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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 361 records · Page 20
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Measurement and modeling of short and medium range order in amorphous Ta 2 O 5 thin films

Here, amorphous films and coatings are rapidly growing in importance. Yet, there is a dearth of high-quality structural data on sub-micron films. Not understanding how these materials assemble at atomic scale limits fundamental insights needed to improve their performance. Here, we use grazing-incidence x-ray total scattering measurements to examine the atomic structure of the top 50–100 nm of Ta 2 O 5 films; mirror coatings that show high promise to significantly improve the sensitivity of the next generation of gravitational-wave detectors. Our measurements show noticeable changes well into medium range, not only between crystalline and amorphous, but also between as-deposited, annealed and doped amorphous films. It is a further challenge to quickly translate the structural information into insights into mechanisms of packing and disorder. Here, we illustrate a modeling approach that allows translation of observed structural features to a physically intuitive packing of a primary structural unit based on a kinked Ta-O-Ta backbone. Our modeling illustrates how Ta-O-Ta units link to form longer 1D chains and even 2D ribbons, and how doping and annealing influences formation of 2D order. We also find that all the amorphousTa 2 O 5 films studied in here are not just poorly crystalline but appear to lack true 3D order.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Chemical ordering in substituted fluorite oxides: a computational investigation of Ho 2 Zr 2 O 7 and RE 2 Th 2 O 7 (RE=Ho, Y, Gd, Nd, La)

Fluorite-structured oxides find widespread use for applications spanning nuclear energy and waste containment, energy conversion, and sensing. In such applications the host tetravalent cation is often partially substituted by trivalent cations, with an associated formation of charge-compensating oxygen vacancies. The stability and properties of such materials are known to be influenced strongly by chemical ordering of the cations and vacancies, and the nature of such ordering and associated energetics are thus of considerable interest. Here we employ density-functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the structure and energetics of cation and oxygen-vacancy ordering in Ho 2 Zr 2 O 7 . In a recent neutron total scattering study, solid solutions in this system were reported to feature local chemical ordering based on the fluorite-derivative weberite structure. The calculations show a preferred chemical ordering qualitatively consistent with these findings, and yield values for the ordering energy of 9.5 kJ/mol-cation. Similar DFT calculations are applied to additional RE 2 Th 2 O 7 '' fluorite compounds, spanning a range of values for the ratio of the tetravalent and trivalent (RE) cation radii. Finally, the results demonstrate that weberite-type order becomes destabilized with increasing values of this size ratio, consistent with an increasing energetic preference for the tetravalent cations to have higher oxygen coordination.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Polyamorphism in Yb-based metallic glass induced by pressure

The Yb 62.5 Zn 15 Mg 17.5 Cu 5 metallic glass is investigated using synchrotron x-ray total scattering method up to 38.4 GPa. The polyamorphic transformation from low density to high density with a transition region between 14.1 and 25.2 GPa is observed, accompanying with a volume collapse reflected by a discontinuousness of isothermal bulk modulus. This collapse is caused by that distortional icosahedron short range order precedes to perfect icosahedron, which might link to Yb 4f electron delocalization upon compression, and match the result of in situ electrical resistance measurement under high pressure conditions. Furthermore, this discovery in Yb-based metallic glass, combined with the previous reports on other metallic glass systems, demonstrates that pressure induced polyamorphism is the general behavior for typical lanthanide based metallic glasses.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

A green-yellow emitting oxyfluoride solid solution phosphor Sr[subscript 2]Ba(AlO[subscript 4]F)[subscript 1;#8722;x](SiO[subscript 5])x:Ce[superscript 3+] for thermally stable, high color rendition solid state white lighting

A near-UV excited, oxyfluoride phosphor solid solution Sr{sub 1.975}Ce{sub 0.025}Ba(AlO{sub 4}F){sub 1-x}(SiO{sub 5}){sub x} has been developed for solid state white lighting applications. An examination of the host lattice, and the local structure around the Ce{sup 3+} activator ions through a combination of density functional theory, synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction and total scattering, and electron paramagnetic resonance, points to how chemical substitutions play a crucial role in tuning the optical properties of the phosphor. The maximum emission wavelength can be tuned from green ({lambda}{sub em} = 523 nm) to yellow ({lambda}{sub em} = 552 nm) by tuning the composition, x. Photoluminescent quantum yield is determined to be 70 {+-} 5% for some of the examples in the series. Excellent thermal properties were found for the x = 0.5 sample, with the photoluminescence intensity at 160 C only decreased to 82% of its room temperature value. Phosphor-converted LED devices fabricated using an InGaN LED ({lambda}{sub max} = 400 nm) exhibit high color rendering white light with R{sub a} = 70 and a correlated color temperature near 7000 K. The value of R{sub a} could be raised to 90 by the addition of a red component, and the correlated color temperature lowered to near 4000 K.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

In situ X-ray pair distribution function analysis of accelerated carbonation of a synthetic calcium-silicate-hydrate gel

Calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) gel is the main binder component in hydrated ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste, and is known to play a crucial role in the carbonation of cementitious materials, especially for more sustainable alternatives containing supplementary cementitious materials. However, the exact atomic structural changes that occur during carbonation of C–S–H gel remain unknown. Here, we investigate the local atomic structural changes that occur during carbonation of a synthetic calcium–silicate–hydrate gel exposed to pure CO₂ vapour, using in situ X-ray total scattering measurements and subsequent pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. By analysing both the reciprocal and real-space scattering data as the C–S–H carbonation reaction progresses, all phases present during the reaction (crystalline and non-crystalline) have been identified and quantified, with the results revealing the emergence of several polymorphs of crystalline calcium carbonate (vaterite and calcite) in addition to the decalcified C–S–H gel. Furthermore, the results point toward residual calcium being present in the amorphous decalcified gel, potentially in the form of an amorphous calcium carbonate phase. As a result of the quantification process, the reaction kinetics for the evolution of the individual phases have been obtained, revealing new information on the rate of growth/dissolution for each phase associated with C–S–H gel carbonation. Moreover, the investigation reveals that the use of real space diffraction data in the form of PDFs enables more accurate determination of the phases that develop during complex reaction processes such as C–S–H gel carbonation in comparison to the conventional reciprocal space Rietveld analysis approach.

Morandeau, Antoine E.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermally activated rotational disorder in CaMoO 4 nanocrystals

In this study, a dual-space approach, combining Rietveld and pair distribution function (PDF) analyses, has been applied to temperature-dependent synchrotron X-ray total scattering data collected on vapor diffusion sol–gel derived CaMoO 4 nanocrystals. A sharp transition in Ca–O bond distances in the range of 151–163 K was identified by PDF analysis, which is attributed to the thermal activation of rotational disorder associated with the rigid MoO 4 tetrahedra.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Resolving Local Configurational Contributions to X-ray and Neutron Radial Distribution Functions Within Solutions of Concentrated Electrolytes – A Case Study of Concentrated NaOH

Extreme conditions of complex materials often lead to a manifold of local environments that challenge characterization and require new advances at the intersection of modern experimental and theoretical techniques. In this contribution, highly caustic and viscous aqueous NaOD solutions were characterized with a combination of X-ray and neutron radial distribution function (RDF) analyses, molecular dynamics simulations and sub-ensemble analysis. The interpretation of the experimental RDFs extends beyond the traditional understanding of atom-pair interactions and to the individual contributions of specific molecular-scale configurations (below 3.5 Å). This integrated approach yields unique insight into the complex and significant breath of ion solvation and pairing structural motifs present, the experimental sensitivity of RDFs to changes in local geometries, and the challenge of experimentally differentiating the ensemble of all superimposed local environments — a feature of increasing importance within the extreme condition of high ionic strength. This study was facilitated by the development of a chemically resistant sample cell for in-situ neutron total scattering measurements of highly caustic materials at elevated temperature and pressure conditions. Advancing these integrated capabilities is critical for ongoing model validation efforts and for extending the predictive capabilities needed for the extremes of chemical composition, aiding a variety of industrial processes that include advanced nuclear waste remediation and metal refining strategies.

Semrouni, David↗
DOE OSTI2018

Bond Valences and Anharmonicity in Vacancy-Ordered Double Perovskite Halides

We report that anharmonic lattice dynamics are intimately linked with optical and electronic properties in perovskite halides semiconductors. Vacancy-ordered double perovskites are a subset of the perovskite halide family containing isolated octahedral units. The absence of polyhedral connectivity engenders the vacancy-ordered double perovskites with additional degrees of dynamic freedom, which presents an ideal structural framework to study dynamic-property relationships in perovskite halide semiconductors. In the present study, we examine the structure and bonding origins of anharmonicity in the vacancy-ordered double perovskites Cs 2 Sn 1-x Te x I 6 . While X-ray diffraction indicates that all members adopt the cubic vacancy-ordered double perovskite structure, the local coordination environment probed by X-ray pair distribution function (XPDF) analysis reveals asymmetry of the Cs–I/I–I pair correlation that smoothly decreases with increasing tellurium content. Temperature-dependent neutron total scattering suggests that this asymmetry in the PDF occurs due to anharmonic lattice dynamics arising from octahedral tilting and Cs + displacements, as supported by Reverse Monte Carlo simulations of the Cs 2 SnI 6 and Cs 2 TeI 6 end members. We further correlate the trends in asymmetry and anharmonicity with the bond valence sum of the Cs + ion, and find that the anharmonicity vanishes when the bonding preferences of the Cs + are satisfied by the size of the cuboctahedral void. Lastly, this study presents a simple and effective approach for understanding the origin of anharmonicity in vacancy-ordered double perovskite materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Cluster defects in gibbsite nanoplates grown at acidic to neutral pH

Gibbsite [α-Al(OH) 3 ] is the solubility limiting phase for aluminum across a wide pH range, and it is a common mineral phase with many industrial applications. The growth mechanism of this layered-structure material, however, remains incompletely understood. Synthesis of gibbsite at low to circumneutral pH yields nanoplates with substantial interlayer disorder. Here we examine defects in this material in detail, and the effects of recrystallization in highly alkaline sodium hydroxide solution at 80 °C. We employed a multimodal approach, including scanning electron microscopy, magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR), Raman and infrared spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray total scattering pair distribution function (XPDF) analysis to characterize the ageing of the nanoplates over several days. Additionally, XRD and XPDF indicate that gibbsite nanoplates precipitated at circumneutral pH contain dense, truncated sheets imparting a local difference in interlayer distance. These interlayer defects appear well described by flat Al 13 aluminum hydroxide nanoclusters nearly isostructural with gibbsite sheets present under synthesis conditions and trapped as interlayer inclusions during growth. Ageing at elevated temperature in alkaline solutions gradually improves crystallinity, showing a gradual increase in H-bonding between interlayer OH groups. Between 7 to 8 vol% of the initial gibbsite nanoparticles exhibit this defect, with the majority of differences disappearing after 2–4 hours of recrystallization in alkaline solution. The results not only identify the source of disorder in gibbsite formed under acidic/neutral conditions but also point to a possible cluster-mediated growth mechanism evident through inclusion of relict oligomers with gibbsite-like topology trapped in the interlayer spaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Temperature-dependent behavior in the local structure of BaTiO 3 nanocrystals

Here, we use pair distribution function analysis of synchrotron X-ray total scattering data to inspect the local structure of BaTiO 3 nanocrystals from 253 K < T < 413 K. The local structure consists of ca. r = 35 Å domains in which Ti 4+ displacements have the same coherence length as the overall perovskite structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Towards a mechanistic understanding of the sol–gel syntheses of ternary carbides

Sol–gel chemistry, while being extremely established, is to this day not fully understood, and much of the underlying chemistry and mechanisms are yet to be unraveled. Here, in this work, we elaborate on the sol–gel chemistry of Cr 2 GaC, the first layered ternary carbide belonging to the MAX phase family to ever be synthesized using this wet chemical approach. Leveraging a variety of both in- and ex situ characterization techniques, including X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, X-ray absorption fine structure analyses, total scattering analyses, and differential scanning calorimetry coupled with mass spectrometry, in-depth analyses of the local structures and reaction pathways are elucidated. While the metals first form tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated oxidic structures, that subsequently grow and crystallize into oxides, the carbon source citric acid sits on a separate reaction pathway, that does not merge with the metals until the very end. In fact, after decomposing it remains nanostructured and disordered graphite until the temperature allows for the reduction of the metal oxides into the layered carbide. Based on this, we hypothesize that the method is mostly applicable to systems where the needed metals are reducible by graphite around the formation temperature of the target phase.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Fatty acid capped, metal oxo clusters as the smallest conceivable nanocrystal prototypes

Metal oxo clusters of the type M 6 O 4 (OH) 4 (OOCR) 12 (M = Zr or Hf) are valuable building blocks for materials science. Here, we synthesize a series of zirconium and hafnium oxo clusters with ligands that are typically used to stabilize oxide nanocrystals (fatty acids with long and/or branched chains). The fatty acid capped oxo clusters have a high solubility but do not crystallize, precluding traditional purification and single-crystal XRD analysis. We thus develop alternative purification strategies and we use X-ray total scattering and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis as our main method to elucidate the structure of the cluster core. We identify the correct structure from a series of possible clusters (Zr3, Zr4, Zr6, Zr12, Zr10, and Zr26). Excellent refinements are only obtained when the ligands are part of the structure model. Further evidence for the cluster composition is provided by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), and mass spectrometry (MS). We find that hydrogen bonded carboxylic acid is an intrinsic part of the oxo cluster. Using our analytical tools, we elucidate the conversion from a Zr6 monomer to a Zr12 dimer (and vice versa), induced by carboxylate ligand exchange. Finally, we compare the catalytic performance of Zr12-oleate clusters with oleate capped, 5.5 nm zirconium oxide nanocrystals in the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol. The oxo clusters present a five times higher reaction rate, due to their higher surface area. Since the oxo clusters are the lower limit of downscaling oxide nanocrystals, we present them as appealing catalytic materials, and as atomically precise model systems. In addition, the lessons learned regarding PDF analysis are applicable to other areas of cluster science as well, from semiconductor and metal clusters, to polyoxometalates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Local structure and ion storage properties of vanadate cathode materials regulated by the pre-alkalization

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries using mild acidic electrolytes utilizing a Zn 2+ /H + dual-ion storage mechanism have shown great potential in achieving high energy density comparable to non-aqueous lithium-ion batteries. Here, this study reveals that hydrated alkali-ions regulate the formation of alkali-intercalated vanadate layered compounds. Among various vanadate materials, lithium-intercalated vanadate has the largest interlayer spacing and most disordered local structure, exhibiting the largest storage capacity of 308 mA h g –1 at 0.05 A g –1 for Zn 2+ /H + dual-ion storage and improved charge transfer and transport kinetics and cycling performance, evidenced by in situ X-ray diffraction and ex situ X-ray total scattering and pair distribution function analysis. Our study provides new insight into designing layered vanadate materials for high-capacity aqueous batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗