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At least 397 records · Page 22

Shear deformation of pure-Cu and Cu/Nb nano-laminates using micromechanical testing

Solid phase processing by introducing shear deformation into materials can result in unique microstructure evolution and enhanced mechanical properties, especially for immiscible systems such as Cu/Nb. To better understand the correlation between microstructure and deformation behavior during shear, a dedicated testing design of stress localization at predicted sites is necessary. In this study, a specialized S-shaped specimen geometry is implemented to apply localized simple-shear loading in pure-Cu and Cu/Nb accumulative roll-bonded nanolaminates. The nanoscale microstructure and proximity of interfaces in Cu/Nb offer a ~2.8-fold increase in shear stresses than pure-Cu. In pure-Cu, the plastic instability causes shear banding and an in-plane lattice rotation. In Cu/Nb, a partial bending of the interfaces occurred, resulting in a localized lattice rotation. The adapted geometry for micro-scale specimens thus successfully captures the shear deformation at predicted sites in two distinct material systems and could potentially be a powerful technique to study the deformation mechanisms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structure and composition of natural ferrihydrite nano-colloids in anoxic groundwater

Fe-rich mobile colloids play vital yet poorly understood roles in the biogeochemical cycling of Fe in groundwater by influencing organic matter (OM) preservation and fluxes of Fe, OM, and other essential (micro-)nutrients. Yet, few studies have provided molecular detail on the structures and compositions of Fe-rich mobile colloids and factors controlling their persistence in natural groundwater. Here, we provide comprehensive new information on the sizes, molecular structures, and compositions of Fe-rich mobile colloids that accounted for up to 72% of aqueous Fe in anoxic groundwater from a redox-active floodplain. The mobile colloids are multi-phase assemblages consisting of Si-coated ferrihydrite nanoparticles and Fe(II)-OM complexes. Ferrihydrite nanoparticles persisted under both oxic and anoxic/sulfidic conditions, which we attribute to passivation by Si and OM. These findings suggest that mobile Fe-rich colloids generated in floodplains can persist during transport through redox-variable soils and could be discharged to surface waters. These results shed new light on their potential to transport Fe, OM, and nutrients across terrestrial-aquatic interfaces.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

High-strength, lightweight nano-architected silica

Continuous nanolattices are an emerging class of mechanical metamaterials that are highly attractive due to their superior strength-to-weight ratios, which originate from their spatial architectures and nanoscale-sized elements possessing near-theoretical strength. Rational design of frameworks remains challenging below 50 nm because of limited methods to arrange small elements into complex architectures. Here, we fabricate silica frameworks with ~4- to 20-nm-thick elements using self-assembly and silica templating of DNA origami nanolattices and perform in situ micro-compression testing to examine the mechanical properties. We observe strong effects of lattice dimensions on yield strength (σ $\mathcal{y}$ ) and failure mode. Silica nanolattices are found to exhibit yield strengths higher than those of any known engineering materials with similar mass density. The robust coordination of the nanothin and strong silica elements leads to the combination of lightweight and high-strength framework materials offering an effective strategy for the fabrication of nanoarchitected materials with superior mechanical properties.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Carbonation of Alkaline Earth Metal Hydroxides: Structure across Nano- to Mesoscales

The conversion of gaseous CO 2 into a solid constitution through mineralization is an active area of carbon capture, and alkaline earth metal hydroxides (M(OH) 2 , M = Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ ) are frontrunners in this area. As model systems, nanolime samples are excellent templates for the study of this reaction. Here, we have examined these under ambient pressure conditions with controlled humidity and CO 2 . Utilizing a broad range of analytical methods, we first established the purity and structures of the selected materials. We then examined the structural changes due to carbonation, using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray scattering, and neutron scattering. The resulting structural changes are resolved from nanoscale to mesoscale and from early-stage to late-stage carbonation. Ca(OH) 2 and Mg(OH) 2 are found to behave quite differently. As expected from prior work, the carbonation of Ca(OH) 2 is kinetically favored. Further, our structure studies suggest this is due to a facile reaction at the fractal interface of the particles. From early- to late-stage carbonation, there is a consistent increase in the fractal roughness. This is in contrast to Mg(OH) 2 where the same surface evolves into a smooth conformal coating. For this material the major reacting component is at the mesoscale, suggesting globular particle growth or evolving macro-porosity. Because neutron scattering is sensitive to hydrogen content, we expected a significant change as M(OH) 2 evolves to MCO 3 . Such a change is found for Ca(OH) 2 but not for Mg(OH) 2 , providing evidence for the formation of hydrated carbonates for the later material. The formation of a conformal layer along with water-rich carbonate formation is an impediment to the use of Mg(OH) 2 for carbon capture. For energy-efficient carbon capture, it would be desirable to enhance carbonation rates for Mg(OH) 2 , and one possible route would be the use of anhydrous fluids.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Conversion of Formic Acid on Single- and Nano-Crystalline Anatase TiO 2 (101)

Understanding thermochemical transformations of formic acid (FA) on metal oxide surfaces is important for many catalytical reactions. Here we study thermally induced reactions of FA on a single-crystalline and nanocrystalline anatase TiO 2 (101). We employ a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and density functional theory (DFT) to follow the FA surface intermediates and reaction products above room temperature. We find that the primary reaction products desorbing at about 300, 480, and 515 K are molecular water, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde, respectively. Bidentate (BD) formate and bridging hydroxyl (HO b ) are identified as central intermediates in the FA transformations. Bridging oxygen vacancies (V O ) are also likely participants despite their low stability at the surface. In conclusion, the parallel studies on single crystals and faceted TiO 2 (101) nanoparticles reveal the spectroscopic commonalities of surface species and of the thermal conversion of molecular and deprotonated forms of FA.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Using Atom Dynamics to Map the Defect Structure Around an Impurity in Nano-Hematite

The geochemical cycling of actinides such as U is strongly controlled by Fe (oxyhydr)oxides. Indeed, the strong affinity of these minerals for U has factored into the design of geologic repositories for the long-term storage of nuclear waste. Many decades of work have focused on detailing the local coordination environment U associated with hematite (a-Fe2O3), a common and stable Fe(III) oxide, in order to better predict the fate and transport of U in the sub-surface. Here, for the first time, molecular dynamic simulations and atomically resolved electron microscopy of uranium atom mobility under the beam were used to map the topology of defect clusters surrounding structurally incorporated U in hematite. The ability to observe vacancies by means of metal atom hopping can be used to directly probe defects in other materials, with promising applications in geochemistry and materials science.

Ilton, Eugene S.↗

Electron Beam Infrared Nano-Ellipsometry of Individual Indium Tin Oxide Nanocrystals

Leveraging recent advances in electron energy monochromation and aberration correction, we record the spatially resolved infrared plasmon spectrum of individual tin-doped indium oxide nanocrystals using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Both surface and bulk plasmon responses are measured as a function of tin doping concentration from 1–10 atomic percent. Furthermore, these results are compared to theoretical models, which elucidate the spectral detuning of the same surface plasmon resonance feature when measured from aloof and penetrating probe geometries. We additionally demonstrate a unique approach to retrieving the fundamental dielectric parameters of individual semiconductor nanocrystals via EELS. This method, devoid from ensemble averaging, illustrates the potential for electron-beam ellipsometry measurements on materials that cannot be prepared in bulk form or as thin films.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗