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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 559 records · Page 31
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry investigation of the O( 3 P) + propyne reaction

Here, the reaction of O( 3 P) + propyne (C 3 H 4 ) was investigated at 298 K and 4 Torr using time-resolved multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry and a synchrotron-generated tunable vacuum ultraviolet light source. The time-resolved mass spectra of the observed products suggest five major channels under our conditions: C 2 H 3 + HCO, CH 3 + HCCO, H + CH 3 CCO, C 2 H 4 + CO, and C 2 H 2 + H 2 + CO. The relative branching ratios for these channels were found to be 1.00, (0.35 ± 0.11), (0.18 ± 0.10), (0.73 ± 0.27), and (1.31 ± 0.62). In addition, we observed signals consistent with minor production of C 3 H 3 + OH and H 2 + CH 2 CCO, although we cannot conclusively assign them as direct product channels from O( 3 P) + propyne. The direct abstraction mechanism plays only a minor role (≤1%), and we estimate that O( 3 P) addition to the central carbon of propyne accounts for 10% of products, with addition to the terminal carbon accounting for the remaining 89%. The isotopologues observed in experiments using d1-propyne (CH 3 CCD) and analysis of product branching in light of previously computed stationary points on the singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces (PESs) relevant to O( 3 P) + propyne suggest that, under our conditions, (84 ± 14)% of the observed product channels from O( 3 P) + propyne result from intersystem crossing from the initial triplet PES to the lower-lying singlet PES.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Microcarbonation of Naphthalene: An Experimental and Computational Study of Photoionization in Naphthalene-Carbon Dioxide Clusters

The photoionization of naphthalene (N)-carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) clusters was studied using tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation from a synchrotron in the photon range of 8.0 to 13.7 eV, in combination with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Clusters of monomer, dimer, and trimer naphthalene with CO 2 (N­(CO 2 ) 0–6 , N 2 ­(CO 2 ) 0–3 , N3) were observed. The lowest-energy conformers were obtained via a conformer search, followed by geometry optimizations at the ωB97X-V2/aug-cc-pVTZ (monomer) and ωB97X-V2/aug-cc-pVDZ (dimer) levels of theory. Carbon dioxide was found to preferentially cluster on top of the naphthalene molecule (in an out-of-plane configuration). From the mass spectra, photoionization intensity curves (PICs) were constructed, and appearance energies (AEs) were determined. No substantial trend in AE was observed with increasing size of the naphthalene-carbon dioxide clusters; rather, AE oscillations around the value for pure naphthalene were observed. These AE oscillations are also observed in a recently studied naphthalene-water cluster system, though in this system a slight downward trend in AE for pure naphthalene clusters (N1/2/3/4) was observed. The differences between the two systems are attributed to differing interaction strengths. In conclusion, understanding these differences may aid in determining how photoprocessing can proceed differently depending on the dominant matrix component in interstellar ices.

Wannenmacher, Anna [Lawrence Berkeley National Lab↗
DOE OSTI2026

X‑ray Coherent Diffractive Imaging of Large Helium Nanodroplets Doped with Small Molecules

We report the first X-ray coherent diffractive imaging experiment on molecule-doped helium nanodroplets. It complements previous work, where we reported single-shot X-ray coherent diffractive imaging studies of Xe dopant clusters formed in 4He and 3He droplets. These noble gas clusters were used to visualize the impact of rotational excitation of the droplets on the spatial distribution of atomic dopants within the droplets, and to study the differences and connections between quantum and classical droplet rotational motion. Here, we expand our studies to the molecular dopants CF4, CHF3, CH3CN, and SF6, imaged with 1.5 keV photons. We find multiple Bragg spots in the diffraction patterns of molecule-doped droplets with radii of approximately 600 nm, which provide evidence that molecules form elongated clusters with preferential alignment along the angular momentum axis of the 4He droplets, in agreement with our previous results on the aggregation of Xe clusters on quantum vortices. Real-space reconstructions of molecular dopant cluster density profiles are obtained for droplets with smaller radii of approximately 300 nm. The diffuse images suggest the formation of low-density, potentially porous, molecular clusters upon aggregation at T = 0.4 K in 4He droplets. In the normal fluid 3He droplets, molecules aggregate into loose clusters on the droplets' equator, similar to previous observations for Xe atoms. Time-of-flight mass spectra reveal that the doped helium nanodroplet moieties fragment extensively into constituent atomic ions, producing only a small fraction of molecular fragment ions. The findings are discussed in the context of previously proposed schemes to use He droplets as potential tamper materials for ultrafast X-ray imaging experiments.

Feinberg, AlexandraJ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Importance of Unimolecular HO 2 Elimination in the Heterogeneous OH Reaction of Highly Oxygenated Tartaric Acid Aerosol

Oxygenated organic molecules are abundant in atmospheric aerosols and are transformed by oxidation reactions near the aerosol surface by gas-phase oxidants such as hydroxyl (OH) radicals. To gain better insights into how the structure of an organic molecule, particularly in the presence of hydroxyl groups, controls the heterogeneous reaction mechanisms of oxygenated organic compounds, this paper investigates the OH-radical initiated oxidation of aqueous tartaric acid (C 4 H 6 O 6 ) droplets using an aerosol flow tube reactor. The molecular composition of the aerosols before and after reaction is characterized by a soft atmospheric pressure ionization source (Direct Analysis in Real Time) coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer. The aerosol mass spectra reveal that four major reaction products are formed: a single C 4 functionalization product (C 4 H 4 O 6 ) and three C 3 fragmentation products (C 3 H 4 O 4 , C 3 H 2 O 4 , and C 3 H 2 O 5 ). The C 4 functionalization product does not appear to originate from peroxy radical self-reactions but instead forms via an α-hydroxylperoxy radical produced by a hydrogen atom abstraction by OH at the tertiary carbon site. The proximity of a hydroxyl group to peroxy group enhances the unimolecular HO 2 elimination from the α-hydroxylperoxy intermediate. This alcohol-to-ketone conversion yields 2-hydroxy-3-oxosuccinic acid (C 4 H 4 O 6 ), the major reaction product. While in general, C–C bond scission reactions are expected to dominate the chemistry of organic compounds with high average carbon oxidation states (OS C ), our results show that molecular structure can play a larger role in the heterogeneous transformation of tartaric acid (OS C = 1.5). Finally, these results are also compared with two structurally related dicarboxylic acids (succinic acid and 2,3-dimethylsuccinic acid) to elucidate how the identity and location of functional groups (methyl and hydroxyl groups) alter heterogeneous reaction mechanisms.

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

Operando XPS for Plasma Process Monitoring: A Case Study on the Hydrogenation of Copper Oxide Confined under h-BN

Here, we demonstrate that ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) can be used for in situ studies of dynamic changes in surface chemistry in a plasma environment. This opens a new and vast application space for XPS and greatly complements modern spectroscopy techniques to probe plasma-solid/liquid interactions relevant to process monitoring in the semiconductor industry, bio-medical plasma applications and plasma remediation technologies. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) grown on Cu was used in this study as a well-defined model system for plasma process monitoring and because of its unique chemical, optical and electrical properties that make it a prospective material for advanced electronics. To better understand the stability and surface chemistry of h-BN during plasma assisted processing, we track in real time the plasma-induced chemical state changes of B, N and the underlying Cu substrate using APXPS equipped with an AC discharge plasma source operating at 13 Pa. Residual gas analysis (RGA) mass-spectra were concurrently collected during plasma-XPS to track reaction products formed during plasma exposure. A clear reduction of Cu x O is seen, while an h-BN layer remains intact, suggesting hydrogen radical (H • ) species can attack the exposed and h-BN covered Cu oxide patches and partially reduce the underlying substrate without significantly damaging the overlaying h-BN, which is of practical importance for development of h-BN encapsulated devices and interfaces. In addition to demonstration of plasma-XPS capabilities we discuss the observed challenges (e.g., parasitic plasma-chamber walls reactions and charging effects) and propose potential solutions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Photofragmentation of Tetranitromethane: Spin-Unrestricted Time-Dependent Excited-State Molecular Dynamics

In this study, the photofragmentation dynamics of tetranitromethane (TNM) is explored by a spin-unrestricted time-dependent excited-state molecular dynamics (u-TDESMD) algorithm based on Rabi oscillations and principles similar to trajectory surface hopping, with a midintensity field approximation. The leading order process is represented by the molecule undergoing cyclic excitations and de-excitations. During excitation cycles, the nuclear kinetic energy is accumulated to overcome the dissociation barriers in the reactant and a sequence of intermediates. The dissociation pathway includes the ejection of NO 2 groups followed by the formation of NO and CO. The simulated mass spectra at the ab initio level, based on the bond length in possible fragments, are extracted from simulation trajectories. Finally, the recently developed methodology has the potential to model and monitor photoreactions with open-shell intermediates and radicals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Progress and Challenges in Ocean Metaproteomics and Proposed Best Practices for Data Sharing

Ocean metaproteomics is an emerging field enabling discoveries about marine microbial communities and their impact on global biogeochemical processes. Recent ocean metaproteomic studies have provided insight into microbial nutrient transport, colimitation of carbon fixation, the metabolism of microbial biofilms, and dynamics of carbon flux in marine ecosystems. Future methodological developments could provide new capabilities such as characterizing long-term ecosystem changes, biogeochemical reaction rates, and in situ stoichiometries. Yet challenges remain for ocean metaproteomics due to the great biological diversity that produces highly complex mass spectra, as well as the difficulty in obtaining and working with environmental samples. This review summarizes the progress and challenges facing ocean metaproteomic scientists and proposes best practices for data sharing of ocean metaproteomic data sets, including the data types and metadata needed to enable intercomparisons of protein distributions and annotations that could foster global ocean metaproteomic capabilities.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding Time Dependence on Zinc Metal-Organic Framework Growth Using In Situ Liquid Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

The abundance of novel metal-organic framework (MOF) materials continues to increase as more applications are discovered for these highly porous, well-ordered crystalline adsorbents. The simplicity of its constituents allows for the design of new MOFs with virtue of functionality and pore topology towards target adsorbates. However, the fundamental understanding of how these frameworks age during nucleation and growth is mostly limited to speculation from simulation studies. In this effort, we utilize the microfluidic interface of liquid and vacuum in a unique SALVI device to analyze the formation and aging of the benchmark MOF-74 framework using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the SIMS mass spectra together with ex situ microscopy and porosimetry, provide new insights into the growth and aging process.

Sabale, Sandip R.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Versatile Ligand-Exchange Method for the Synthesis of Water-Soluble Monodisperse AuAg Nanoclusters for Cancer Therapy

A general-applicable two-phase ligand exchange method is developed to prepare a series of monodisperse water-soluble AuAg nanoclusters. This method relies on the ligand exchange of the water-soluble ligands (e.g., tiopronin, captopril, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, glutathione, and mercaptosuccinic acid) with phenylacetylene and triphenylphosphine co-protected AuAg precursors. Both polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicate the monodispersity and ultrasmall size of the prepared water-soluble metal nanoclusters. In addition, the structure has also been characterized by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectra (ESI-TOF-MS), etc. The preliminary application of the as-prepared AuAg nanoclusters protected with tiopronin has been explored via the postmodification of the carboxyl groups of thiols with doxorubicin (DOX).

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2011

Soft Ionization of Thermally Evaporated Hypergolic Ionic Liquid Aerosols

Isolated ion pairs of a conventional ionic liquid, 1-Ethyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim+][Tf 2 N–]), and a reactive hypergolic ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Dicyanamide ([Bmim+][Dca–]), are generated by vaporizing ionic liquid submicrometer aerosol particles for the first time; the vaporized species are investigated by dissociative ionization with tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light, exhibiting clear intact cations, Emim + and Bmim + , presumably originating from intact ion pairs. Mass spectra of ion pair vapor from an effusive source of the hypergolic ionic liquid show substantial reactive decomposition due to the internal energy of the molecules emanating from the source. Also, hotoionization efficiency curves in the near threshold ionization region of isolated ion pairs of [Emim + ][Tf 2 N – ] ionic liquid vapor are compared for an aerosol source and an effusive source, revealing changes in the appearance energy due to the amount of internal energy in the ion pairs. The aerosol source has a shift to higher threshold energy (~0.3 eV), attributed to reduced internal energy of the isolated ion pairs. Lastly, the method of ionic liquid submicrometer aerosol particle vaporization, for reactive ionic liquids such as hypergolic species, is a convenient, thermally “cooler” source of isolated intact ion pairs in the gas phase compared to effusive sources.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effects of Chemical Complexity on the Autoxidation Mechanisms of Endocyclic Alkene Ozonolysis Products: From Methylcyclohexenes toward Understanding α-Pinene

Formation of highly oxidized, multifunctional products in the ozonolysis of three endocyclic alkenes, 1- methylcyclohexene, 4- methylcyclohexene, and α-pinene, was investigated using a chemical ionization atmospheric pressure interface time-of-flight (CI-APi-TOF) mass spectrometer with a nitrate ion (NO 3 - ) based ionization scheme. Also, the experiments were performed in borosilicate glass flow tube reactors at room temperature (T = 293 ± 3 K) and at ambient pressure. An ensemble of oxidized monomer and dimer products was detected, with elemental compositions obtained from the high-resolution mass spectra. The monomer product distributions have O/C ratios from 0.8 to 1.6 and can be explained with an autocatalytic oxidation mechanism (=autoxidation) where the oxygen-centered peroxy radical (RO 2 ) intermediates internally rearrange by intramolecular hydrogen shift reactions, enabling more oxygen molecules to attach to the carbon backbone. Dimer distributions are proposed to form by homogeneous peroxy radical recombination and cross combination reactions. Our conclusions were supported by experiments where H atoms were exchanged to D atoms by addition of D 2 O to the carrier gas flow. Methylcyclohexenes were observed to autoxidize in accordance with our previous work on cyclohexene, whereas in α-pinene ozonolysis different mechanistic steps are needed to explain the products observed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Informed-Proteomics: open-source software package for top-down proteomics

Top-down proteomics involves the analysis of intact proteins. This approach is very attractive as it allows for analyzing proteins in their endogenous form without proteolysis, preserving valuable information about post-translation modifications, isoforms, proteolytic processing or their combinations collectively called proteoforms. Moreover, the quality of the top-down LC-MS/MS datasets is rapidly increasing due to advances in the liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation and sample processing protocols. However, the top-down mass spectra are substantially more complex compare to the more conventional bottom-up data. To take full advantage of the increasing quality of the top-down LC-MS/MS datasets there is an urgent need to develop algorithms and software tools for confident proteoform identification and quantification. In this study we present a new open source software suite for top-down proteomics analysis consisting of an LC-MS feature finding algorithm, a database search algorithm, and an interactive results viewer. The presented tool along with several other popular tools were evaluated using human-in-mouse xenograft luminal and basal breast tumor samples that are known to have significant differences in protein abundance based on bottom-up analysis.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗
DOE OSTI2025

Wavelength-dependent photodissociation of iodomethylbutane

Ultrashort XUV pulses of the Free-Electron-LASer in Hamburg (FLASH) were used to investigate laser-induced fragmentation patterns of the prototypical chiral molecule 1-iodo-2-methyl-butane (C 5 H 11 I) in a pump-probe scheme. Ion velocity-map images and mass spectra of optical-laser-induced fragmentation were obtained for subsequent FEL exposure with photon energies of 63 eV and 75 eV. These energies specifically address the iodine 4d edge of neutral and singly charged iodine, respectively. The presented ion spectra for two optical pump-laser wavelengths, i.e., 800 nm and 267 nm, reveal substantially different cationic fragment yields in dependence on the wavelength and intensity. For the case of 800-nm-initiated fragmentation, the molecule dissociates notably slower than for the 267 nm pump. The results underscore the importance of considering optical-laser wavelength and intensity in the dissociation dynamics of this prototypical chiral molecule that is a promising candidate for future studies of its asymmetric nature.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Structural and functional analyses explain Pea KAI2 receptor diversity and reveal stereoselective catalysis during signal perception

KAI2 proteins are plant α/β hydrolase receptors which perceive smoke-derived butenolide signals and endogenous, yet unidentified KAI2-ligands (KLs). The number of functional KAI2 receptors varies among species and KAI2 gene duplication and sub-functionalization likely plays an adaptative role by altering specificity towards different KLs. Legumes represent one of the largest families of flowering plants and contain many agronomic crops. Prior to their diversification, KAI2 underwent duplication resulting in KAI2A and KAI2B. Here we demonstrate that Pisum sativum KAI2A and KAI2B are active receptors and enzymes with divergent ligand stereoselectivity. KAI2B has a higher affinity for and hydrolyses a broader range of substrates including strigolactone-like stereoisomers. We determine the crystal structures of PsKAI2B in apo and butenolide-bound states. The biochemical, structural, and mass spectra analyses of KAI2s reveal a transient intermediate on the catalytic serine and a stable adduct on the catalytic histidine, confirming its role as a bona fide enzyme. Our work uncovers the stereoselectivity of ligand perception and catalysis by diverged KAI2 receptors and proposes adaptive sensitivity to KAR/KL and strigolactones by KAI2B.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Proton transfer in acetaldehyde–water clusters mediated by a single water molecule

Proton transfer in aqueous media is a ubiquitous process, occurring in acid–base chemistry, biology, and in atmospheric photochemistry. Photoionization mass spectrometry coupled with theoretical calculations demonstrate that a relay-type proton transfer mechanism is operational for single-water-molecule-assisted proton transfer between two acetaldehyde molecules in the gas phase. Threshold photoionization of acetaldehyde–water clusters leads to proton transfer between the formyl groups (–CH=O) of one acetaldehyde molecule to another, and the subsequent formation of cationic moieties. Density functional theory computations reveal several plausible pathways of proton transfer in mixed cluster cations. Among these pathways, water-mediated proton transfer is energetically favored. Finally, mass spectra and photoionization efficiency curves confirm these theoretical findings and also demonstrate the increased stability of cluster cations where acetaldehyde molecules are symmetrically bonded to the hydronium ion.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Experimental and computational studies of Criegee intermediate reactions with NH 3 and CH 3 NH 2

Ammonia and amines are emitted into the troposphere by various natural and anthropogenic sources, where they have a significant role in aerosol formation. Here, we explore the significance of their removal by reaction with Criegee intermediates, which are produced in the troposphere by ozonolysis of alkenes. Rate coefficients for the reactions of two representative Criegee intermediates, formaldehyde oxide (CH 2 OO) and acetone oxide ((CH 3 ) 2 COO) with NH 3 and CH 3 NH 2 were measured using cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent rate coefficients, k(CH 2 OO + NH 3 ) = (3.1 ± 0.5) × 10 -20 T 2 exp(1011 ± 48/T) cm 3 s -1 and k(CH 2 OO + CH 3 NH 2 ) = (5 ± 2) × 10 -19 T 2 exp(1384 ± 96/T) cm 3 s -1 were obtained in the 240 to 320 K range. Both the reactions of CH 2 OO were found to be independent of pressure in the 10 to 100 Torr (N 2 ) range, and average rate coefficients k(CH 2 OO + NH 3 ) = (8.4 ± 1.2) × 10 -14 cm 3 s -1 and k(CH 2 OO + CH 3 NH 2 ) = (5.6 ± 0.4) × 10 -12 cm 3 s -1 were deduced at 293 K. An upper limit of ≤2.7 × 10 -15 cm 3 s -1 was estimated for the rate coefficient of the (CH 3 ) 2 COO + NH3 reaction. Complementary measurements were performed with mass spectrometry using synchrotron radiation photoionization giving k(CH 2 OO + CH 3 NH 2 ) = (4.3 ± 0.5) × 10-12 cm3 s-1 at 298 K and 4 Torr (He). Photoionization mass spectra indicated production of NH 2 CH 2 OOH and CH 3 N(H)CH 2 OOH functionalized organic hydroperoxide adducts from CH 2 OO + NH 3 and CH 2 OO + CH 3 NH 2 reactions, respectively. Ab initio calculations performed at the CCSD(T)(F12*)/cc-pVQZ-F12//CCSD(T)(F12*)/cc-pVDZ-F12 level of theory predicted pre-reactive complex formation, consistent with previous studies. Master equation simulations of the experimental data using the ab initio computed structures identified submerged barrier heights of -2.1 ± 0.1 kJ mol -1 and -22.4 ± 0.2 kJ mol -1 for the CH 2 OO + NH 3 and CH 2 OO + CH 3 NH 2 reactions, respectively. The reactions of NH3 and CH3NH2 with CH 2 OO are not expected to compete with its removal by reaction with (H 2 O) 2 in the troposphere. Similarly, losses of NH 3 and CH 3 NH 2 by reaction with Criegee intermediates will be insignificant compared with reactions with OH radicals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Dissociation path competition of radiolysis ionization-induced molecule damage under electron beam illumination

Radiolysis ionization under electron beam illumination induces dissociation and damage of organic and biological molecules; thus, it is impossible to image the related materials by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To understand the atomistic mechanism of radiolysis damage, we developed a systematical procedure based on real-time time-dependent density functional theory (rt-TDDFT) for simulating the radiolysis damage processes of molecules; this procedure can describe the ionization cross sections of the electronic states and the fast dissociation processes caused by hot carrier cooling and the Auger decay on deep levels. For the radiolysis damage of C 2 H 6 O 2 , our simulation unexpectedly showed that there is strong competition among three different dissociation paths, including fast dissociation caused by nonadiabatic cooling of the hot carrier; fast dissociation caused by Auger decay, which induces double ionization and Coulomb explosion; and slow dissociation caused by increased kinetic energy. As the energy of the incident electron beam changes, the time scales of these dissociation paths and their relative contributions to the molecule damage change significantly. These simulation results explain the measured mass spectra of the C 2 H 6 O 2 dissociation fragments and also provide clear competition mechanisms for blocking these dissociation paths in the TEM imaging of organic and biological materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗