free radicals. These findings enhance our understanding of post-wildfire OC mobilization and the impact of ash–soil physicochemical properties on watershed health.

organic carbon↗

Material Compatibility Testing of Green Hydrazine

Green Hydrazine Propellant Blend (GHPB) is a new green propellant developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne and selected for continued testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). It primarily differs from previous "green” propellants by maintaining traditional hydrazine as the base constituent, along with additives that are intended to increase handling safety by lowering the concentration of hydrazine in the vapor. GSFC has performed material compatibility testing. The scope of this campaign included materials that are common in spacecraft or ground support equipment (GSE), and also included typical safety materials (e.g. permeation rates through gloves). The conclusion in a broad sense is that GHPB is less reactive than hydrazine, including the absorption of metals into the propellant, as examined by Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis of metals uptake.

Eric H Cardiff↗

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↗

Unveiling the Mechanism of Mn Dissolution Through a Dynamic Cathode‐Electrolyte Interphase on LiMn2O4

Abstract Understanding the formation and evolution of the cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI), which forms at the interface between the cathode and electrolyte, is crucial for revealing degradation mechanisms in cathode materials, especially for developing strategies to stabilize the interphase in the strongly oxidizing conditions that evolve at high operating voltages in next‐generation Li‐ion batteries. However, The present understanding of the CEI is challenged by its complex and dynamic nature. In this work, near‐edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, electrochemical characterization, and reactive molecular dynamics simulations are combined to reveal a mechanism for CEI formation and evolution above model LiMn 2 O 4 (LMO) thin‐film electrodes in contact with conventional carbonate‐based electrolytes. It is found that Mn dissolution from LMO can be understood in terms of repetitive Mn 3 O 4 formation and dissolution behavior during cycling, which is closely connected to electrolyte decomposition and a key aspect of the CEI formation and growth. The behavior of the CEI in this model system offers detailed insight into the dynamic chemistry of the interphase, underscoring the important role of electrolyte composition and cathode surface structure in interphase degradation.

Ou, Wenhan↗

Reactive Separations of CO/CO 2 mixtures over Ru–Co Single Atom Alloys

Reactive separations of CO/CO 2 mixtures are a promising pathway to lower the energy requirement of CO 2 hydrogenation to chemicals and fuels, with applications in the U.S. Navy’s seawater-to-fuel process. With the CO/CO 2 feedstock, a challenge is activating CO to produce heavier hydrocarbons while preventing CO 2 methanation, requiring low-temperature Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) catalysts. In this work, we demonstrate that a Ru–Co single atom alloy (SAA) catalyst produces C 5+ hydrocarbons at a rate of 11.7 μmol/s/g-cobalt (hexane basis) in a 50/50 CO/CO 2 stream with ≤1% CO 2 conversion. The reaction operates at a relatively low temperature (200 °C) and high gas hourly space velocity (GHSV: 84,000 mL/g/h) that is compatible with the upstream reverse water-gas shift reaction. Detailed experiments, catalyst characterizations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been conducted to understand the active phase, the role of the Ru dopant, and catalyst restructuring that occurs at elevated temperatures (>200 °C). Ru dopants are found to promote the reduction of Co species, enabling catalytic activity for CO hydrogenation without pre-reduction, but may not enhance the FTS activity or desired C 5+ hydrocarbon selectivity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Thermal and electric multidomain dynamic model for integration of power grid distribution with behind-the-meter devices

As renewable energy sources like solar and wind power become more integrated into the grid, coordinated control of behind-the-meter devices is crucial for enhancing grid flexibility and reliability and for meeting cost targets, with standardized models being developed to support this transition. The increasing flexibility and uncertainty of integrated renewable energy grids, along with interactions between various subsystems, make traditional steady-state modeling insufficient to capture transient and dynamic behaviors. Current models (e.g., composite load and battery equivalent models) focus on thermodynamic or electrical characteristics but overlook critical electromechanical interactions. This limits the ability to share performance information for grid services and hampers fast dynamic simulations. In addition, motor stalling is usually triggered by a fault event and attributed to the characteristics of the mechanical torque of the motor, resulting in absorption of a large amount of reactive power during the stalling period. Further, this significant withdrawal of reactive power will deteriorate the dynamic voltage stability of power grids and cause delayed voltage recovery. Therefore, an in-depth modeling of the thermodynamics or mechanical torque is essential to study the impacts of the realistic torque characteristics of those behind-the-meter devices on power system voltage stability. This study developed a dynamic multidomain model for building HVAC systems, such as air-source heat pumps, to simulate their thermal and electrical responses to grid transients. The model can accurately predict power metrics with a mean absolute percentage error of 10%, by validating against with power system computer-aided design performance data. Case studies demonstrate the model capability of capturing the transient response to sudden voltage changes, rapid load fluctuations, and system shutdowns respectively. During a sudden voltage drop (30% for 0.1s), a fully loaded heat pump’s motor speed dropped, continued declining, and shut down after 3.6s, with severe power oscillations and a torque spike. A partially loaded unit experienced temporary oscillations but stabilized. Under higher building loads, compressor speed increased from 64% to 100%, with power and torque rising before stabilizing. In safety-triggered shutdowns, power decreased after minor fluctuations, and torque briefly spiked before dropping to zero.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

The Effect of O2, H2O, and N2 on the Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of an Alpha + Beta Titanium Alloy at 24 C and 177 C

To study the effects of atmospheric species on the fatigue crack growth behavior of an a+B titanium alloy (Ti 6-2-2-2-2) at room temperature and 177 C, fatigue tests were performed in laboratory air, ultrahigh vacuum, and high purity water vapor, oxygen, nitrogen and helium at various partial pressures. Accelerated fatigue crack growth rates in laboratory air compared to ultrahigh vacuum are linked to the damaging effects of both water vapor and oxygen. Observations of the fatigue crack growth behavior in ultrahigh purity environments, along with surface film analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), suggest that multiple crack-tip processes govern the damaging effects of air. Three possible mechanisms are proposed: 1) at low pressure (less than 10(exp -1) Pa), accelerated da/dN is likely due to monolayer adsorption on crack-tip surfaces presumably resulting in decreased bond strengths at the fatigue crack tip, 2) for pressures greater than 10(exp -1) Pa, accelerated da/dN in oxygen may result from oxidation at the crack tip limiting reversible slip, and 3) in water vapor, absorption of atomic hydrogen at the reactive crack tip resulting in process zone embrittlement.

Smith, Stephen W.↗

Global and Regional Decreases in Tropospheric Oxidants from Photochemical Effects of Aerosols

We evaluate the sensitivity of tropospheric OH, O3, and O3 precursors to photochemical effects of aerosols not usually included in global models: (1) aerosol scattering and absorption of ultraviolet radiation and (2) reactive uptake of HO', NO2, and NO3. Our approach is to couple a global 3-D model of tropospheric chemistry (GEOS- CHEM) with aerosol fields from a global 3-D aerosol model (GOCART). Reactive uptake by aerosols is computed using reaction probabilities from a recent review (gamma(sub HO2) = 0.2, gamma(sub NO2) = 10(exp -4), gamma(sub NO3) = l0(exp -3). Aerosols decrease the O3 - O((sup 1)D) photolysis frequency by 5-20% at the surface throughout the Northern Hemisphere (largely due to mineral dust) and by a factor of 2 in biomass burning regions (largely due to black carbon). Aerosol uptake of HO2 accounts for 10-40% of total HOx radical ((triple bonds)OH + peroxy) loss in the boundary layer over polluted continental regions (largely due to sulfate and organic carbon) and for more than 70% over tropical biomass burning regions (largely due to organic carbon). Uptake of NO2 and NO3 accounts for 10-20% of total HNO3 production over biomass burning regions and less elsewhere. Annual mean OH concentrations decrease by 9% globally and by 5-35% in the boundary layer over the Northern Hemisphere. Simulated CO increases by 5- 15 ppbv in the remote Northern Hemisphere, improving agreement with observations. Simulated boundary layer O3 decreases by 15- 45 ppbv over India during the biomass burning season in March and by 5-9 ppbv over northern Europe in August, again improving comparison with observations. We find that particulate matter controls would increase surface O3 over Europe and other industrial regions.

Martin, Randall V.↗

Ion-Pair Reorganization Regulates Reactivity in Photoredox Catalysts

Cyclometalated and polypyridyl complexes of d6 metals are promising photoredox catalysts, using light to drive reactions with high kinetic or thermodynamic barriers via the generation of reactive radical intermediates. However, while tuning of their redox potentials, absorption energy, excited-state lifetime and quantum yield are well-known criteria for modifying activity, other factors could be important. Here we show that dynamic ion-pair reorganization controls the reactivity of a photoredox catalyst, [Ir[dF(CF3)ppy]2(dtbpy)]X. Time-resolved dielectric-loss experiments show how counter-ion identity influences excited-state charge distribution, evincing large differences in both the ground- and excited-state dipole moment depending on whether X is a small associating anion (PF6-) that forms a contact-ion pair versus a large one that either dissociates or forms a solvent-separated pair (BArF4-). These differences correlate with the reactivity of the photocatalyst toward both reductive and oxidative electron transfer, amounting to a 4-fold change in selectivity toward oxidation versus reduction. These results suggest that ion pairing could be an underappreciated factor that modulates reactivity in ionic photoredox catalysts.

catalysis↗

Trace Key Mechanistic Features of the Arsenite Sequestration Reaction with Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) is considered as a highly efficient material for sequestrating arsenite, but the origin of its high efficacy as well as the chemical transformations of arsenite during reaction is not well understood. Here, in this study, we report an in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) study to investigate the complex mechanism of nZVI reaction with arsenite under anaerobic conditions at the time scale from seconds to days. The time-resolved XAS analysis revealed a gradual oxidation of As III to As V in the course of minutes to hours in both the solid and liquid phase for the high (above 0.5 g/L) nZVI dose system. When the reaction time increased up to 60 days, As V became the dominant species. The quick-scanning extended X-ray absorption fine structure (QEAXFS) was introduced to discover the transient intermediate at the highly reactive stage, and a small red-shift in As K-edge absorption edge was observed. The QEAXFS combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggested that the red-shift is likely due to the electron donation in a Fe-O-As complex and possible active sites of As sequestrations include Fe(OH) 4 and 4-Fe cluster. This is the first time that the transient reaction intermediate was identified in the As-nZVI sequestration system at the fast-reacting early stage. This study also demonstrated usefulness of in situ monitoring techniques in environmental water research.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between National Energy Technology Laboratory and University of Kentucky (Abstract)

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and University of Kentucky (Participant) will collaborate in the development of “Deep Learning Potential-based Molecular Dynamics Simulation Investigation of Chemical Conversion-Absorption Coupling of CO 2 at Air-Reactive Deep Eutectic Solvent Interface.” This project is supported by DOE-Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program and managed by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are promising alternative sorbents for direct air capture (DAC) CO 2 due to their low vapor pressure, low corrosion, non-toxicity, relatively low cost, and biodegradable nature. Understanding the CO 2 reaction-transport mechanisms at the interface can help develop cost-effective DAC by DESs with high capacity and stability. The collaboration will investigate the absorption and chemical conversion of CO 2 at the air-DES interface to facilitate the development of novel DAC technology using reactive DESs. The anticipated results will make DAC more efficient, allow more sustainable use of our Nation’s fossil energy resources, and advance NETL’s ongoing CO 2 capture efforts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Photocatalytic Biocidal Coatings Featuring Zr 6 Ti 4 -Based Metal–Organic Frameworks

The world is currently suffering socially, economically, and politically from the recent pandemic outbreak due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and those in hospitals, schools, and elderly nursing homes face enhanced threats. Healthcare textiles, such as masks and medical staff gowns, are susceptible to contamination of various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. Here, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can potentially address these challenges due to their tunable reactivity and ability to be incorporated as porous coatings on textile materials. Here, we report how incorporating titanium into the zirconium-pyrene-based MOF NU-1000, denoted as NU-1012, generates a highly reactive biocidal photocatalyst. This MOF features a rare ligand migration phenomenon, and both the Ti/Zr center and the pyrene linker act synergistically as dual active centers and widen the absorption band for this material that results in enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation upon visible light irradiation. Additionally, we found the ligand migration process is generally applicable to other csq topology Zr-MOFs. Importantly, NU-1012 can be easily incorporated onto cotton textile cloths as a coating, and the resulting composite material demonstrates fast and potent biocidal activity against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli), Gram-positive bacteria (S. epidermidis), and T7 bacteriophage virus with up to a 7-log (99.99999%) reduction within one hour under simulated daylight.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗