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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 523 records · Page 29
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Single‐Site, Single‐Metal‐Atom, Heterogeneous Electrocatalyst: Metal–Organic‐Framework Supported Molybdenum Sulfide for Redox Mediator‐Assisted Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Abstract Synthesis of single‐site catalysts, whereby the local structure and surrounding chemical environments are identical, has been challenging, particularly in heterogeneous catalysis, as the support often presents spectrum of chemically distinct binding sites. Yet, the above criteria are crucial in attributing the apparent catalytic performance to the structural motif. The presented work augments on our previous work using monometallic molybdenum sulfide tethered within a zirconium‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF), NU‐1000; the monometallic nature enables all presented sites to be catalytically addressable. As the molybdenum sulfide species resided within two distinct pores (micro‐ and mesopores) of the MOF support, we have imparted uniformity in the local chemical environment by reducing the pore heterogeneity down to a single mesopore. Single‐site and single‐atom nature of the candidate catalyst was established via X‐ray diffraction measurements. Redox mediators were implemented, which, under reductive potentials, provide reduced species; they can effectively deliver the necessary reducing equivalences to the catalytic units that can otherwise not be addressed electrochemically due to the low electron mobility within the framework. Our results indicate the micropore‐allocated molybdenum sulfide is approximately four times more active as that in mesopores, whereas its catalytic mechanism is identical, underscoring the importance of controlling chemical environment beyond the active site.

Noh, Hyunho↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantum Sensing of Insulator‐to‐Metal Transitions in a Mott Insulator

Nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers, optically active atomic defects in diamond, have attracted tremendous interest for quantum sensing, network, and computing applications due to their excellent quantum coherence and remarkable versatility in a real, ambient environment. Taking advantage of these strengths, this paper reports on NV-based local sensing of the electrically driven insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) in a proximal Mott insulator. The resistive switching properties of both pristine and ion-irradiated VO 2 thin film devices are studied by performing optically detected NV electron spin resonance measurements. These measurements probe the local temperature and magnetic field in electrically biased VO 2 devices, which are in agreement with the global transport measurement results. In pristine devices, the electrically driven IMT proceeds through Joule heating up to the transition temperature while in ion-irradiated devices, the transition occurs nonthermally, well below the transition temperature. Here, the results provide direct evidence for nonthermal electrically induced IMT in a Mott insulator, highlighting the significant opportunities offered by NV quantum sensors in exploring nanoscale thermal and electrical behaviors in Mott materials.

McLaughlin, Nathan J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Citric acid-assisted accumulation of Ni and other metals by Odontarrhena muralis: Implications for phytoextraction and metal foliar distribution assessed by μ-SXRF

Odontarrhena muralis is one of the most promissing plant species for Ni phytomining, and soil amendments can further increase its Ni phytoextraction ability. Here we investigated whether Ni phytomining/phytoremediation using this Ni hyperaccumulator can benefit from applying citric acid to a serpentine soil that is naturally enriched in Ni (>1000 mg kg -1 ). Synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-SXRF) was used to image Ni and other metal distributions in whole fresh leaves of O. muralis. Leaf Ni accumulation in plants grown on citric acid-amended soil increased up to 55% while Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations were 4-, 14-, 6-, 7- and 1.3-fold higher than the control treatment. O. muralis presented high bioconcentration factors (leaf to soil concentration ratio) to Ni and Zn whereas Cr was seemingly excluded from uptake. The μ-SXRF images showed a uniform distribution of Ni, preferential localization of Co in the leaf tip, and clear concentration of Mn in the base of trichomes. The citric acid treatments strongly increased the Co fluoerescence intensity in the leaf tip and altered the spatial distribution of Mn across the leaf, but there was no difference in Ni fluorescence counts between the trichome-base region and the bulk leaf. Our data from a serpentine soil suggests that citrate treatment enhances Ni uptake, but Co is excreted from leaves even in low leaf concentrations, which can make Co phytoming using O. muralis unfeasible in natural serpentine soils.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Intrinsic Li Distribution in Layered Transition-Metal Oxides Using Low-Dose Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Understanding Li distribution in layered lithium transition-metal oxide (LiTMO) cathodes in Li-ion batteries has been a major challenge at the atomic scale and nanoscale. Li is extremely difficult to study by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) because the high-energy electrons impart significant energy and cause massive migration. Here, we directly map the intrinsic spatial distribution and bonding of Li in LiNiO 2 -layered cathode materials using low-dose and low-loss electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). EELS spectra of the Li–K edge are measured simultaneously with O–K and Ni–L, M 3,2 edges from layered, cation-mixed, and rock-salt phases and directly matched with atomic-resolution scanning TEM images to correlate the changes in peak intensities and positions to the stoichiometry changes with continual loss of Li and O. Changes in the Li content in the LiNiO 2 particles as a function of electron beam dose are studied by sequential Li spectroscopic mapping. We show that the “intrinsic” Li distribution can be observed using a total dose of less than ~1.5 × 10 8 e – nm –2 at an accelerating voltage of 80 kV. The method of nanoscale mapping of Li distribution introduced in this study is applicable to high-Ni LiTMO cathode materials (>89% of Ni) as well as LiNiO 2 . Further study on the extra peaks of the Li–K edge reveals that the peak at ~59 eV is from the Li ions intercalated in between NiO 2 layers barely interacting with each other with less Li K shell electrons pulled to the L shell electrons in NiO 2 . Furthermore, the results shown here provide improved low-loss TEM characterization approaches that can be used to understand the intrinsic fundamental behaviors in Li-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Centrosymmetric or Noncentrosymmetric? Transition Metals Talking in K 2 TGe 3 S 8 (T = Co, Fe)

Two new quaternary sulfides K 2 TGe 3 S 8 (T=Co, Fe) have been synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state routine and flux growth method. The crystal growth process of K 2 TGe 3 S 8 (T=Co, Fe) was elucidated by in-situ powder X-ray diffraction and DSC thermal analysis. The mm-sized crystals of K 2 TGe 3 S 8 (T=Co, Fe) were grown. K 2 CoGe 3 S 8 crystallizes in a new structure type in centrosymmetric space group P1¯ (No. 2) with unit cell parameters of a = 7.016(1) Å, b = 7.770(1)Å, c = 14.342(1) Å, α = 93.80(1)°, β = 92.65(1)°, γ = 114.04(1)°. K 2 FeGe 3 S 8 crystallizes in K 2 FeGe 3 Se 8 structure type and the noncentrosymmetric space group P2 1 (No. 4) with unit cell parameters of a = 7.1089(5)Å, b = 11.8823(8)Å, c = 16.7588(11)Å, β = 96.604(2)°. There is a high structural similarity between K 2 CoGe 3 S 8 and K 2 FeGe 3 S 8 . The larger volume coupled with higher degrees of distortion of [FeS 4 ] tetrahedra compared to [CoS 4 ] tetrahedra accounts for the structure’s shift from centrosymmetric to noncentrosymmetric. The theory simulation confirms that [TS 4 ]T= Co or Fe tetrahedra play a crucial role in controlling the structure and properties of K 2 TGe 3 S 8 (T = Co, Fe). The measured optical bandgaps of K 2 CoGe 3 S 8 and K 2 FeGe 3 S 8 are 2.1(1) eV and 2.6(1) eV respectively. K 2 FeGe 3 S 8 shows antiferromagnetic ordering at 24K while no magnetic ordering was detected in K 2 CoGe 3 S 8 . In conclusion, the magnetic measurements also demonstrate the divalent nature of transition metals in K 2 TGe 3 S 8 (T = Co, Fe).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Theoretical Evaluation of Metal–Ligand Bonding in Neptunium Compounds in Relation to 237 Np Mössbauer Spectroscopy

The 237 Np Mössbauer isomer shift and quadrupole splitting (QS) are powerful probes for the metal–ligand bonding of neptunium, a 5f-element of vital importance in the nuclear fuel cycle. A large set of Np compounds with different oxidation states (III) to (VII) is studied to investigate, by first-principles calculations, isomer shifts and the QS trends in relation to the Np oxidation state. Natural Bond Orbital analysis reveals that in addition to donation bonding to the 5f shell, participation of the 6d and 7s neptunium shells in covalent (donation) bonding substantially impacts the isomer shifts. The isomer shift cannot be interpreted solely by the 5f shell electron count. The isomer shift for Np(II) compounds is estimated to be in the range of 31–34 mm/s, less positive than for Np(III) compounds. For the QS, density functional calculations fail to reproduce the quadrupole splitting for some Np(VI) ionic solids. A multiconfigurational wave function approach reproduces the observed QS trends. The calculations give a semiquantitative interpretation of the trends for Np oxidation states (V) to (VII). Furthermore, the contrasting QS for standard and “reverse” neptunyl(VI), at the opposite extremes of the observed QS scale, arises predominantly from the different crystal environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Spectroscopic and Computational Evaluation of Uranyl Oxo Engagement with Transition Metal Cations

Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of five novel Cd 2+ /UO 2 2+ heterometallic complexes that feature Cd-oxo distances ranging from 78 to 171% of the sum of the van der Waals radii for these atoms. This work marks an extension of our previously reported Pb 2+ /UO 2 2+ and Ag + /UO 2 2+ complexes, yet with much more pronounced structural and spectroscopic effects resulting from Cd-oxo interactions. We observe a major shift in the U═O symmetric stretch and significant uranyl bond length asymmetry. The ρbcp values calculated using Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) support the asymmetry displayed in the structural data and indicate a decrease in covalent character in U═O bonds with close Cd-oxo contacts, more so than in related compounds containing Pb 2+ and Ag + . Second-order perturbation theory (SOPT) analysis reveals that O sp x → Cd s is the most significant orbital overlap and U═O bonding and antibonding orbitals also contribute to the interaction (U═O σ/π → Cd d and Cd s → U═O σ/π*). The overall stabilization energies for these interactions were lower than those in previously reported Pb 2+ cations, yet larger than related Ag + compounds. Analysis of the equatorial coordination sphere of the Cd 2+ /UO 2 2+ compounds (along with Pb 2+ /UO 2 2+ complexes) reveals that 7-coordinate uranium favors closer, stronger M n+ -oxo contacts. These results indicate that U═O bond strength tuning is possible with judicious choice of metal cations for oxo interactions and equatorial ligand coordination.

cations↗
DOE OSTI2023

Single-Step Selective Oxidation of Methane by Iron-Oxo Species in the Metal–Organic Framework MFU-4l

The direct and selective conversion of methane to methanol can be considered a holy grail for catalysis research. In this work, we study a metal-organic framework known as MFU-4l, modified by design to include highly reactive iron-oxo species for the catalytic C-H bond activation of methane. We investigate the oxidation of methane and the further potential oxidation of the product methanol using N 2 O as an oxygen source and map the potential energy landscape of these reactions using density functional theory calculations. We show that the highest energy barrier encountered during the methane oxidation process is not the C-H bond breaking, but the activation of the iron center by N 2 O. Furthermore, the potential energy landscape for the C-H bond activation exhibits a large, high-energy plateau region instead of a sharp transition state, thus differing from the traditional radical rebound mechanism. Furthermore, this insight offers interesting potential routes to enhance the catalytic activity of the catalyst, to hinder unwanted deactivation pathways, and to reduce the activity towards the over-oxidation of the product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Theoretical Perspective of Promoting Direct Methane-to-Methanol Conversion at Complex Metal Oxide–Metal Interfaces

Direct methane conversion to methanol has been considered as an effective and economic way to release greenhouse effects and current high demand on methanol in industry. However, the process has long been challenging due to lack of viable catalysts to compromise the activation of methane that typically occurs high temperatures and retaining of produced methanol that requires mild conditions. Here, this perspective demonstrates an effective strategy to promote direct methane to methanol conversion by engineering the active sites and chemical environments at complex metal oxide - copper oxide - copper interfaces. Such effort strongly depends on the extensive theoretical studies by combining density functional theory (DFT) calculations and kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations to provide in-depth understanding of reaction mechanism and active sites, which built the strong basis to enable the identification of design principles and advance the catalyst optimization for selective CH 4 -to-CH 3 OH conversion.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Overcoming Metastable CO 2 Adsorption in a Bulky Diamine-Appended Metal-Organic Framework

We report carbon capture at fossil fuel-fired power plants is a critical strategy to mitigate anthropogenic contributions to global warming, but widespread deployment of this technology is hindered by a lack of energy-efficient materials that can be optimized for CO 2 capture from a specific flue gas. As a result of their tunable, step-shaped CO 2 adsorption profiles, diamine-functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of the form diamine-Mg 2 (dobpdc) (dobpdc 4- = 4,4'-dioxidobiphenyl-3,3'-dicarboxylate) are among the most promising materials for carbon capture applications. Here, we present a detailed investigation of dmen-Mg 2 (dobpdc) (dmen = 1,2-diamino-2-methylpropane), one of only two MOFs with an adsorption step near the optimal pressure for CO 2 capture from coal flue gas. While prior characterization suggested that this material only adsorbs CO 2 to half capacity (0.5 CO 2 per diamine) at 1 bar, we show that the half-capacity state is actually a metastable intermediate. Under appropriate conditions, the MOF adsorbs CO 2 to full capacity, but conversion from the half-capacity structure happens on a very slow time scale, rendering it inaccessible in traditional adsorption measurements. Data from solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, coupled with van der Waals-corrected density functional theory, indicate that ammonium carbamate chains formed at half capacity and full capacity adopt opposing configurations, and the need to convert between these states likely dictates the sluggish post-half-capacity uptake. By use of the more symmetric parent framework Mg 2 (pc-dobpdc) (pc-dobpdc 4- = 3,3'-dioxidobiphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylate), the metastable trap can be avoided and the full CO 2 capacity of dmen-Mg 2 (pc-dobpdc) accessed under conditions relevant for carbon capture from coal-fired power plants.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗