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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 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

A Metal‐Organic Framework with Nonpolar Pore Surfaces for the One‐Step Acquisition of C 2 H 4 from a C 2 H 4 and C 2 H 6 Mixture

Abstract Because C 2 H 4 plays an essential role in the chemical industry, economical and energy‐efficient separation of ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) from ethane (C 2 H 6 ) is extremely important. With the exception of energy‐intensive cryogenic distillation, there are few one‐step methods to obtain polymer‐grade (≥99.95 % pure) C 2 H 4 from C 2 H 4 /C 2 H 6 mixtures. Here we report a highly stable metal‐organic‐framework (MOF) FJI‐H11‐Me(des) (FJI‐H=Hong's group in Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter) which features one‐dimensional hexagonal nonpolar pore surfaces constructed by aromatic rings and alkyl groups. This FJI‐H11‐Me(des) adsorbs C 2 H 6 rather than C 2 H 4 between 273 and 303 K. Practical breakthrough experiments with C 2 H 4 containing 1 % C 2 H 6 have shown that FJI‐H11‐Me(des) can realize the acquisition in one‐step of polymer‐grade, 99.95 % pure C 2 H 4 under various conditions including different gas flow rates, temperatures and relative humidity.

Di, Zhengyi↗
DOE OSTI2023

Metal‐Organic Frameworks for C6 Alkane Separation

Abstract The separation of alkane isomers is an important yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry. Being a crucial step to produce premium gasoline components as well as optimum ethylene feed, the current industrial separation by distillation is extremely energy intensive. Adsorptive separation based on zeolite is limited by insufficient adsorption capacity. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) hold enormous promise as alternative adsorbents due to their diverse structural tunability and exceptional porosity. Precise control of their pore geometry/dimensions has led to superior performance. In this minireview, we highlight the recent progresses in developing MOFs for the separation of C6 alkane isomers. Representative MOFs are reviewed based on their separation mechanisms. Emphasis is put on the material design rationale for achieving optimal separation capability. Finally, we briefly discuss the existing challenges, possible solutions, and future directions of this important field.

Xie, Feng↗
DOE OSTI2023

Spiroligomer‐Based Macrocycles for Atomically Precise Membranes

Abstract Here, we report a new class of peptidomimetic macrocycles with well‐defined three‐dimensional structures and low conformational flexibility. They are assembled from fused‐ring spiro‐ladder oligomers (spiroligomers) by modular solid‐phase synthesis. Two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance confirms their shape persistency. Triangular macrocycles of tunable sizes assemble into membranes with atomically precise pores, which exhibit size and shape‐dependent molecular sieving towards a series of structurally similar compounds. The exceptional structural diversity and stability of spiroligomer‐based macrocycles will be explored for more applications.

Xie, Yihui↗
DOE OSTI2023

Zr‐Porphyrin Metal–Organic Framework as nanoreactor for boosting the formation of hydrogen clathrates

Abstract We report the first experimental evidence for rapid formation of hydrogen clathrates under mild pressure and temperature conditions within the cavities of a zirconium‐metalloporphyrin framework, specifically PCN‐222. PCN‐222 has been selected for its 1D mesoporous channels, high water‐stability, and proper hydrophilic behavior. Firstly, we optimize a microwave (MW)‐assisted method for the synthesis of nanosized PCN‐222 particles with precise structure control (exceptional homogeneity in morphology and crystalline phase purity), taking advantage of MW in terms of rapid/homogeneous heating, time and energy savings, as well as potential scalability of the synthetic method. Second, we explore the relevance of the large mesoporous 1D open channels within the PCN‐222 to promote the nucleation and growth of confined hydrogen clathrates. Experimental results show that PCN‐222 drives the nucleation process at a lower pressure than the bulk system (1.35 kbar vs 2 kbar), with fast kinetics (minutes), using pure water, and with a nearly complete water‐to‐hydrate conversion. Unfortunately, PCN‐222 cannot withstand these high pressures, which lead to a significant alteration of the mesoporous structure while the microporous network remains mainly unchanged.

Carrillo‐Carrión, Carolina↗
DOE OSTI2024

Chloride and Hydride Transfer as Keys to Catalytic Upcycling of Polyethylene into Liquid Alkanes

Abstract Transforming polyolefin waste into liquid alkanes through tandem cracking‐alkylation reactions catalyzed by Lewis‐acid chlorides offers an efficient route for single‐step plastic upcycling. Lewis acids in dichloromethane establish a polar environment that stabilizes carbenium ion intermediates and catalyzes hydride transfer, enabling breaking of polyethylene C−C bonds and forming C−C bonds in alkylation. Here, we show that efficient and selective deconstruction of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) to liquid alkanes is achieved with anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ) and gallium chloride (GaCl 3 ). Already at 60 °C, complete LDPE conversion was achieved, while maintaining the selectivity for gasoline‐range liquid alkanes over 70 %. AlCl 3 showed an exceptional conversion rate of 5000 , surpassing other Lewis acid catalysts by two orders of magnitude. Through kinetic and mechanistic studies, we show that the rates of LDPE conversion do not correlate directly with the intrinsic strength of the Lewis acids or steric constraints that may limit the polymer to access the Lewis acid sites. Instead, the rates for the tandem processes of cracking and alkylation are primarily governed by the rates of initiation of carbenium ions and the subsequent intermolecular hydride transfer. Both jointly control the relative rates of cracking and alkylation, thereby determining the overall conversion and selectivity.

Zhang, Wei↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multi‐Stage Optimization of Pore Size and Shape in Pore‐Space‐Partitioned Metal–Organic Frameworks for Highly Selective and Sensitive Benzene Capture

Abstract Compared to exploratory development of new structure types, pushing the limits of isoreticular synthesis on a high‐performance MOF platform may have higher probability of achieving targeted properties. Multi‐modular MOF platforms could offer even more opportunities by expanding the scope of isoreticular chemistry. However, navigating isoreticular chemistry towards best properties on a multi‐modular platform is challenging due to multiple interconnected pathways. Here on the multi‐modular pacs (partitioned acs) platform, we demonstrate accessibility to a new regime of pore geometry using two independently adjustable modules (framework‐forming module 1 and pore‐partitioning module 2). A series of new pacs materials have been made. Benzene/cyclohexane selectivity is tuned, progressively, from 4.5 to 15.6 to 195.4 and to 482.5 by pushing the boundary of the pacs platform towards the smallest modules known so far. The exceptional stability of these materials in retaining both porosity and single crystallinity enables single‐crystal diffraction studies of different crystal forms (as‐synthesized, activated, guest‐loaded) that help reveal the mechanistic aspects of adsorption in pacs materials.

Chen, Yichong↗
DOE OSTI2020

Solvation Rule for Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Enabler in Lithium-Metal Batteries

Despite the exceptionally high energy density of lithium metal anodes, the practical application of lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) is still impeded by the instability of the interphase between the lithium metal and the electrolyte. To formulate a functional electrolyte system that can stabilize the lithium-metal anode, the solvation behavior of the solvent molecules must be understood because the electrochemical properties of a solvent can be heavily influenced by its solvation status. Here, we unambiguously demonstrated the solvation rule for the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) enabler in an electrolyte system. In this study, fluoroethylene carbonate was used as the SEI enabler due to its ability to form a robust SEI on the lithium metal surface, allowing relatively stable LMB cycling. The results revealed that the solvation number of fluoroethylene carbonate must be ≥ 1 to ensure the formation of a stable SEI in which the sacrificial reduction of the SEI enabler subsequently leads to the stable cycling of LMBs.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Gold–Catalyzed C–H Functionalization Polycondensation for the Synthesis of Aromatic Polymers

Homogeneous gold (Au) complexes have demonstrated tremendous utility in modern organic chemistry; however, their application for the synthesis of polymers remains rare. Herein, we demonstrate the first catalytic application of Au complexes toward the polycondensation of alkyne-containing comonomers and heteroarene nucleophiles. Polymerization occurs through successive intermolecular hydroarylation reactions to produce high molecular weight aromatic copolymers with 1,1-disubstituted alkene backbone linkages. Clear correlations between the rate and degree of polymerization (DP) were established based on catalyst structure and counterion pairing, thus enabling polymerization reactions that proceeded with remarkable efficiency, high reactivity, and exceptional DPs. The reactivity is broad in scope, enabling the copolymerization of highly functionalized aromatic and aliphatic monomers. Furthermore, these results highlight the untapped utility of Au catalysis in providing access to new macromolecular constructs.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Low‐Cost Industrial Organic Pigment Coating

Abstract Surface passivation of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using a low‐cost industrial organic pigment quinacridone (QA) is presented. The procedure involves solution processing a soluble derivative of QA, N , N ‐bis(tert‐butyloxycarbonyl)‐quinacridone (TBOC‐QA), followed by thermal annealing to convert TBOC‐QA into insoluble QA. With halide perovskite thin films coated by QA, PSCs based on methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) showed significantly improved performance with remarkable stability. A PCE of 21.1 % was achieved, which is much higher than 18.9 % recorded for the unmodified devices. The QA coating with exceptional insolubility and hydrophobicity also led to greatly enhanced contact angle from 35.6° for the pristine MAPbI 3 thin films to 77.2° for QA coated MAPbI 3 thin films. The stability of QA passivated MAPbI 3 perovskite thin films and PSCs were significantly enhanced, retaining about 90 % of the initial efficiencies after more than 1000 hours storage under ambient conditions.

He, Qingquan↗
DOE OSTI2020

Engineering Atomically Dispersed FeN 4 Active Sites for CO 2 Electroreduction

Atomically dispersed FeN 4 active sites have exhibited exceptional catalytic activity and selectivity for the electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to CO. However, the understanding behind the intrinsic and morphological factors contributing to the catalytic properties of FeN 4 sites is still lacking. By using a Fe-N-C model catalyst derived from the ZIF-8, we deconvoluted three key morphological and structural elements of FeN 4 sites, including particle sizes of catalysts, Fe content, and Fe-N bond structures. Furthermore, their respective impacts on the CO2RR were comprehensively elucidated. Engineering the particle size and Fe doping is critical to control extrinsic morphological factors of FeN 4 sites for optimal porosity, electrochemically active surface areas, and the graphitization of the carbon support. In contrast, the intrinsic activity of FeN 4 sites was only tunable by varying thermal activation temperatures during the formation of FeN 4 sites, which impacted the length of the Fe-N bonds and the local strains. The structural evolution of Fe-N bonds was examined at the atomic level. First-principles calculations further elucidated the origin of intrinsic activity improvement associated with the optimal local strain of the Fe-N bond.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Stable Thermotropic 3D and 2D Double Gyroid Nanostructures with Sub‐2‐nm Feature Size from Scalable Sugar–Polyolefin Conjugates

Abstract Ultra‐low molecular weight disaccharide–polyolefin conjugates with cellobiose, lactose and maltose head groups and atactic polypropene tails, such as 1 , undergo a series of irreversible thermotropic order–order transitions with increasing temperature to provide nanostructured phases in the sequence: lamellar ( L ), hexagonal perforated lamellar ( HPL ), double gyroid ( DG ) and hexagonal cylindrical ( C ). The DG phase displays exceptional stability at ambient temperature and features two interpenetrating sugar domain networks having a sub‐2‐nm strut width and a lattice parameter, a DG , of 13.1 nm. The unique stability of this DG phase extends further within ultrathin films all the way down to the two‐dimensional limit of 15 nm in which film thickness, l , is now less than the surface‐oriented unit cell height, h DG . In addition to raising the fundamental question of what minimally constitutes a Schoen triply periodic minimal surface and DG lattice, these results serve to establish the class of sugar–polyolefin conjugates as a new material platform for nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Nowak, Samantha R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Solvated Nickel Complexes as Stoichiometric and Catalytic Perfluoroalkylation Agents**

The acetonitrile-solvated [(MeCN)Ni(C 2 F 5 ) 3 ] - was prepared in order to compare and contrast its reactivity with the known [(MeCN)Ni(CF 3 ) 3 ] - towards organic electrophiles. Both [(MeCN)Ni(CF 3 ) 3 ] - and [(MeCN)Ni(C 2 F 5 ) 3 ] - successfully react with aryl iodonium and diazonium salts as well as alkynyl iodonium salts to give fluoroalkylated organic products. Electrochemical analysis of [(MeCN)Ni II (C 2 F 5 ) 3 ] - suggests that, upon electro-oxidation to [(MeCN) n Ni III (C 2 F 5 ) 3 ], reductive homolysis of a perfluoroethyl radical occurs, with the concomitant formation of [(MeCN) 2 Ni II (C 2 F 5 ) 2 ]. Catalytic C-H trifluoromethylations of electron-rich arenes were successfully achieved using either [(MeCN)Ni(CF 3 ) 3 ] - or the related [Ni(CF 3 ) 4 ] 2- . Stoichiometric reactions of the solvated nickel complexes reveal that “ligandless” nickel is exceptionally capable of serving as reservoir of CF 3 groups under catalytically relevant conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Molecular Brush Surfactants: Versatile Emulsifiers for Stabilizing and Structuring Liquids

Using amphiphilic molecular brushes to stabilize emulsions usually requires the synthesis of specific side chains, which can be a time-consuming and difficult challenge to meet. By taking advantage of the electrostatic interactions between water-soluble molecular brushes and oil-soluble oligomeric ligands, here the in situ formation, assembly and jamming of molecular brush surfactants (MBSs) at the oil-water interface is described. With MBSs, stable emulsions including o/w, w/o and o/w/o can be easily prepared by varying the molar ratios of the molecular brushes to the ligands. Moreover, when jammed, the binding energy of MBSs at the interface is sufficiently strong to allow the stabilization of liquids in nonequilibrium shapes, i.e., structuring liquids, producing an elastic film at the interface with exceptional mechanical properties. These structured liquids have numerous potential applications, including chemical biphasic reactions, liquid electronics, and all-liquid biomimetic system.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Tailoring the Local Environment of Platinum in Single-Atom Pt 1 /CeO 2 Catalysts for Robust Low-Temperature CO Oxidation

A single-atom Pt 1 /CeO 2 catalyst formed by atom trapping (AT, 800 degrees C in air) shows excellent thermal stability but is inactive for CO oxidation at low temperatures owing to over-stabilization of Pt 2+ in a highly symmetric square-planar Pt 1 O 4 coordination environment. Reductive activation to form Pt nanoparticles (NPs) results in enhanced activity; however, the NPs are easily oxidized, leading to drastic activity loss. In this work, we show that tailoring the local environment of isolated Pt 2+ by thermal-shock (TS) synthesis leads to a highly active and thermally stable Pt 1 /CeO 2 catalyst. Ultrafast shockwaves (>1200 degrees C) in an inert atmosphere induced surface reconstruction of CeO 2 to generate Pt single atoms in an asymmetric Pt 1 O 4 configuration. Owing to this unique coordination, Pt 1 δ+ in a partially reduced state dynamically evolves during CO oxidation, resulting in exceptional low-temperature performance. CO oxidation reactivity on the Pt 1 /CeO 2 _TS catalyst was retained under oxidizing conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Responsive Interfacial Assemblies Based on Charge‐Transfer Interactions

Abstract Charge transfer (CT) interactions have been widely used to construct supramolecular systems, such as functional nanostructures and gels. However, to date, there is no report on the generation of CT complexes at the liquid–liquid interface. Here, by using an electron‐deficient acceptor dissolved in water and an electron‐rich donor dissolved in oil, we present the in situ formation and assembly of CT complex surfactants (CTCSs) at the oil–water interface. With time, CTCSs can assemble into higher‐order nanofilms with exceptional mechanical properties, allowing the stabilization of liquids and offering the possibility to structure liquids into nonequilibrium shapes. Moreover, due to the redox‐responsiveness of the electron‐deficient acceptor, the association and dissociation of CTCSs can be reversibly manipulated in a redox process, leading to the switchable assembly and disassembly of the resultant constructs.

Sun, Shuyi↗
DOE OSTI2023

Metal–Organic Frameworks for C6 Alkane Separation

The separation of alkane isomers is an important yet challenging process in the petrochemical industry. Being a crucial step to produce premium gasoline components as well as optimum ethylene feed, the current industrial separation by distillation is extremely energy intensive. Adsorptive separation based on zeolite is limited by insufficient adsorption capacity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold enormous promise as alternative adsorbents due to their diverse structural tunability and exceptional porosity. Precise control of their pore geometry/dimensions has led to superior performance. In this minireview, we highlight the recent progresses in developing MOFs for the separation of C6 alkane isomers. Representative MOFs are reviewed based on their separation mechanisms. Emphasis is put on the material design rationale for achieving optimal separation capability. Lastly, we briefly discuss the existing challenges, possible solutions, and future directions of this important field.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗