Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “membrane potential”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Engineering the green algae Chlamydomonas incerta for recombinant protein production

Chlamydomonas incerta , a genetically close relative of the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii , shows significant potential as a host for recombinant protein expression. Because of the close genetic relationship between C. incerta and C. reinhardtii , this species offers an additional reference point for advancing our understanding of photosynthetic organisms, and also provides a potential new candidate for biotechnological applications. This study investigates C. incerta ’s capacity to express three recombinant proteins: the fluorescent protein mCherry, the hemicellulose-degrading enzyme xylanase, and the plastic-degrading enzyme PHL7. We have also examined the capacity to target protein expression to various cellular compartments in this alga, including the cytosol, secretory pathway, cytoplasmic membrane, and cell wall. When compared directly with C. reinhardtii , C. incerta exhibited a distinct but notable capacity for recombinant protein production. Cellular transformation with a vector encoding mCherry revealed that C. incerta produced approximately 3.5 times higher fluorescence levels and a 3.7-fold increase in immunoblot intensity compared to C. reinhardtii . For xylanase expression and secretion, both C. incerta and C. reinhardtii showed similar secretion capacities and enzymatic activities, with comparable xylan degradation rates, highlighting the industrial applicability of xylanase expression in microalgae. Finally, C. incerta showed comparable PHL7 activity levels to C. reinhardtii , as demonstrated by the in vitro degradation of a polyester polyurethane suspension, Impranil® DLN. Finally, we also explored the potential of cellular fusion for the generation of genetic hybrids between C. incerta and C. reinhardtii as a means to enhance phenotypic diversity and augment genetic variation. We were able to generate genetic fusion that could exchange both the recombinant protein genes, as well as associated selectable marker genes into recombinant offspring. These findings emphasize C. incerta ’s potential as a robust platform for recombinant protein production, and as a powerful tool for gaining a better understanding of microalgal biology.

cell membranes↗
DOE OSTI2022

Harnessing Particle Size‐Control and DNA‐Oligo Functionalization in ZIF‐76 for Biological Applications

Abstract Advanced therapeutics require novel nanocarriers to ensure their functionality is preserved during transit. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) have emerged as promising materials in this field owing to their combined biocompatibility, high porosity, and tunable chemistry. While a diverse family of ZIFs has been reported, few have been explored beyond the prototypical ZIF‐8. Herein, the size‐controlled synthesis of three distinct ZIF‐76 analogs is demonstrated, overcoming the unique synthetic challenges intrinsic to the lta topology and complex crystallization kinetics associated with the mixed linker approach. This assesses the materials’ platform effectiveness for intracellular delivery first by exploring the structural and colloidal stability in biologically relevant media. To circumvent particle aggregation, fluorescently labeled DNA oligonucleotides are post‐synthetically attached to the ZIF surface. This modification significantly improves the colloidal stability in media and facilitates particle internalization tracking. Finally, the particle‐cell interactions are assessed, revealing rapid cell membrane association with macrophages, but not lung epithelial cells, and ZIF accumulation within macrophages which increased over time. Importantly, this study outlines a generalized approach toward expanding the available library of ZIFs for biological applications, enabling the potential for targeted therapeutic delivery for intracellular infections treatment.

Deneff, Jacob I.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Innovative Method for Reliable Measurement of PEM Water Electrolyzer Component Resistances

Understanding the sheet resistance of porous electrodes is essential for improving the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers and related technologies. Despite its importance, existing methods often fail to provide reliable and comprehensive data, especially for porous materials with complex morphologies and non‐uniform thicknesses. This study introduces a robust and straightforward method for determining the sheet resistance of porous electrodes using a novel probe concept based on industrial printed circuit board (PCB) technology. This probe measures resistance across ten distances, ranging from 250 µm to 2500 µm, enabling local mapping of resistance. The study focuses on the sheet resistance of key components in PEM water electrolyzers, including the gas diffusion layer (GDL), porous transport layer (PTL), and catalyst layers deposited on a membrane. Additionally, an image‐processing‐based method is presented to obtain the thickness distribution of the studied catalyst layers, facilitating a detailed analysis of the electrical in‐plane resistivity with thickness variations. Overall, this methodology has the potential to expedite material integration and bridge the gap between electrode engineering and single‐cell testing, thereby advancing the development of PEM water electrolyzers.

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

Mitigating Crack Formation When Using High Oxygen Permeability Ionomer in PEMFC Catalyst Layers

High oxygen permeability ionomers (HOPIs) are being developed as an alternative to conventional perfluorosulfonic (PFSA) ionomers for cathodes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). HOPIs aim to reduce local oxygen transport resistance, improving performance and reducing degradation as the catalyst loses surface area. However, HOPIs' more rigid, 3D backbone leads to increased crack density in the cathode, potentially causing accelerated degradation. This study investigates crack formation in HOPI-based and PFSA-bound catalyst layers (CLs). We conducted a comprehensive parametric study to identify conditions and catalyst slurry components that minimize cracking. CLs were fabricated with various ionomer and catalyst types, under different relative humidity (RH) levels, solids weight percentages, solvent ratios, and ionomer-to-carbon ratios (I/C). Results show that HOPI-based CLs exhibit less cracking when fabricated under low RH conditions, with lower solids weight percentage, higher alcohol content, and lower I/C. Additionally, catalysts with low/medium surface area carbon supports show less cracking than those with high surface area carbon supports.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Bacteria covalently incorporate polyfluoroalkyl carboxylates into membrane lipids

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), also known as forever chemicals, are global contaminants, but understanding of microbiota–PFAS interactions is limited. Here we show that bacteria covalently incorporate n:3 fluorotelomer carboxylates (FTCAs) into phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, two prominent components of bacterial lipid bilayers. Lipidomics of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas sp. strain 273 grown in the presence of 7:3 FTCA or 8:3 FTCA estimated that 7–12% of the bacterium’s glycerophospholipid pool contains the respective polyfluoroacyl chains. This covalent incorporation was observed in five other axenic bacterial cultures tested, including other Pseudomonas species, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, albeit with lower incorporation percentages. Incorporation occurred over a broad concentration range, and n:3 FTCAs with varying chain length were covalently incorporated into membranes. Biotransformation of polyfluoroalkyl substances (also known as precursors) results in n:3 FTCA intermediates, which bacteria can covalently incorporate into their glycerophospholipid pools. We conclude that bacteria can form fluoromembranes when exposed to precursors and are a potential PFAS sink.

Xie, Yongchao [University of Tennessee, Knoxville ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Purple acid phosphatase2 stimulates a futile cycle of lipid synthesis and degradation, and mitigates the negative growth effects of triacylglycerol accumulation in vegetative tissues

Storage lipids (mostly triacylglycerols, TAGs) serve as an important energy and carbon reserve in plants and hyperaccumulation of TAG in vegetative tissues can cause negative effects on plant growth. Purple acid phosphatase2 (PAP2) was shown previously to affect carbon metabolism and boost plant growth. However, the effects of PAP2 on lipid metabolism remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated PAP2 as a factor that can stimulate a futile cycle of fatty acid (FA) synthesis and degradation and mitigate negative growth effects associated with TAG accumulation in vegetative tissues. Constitutive expression of PAP2 in Arabidopsis thaliana enhanced both lipid synthesis and degradation in leaves and led to substantial increase in seed oil yield. Suppressing lipid degradation in a PAP2-overexpressing line by disrupting sugar-dependent1 (SDP1), a predominant TAG lipase, significantly elevated vegetative TAG content and improved plant growth. Diverting FAs from membrane lipids to TAGs in PAP2-overexpressing plants by constitutively expressing phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (PDAT1) increased TAG contents to up to 6% of dry weight in vegetative tissues without compromising biomass yield. Overall, these results highlight the potential of combining PAP2 with TAG-promoting factors to enhance carbon assimilation, FA synthesis and allocation to TAGs for optimized plant growth and storage lipid accumulation in vegetative tissues.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Modeling a High-Temperature Electrochemically Driven Water-Gas-Shift Process Using a Mixed-Conducting Membrane without External Electrical Power

This paper develops a model to predict and interpret the performance of an elevated-temperature, electrochemical, membrane-assisted, water-gas-shift process. The process uses separated feed streams of H 2 O and CO to produce separated streams of H 2 and CO 2 , without an external electrical power source. The dense ceramic membrane is mixed ionic-electronic-conducting (MIEC) gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) and the porous composite electrodes are Ni-YSZ. At elevated temperature, GDC conducts both oxygen ions and small polarons. The present process uses chemical potential to drive the process. Electrochemical oxidation of CO proceeds within the composite anode and H 2 O reduction proceeds within the composite cathode. At high temperature (e.g., T > 700 °C), GDC has significant electronic leakage in the form of a reduced-cerium small polaron, which supports the charge-transfer reactions. In a typical electrolyzer or fuel cell, this leakage is significantly problematic. However, the present process depends on the leakage current to complete the electrochemical circuit. Model development and validation is based on measured material properties and reactor performance. Potential applications include using CO-rich blast-furnace off gases in steel processing, producing separated streams of H 2 and CO 2 .

Zhu, Huayang↗
DOE OSTI2022

Separation of CO 2 from Flue Gas and Potential for Geologic Sequestration

The objectives of this study were to review various methods reported in the literature for the separation and geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide and evaluate the potential of TVA fossil fuel-burning plant locations for onsite geologic sequestration of CO 2 from stack emissions. Several conventional and nonconventional technologies for the separation of CO 2 from flue gas, including absorption, adsorption, cryogenic distillation, membranes, hydrate formation and dissociation, and ammonia carbonation, have been reviewed in terms of separation mechanisms, flow diagrams, and costs. Most of the technologies that have been reviewed are still at the research and development stage. Critical information needed to assess and compare these technologies is still lacking. In addition, information on some of the technologies that have been tested at a pilot or industrial scale has not been fully disclosed in the open literature. Because of this lack of data, it is difficult to make a critical assessment of each of the separation technologies. Based on limited information, it was concluded that the most promising methods are membrane separation and the Mitsubishi process for chemical absorption. Both processes involve separating CO 2 at high temperature, minimizing the cost for cooling prior to separation. Physical and chemical geologic formations of CO 2 were also reviewed. It was concluded that due to the geologic time scale of CO 2 sequestration periods, relatively safe conditions, general proximity to CO 2 sources, and extensive knowledge of underground conditions, sequestration of CO 2 in underground aquifers and coal beds is a very promising method of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The cost is predicted to be relatively low and the suitable sites are numerous for this application, with many of these sites located close to the plants.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cylindrical C 96 Fullertubes: A Highly Active Metal‐Free O 2 ‐Reduction Electrocatalyst

Abstract A new isolation protocol was recently reported for highly purified metallic Fullertubes D 5h ‐C 90 , D 3d ‐C 96 , and D 5d ‐C 100, which exhibit unique electronic features. Here, we report the oxygen reduction electrocatalytic behavior of C 60 , C 70 (spheroidal fullerenes), and C 90 , C 96 , and C 100 (tubular fullerenes) using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches. C 96 (a metal‐free catalyst) displayed remarkable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, with an onset potential of 0.85 V and a halfway potential of 0.75 V, which are close to the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C benchmark catalyst values. We achieved an excellent power density of 0.75 W cm −2 using C 96 as a modified cathode in a proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell, comparable to other recently reported efficient metal‐free catalysts. Combined band structure (experimentally calculated) and free‐energy (DFT) investigations show that both favorable energy‐level alignment active catalytic sites on the carbon cage are responsible for the superior activity of C 96 .

Sanad, Mohamed Fathi↗
DOE OSTI2026

Impact of Interposer Microstructure on Ionic Transport in Liquid-Phase Bicarbonate Electrolysis

The electrochemical reduction of CO 2 (CO 2 RR) is a potentially scalable approach for converting captured carbon dioxide into value-added products. Conventional gas-phase electrolysis systems can suffer from carbonate crossover, which limits the efficiency of the system. Liquid-phase (bi)carbonate electrolysis using bipolar membrane electrode assemblies (BPMMEA) has emerged as a promising alternative. The interposer layer, a porous mass-transport material between the BPM and the catalyst, is an essential component of the MEA, as it allows evolved CO 2 to reach the catalyst surface for reaction. In the absence of this layer, evolved CO 2 generated by the pH swing process at the BPM can be converted back into (bi)carbonate (CO 2 recapture) due to the high bulk pH. Thus, clear design guidelines are needed to maximize CO 2 conversion, minimize CO 2 recapture in the catholyte, and improve energy efficiency. Here, the transport properties of the interposer are systematically characterized by X-ray tomography and symmetric-cell impedance spectroscopy to quantify porosity, tortuosity, and the resulting MacMullin number. We then examine the correlation between these material properties and the electrolyzer performance. We focus on characterizing two commercial porous membrane filters, mixed cellulose ester (MCE) and poly(ether sulfone) (PES).

CO2 electrolysis↗
DOE OSTI2024

Tandem Electrocatalytic–Thermocatalytic Conversion of CO 2 to Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The reaction of CO 2 with H 2 O to produce aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers) (BTEX) represents a promising pathway for converting CO 2 to value-added liquid products. However, this reaction cannot be achieved in a single electrochemical or thermochemical process. This work utilizes tandem electrochemical-thermochemical reactors as a new paradigm by starting with CO 2 and H 2 O as the feed in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to produce C 2 H 4 , which subsequently undergoes thermochemical aromatization using a Gallium- and Phosphorus-modified zeolite ZSM-5 catalyst (Ga/ZSM-5/P) at ambient pressure to produce BTEX. The current study also demonstrates the potential advantage of the tandem strategy in mitigating negative effects of water by testing the tandem reactor system under different hydration conditions and by performing in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption (XAS) characterization of the aromatization catalysts. Finally, these results highlight the advantage of using the tandem process with the use of a water trap before the thermochemical reactor.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems deploy a large family of polymorphic ionophoric toxins for inter-bacterial competition

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) is a widespread form of inter-bacterial competition mediated by CdiA effector proteins. CdiA is presented on the inhibitor cell surface and delivers its toxic C-terminal region (CdiA-CT) into neighboring bacteria upon contact. Inhibitor cells also produce CdiI immunity proteins, which neutralize CdiA-CT toxins to prevent auto-inhibition. Here, we describe a diverse group of CDI ionophore toxins that dissipate the transmembrane potential in target bacteria. These CdiA-CT toxins are composed of two distinct domains based on AlphaFold2 modeling. The C-terminal ionophore domains are all predicted to form five-helix bundles capable of spanning the cell membrane. The N-terminal "entry" domains are variable in structure and appear to hijack different integral membrane proteins to promote toxin assembly into the lipid bilayer. The CDI ionophores deployed by E. coli isolates partition into six major groups based on their entry domain structures. Comparative sequence analyses led to the identification of receptor proteins for ionophore toxins from groups 1 & 3 (AcrB), group 2 (SecY) and groups 4 (YciB). Using forward genetic approaches, we identify novel receptors for the group 5 and 6 ionophores. Group 5 exploits homologous putrescine import proteins encoded by puuP and plaP, and group 6 toxins recognize di/tripeptide transporters encoded by paralogous dtpA and dtpB genes. Finally, we find that the ionophore domains exhibit significant intra-group sequence variation, particularly at positions that are predicted to interact with CdiI. Accordingly, the corresponding immunity proteins are also highly polymorphic, typically sharing only ~30% sequence identity with members of the same group. Competition experiments confirm that the immunity proteins are specific for their cognate ionophores and provide no protection against other toxins from the same group. The specificity of this protein interaction network provides a mechanism for self/nonself discrimination between E. coli isolates.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

High Performance Metal-Supported SOFC System for Range Extension of Commercial Aviation

The DOE ARPA-E REEACH program [1] has enabled this Phase 1 study that conceptualizes a commercial 154 passenger electric aircraft using renewable aviation fuel for range extension while meeting similar mission performance levels as current commercial aircraft. Commercial aviation accounts for about 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, and close to 5% of overall anthropogenic climate change due to the added accounting of contrail’s effects [2]. The sector has adopted a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 [3]. 110 nations, and recently the new US administration, have embarked on work to address this important challenge. The US DOE has released a roadmap to enable the further development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the hopes that it could meet all of aviation’s fuel needs by 2050 [4]. However, SAF fuel price and sufficient future feedstock availability remains a concern [5]. Considering the first commercial biofuel flight demonstration 14 years ago [6] and that SAF still only comprises less than 0.1% of jet fuel use, the question arises as how it can ramp up to 100% use in the next 27 years. One option that has the potential to substantially reduce the need for SAF is to implement light-weight Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) that can efficiently utilize SAF or other sulfur-free hydrocarbon fuels. As opposed to lower temperature PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cells that can use high-purity hydrogen, SOFC’s fuels are very flexible, ranging from low cost liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewable liquefied natural gas (RLNG), to SAF, to generate clean electrical power for use in aviation propulsion and auxiliary power units [7] [8]. Research progress is needed to enable SOFCs to achieve 3.0 kW/kg power density, making them viable for aviation [9]. The DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) has therefore initiated an aviation SOFC R&D program that is anticipated to dramatically reduce aircraft fuel use though the implementation of “Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with low Carbon and High efficiency” (REEACH) [1] for medium range commercial aircraft. This report summarizes the progress during phase 1 of the REEACH program.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Porous transport electrodes for oxygen evolution reaction in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis -cells: Materials, designs, and diagnoses

H 2 production using proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis (PEMWE) cells has received considerable attention because of the high efficiencies of these cells and no harmful emissions from the related process. In PEMWE cells, porous transport electrodes (PTEs) composed of a catalyst layer (CL) comprising O 2 evolution reaction (OER) catalysts, porous transport layer (PTL), and PEM play key roles in the stack performance and lifetime. Herein, Ir-based and non-precious-metal OER catalysts that are highly active and stable at low pH values and high anodic potentials are reviewed to understand their OER mechanisms. Various strategies are proposed for engineering CLs and PTLs to improve the interfacial properties and mass transfers of reactants and products to and from the active sites. Additionally, diagnoses of PTEs is significantly crucial for interpreting electrochemical processes and addressing their current challenges. Therefore, half-cell analyses, including diffusion electrode (DE), floating electrode (FE), and modified rotating disk electrode (MRDE) techniques, are explored, and membrane electrode assembly (MEA)-based analyses, such as the polarization technique, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and magnetic field analysis, are established. In conclusion, this study aims to provide an overview of recent technologies used for the engineering and diagnostic tools of PEMWE cells and insights into the advanced components and systems to be developed in this field.

Diagnosis of PEMWE Cells↗
DOE OSTI2024

Ruthenium-lead oxide for acidic oxygen evolution reaction in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis

Developing an active and stable anode catalyst for the proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEM-WE) is a critical objective to enhance the economic viability of green hydrogen technology. However, the expensive iridium-based electrocatalyst remains the sole practical material with industrial-level stability for the acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Ruthenium-based catalysts have been proposed as more cost-effective alternatives with improved activity, though their stability requires enhancement. The current urgent goal is to reduce costs and noble metal loading of the OER catalyst while maintaining robust activity and stability. Here, in this study, we design a Ru-based OER catalyst incorporating Pb as a supporting element. This electrocatalyst exhibits an OER overpotential of 201 mV at 10 mA.cm -2 , simultaneously reducing Ru noble metal loading by similar to 40%. Normalization of the electrochemically active surface area unveils improved intrinsic activity compared to the pristine RuO 2 catalyst. During a practical stability test in a PEM-WE setup, our developed catalyst sustains stable performance over 300 h without notable degradation, underscoring its potential for future applications as a reliable anodic catalyst.

Electrocatalysis↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mesoporous Textured Fe-N-C Electrocatalysts as Highly Efficient Cathodes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

A new platinum group metal (PGM)-free proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode catalyst materials, synthesized using the VariPore™ method by Pajarito Powder, LLC, are characterized for their structure and activity. The physico-chemical analysis of the iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) electrocatalysts show mesoporous carbon material effectively doped with iron and nitrogen. The materials have an average pore size of 7-8 nm and high specific surface area. The Fe-N-C catalysts exhibit good oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte with high half-wave potential and sustainable electrochemical stability over 10,000 repeated potential cycles with insignificant losses in their activities. As cathode catalysts in a PEMFC, the Fe-N-C materials deliver remarkably good fuel cell performance at low overpotential approaching that of the commercial Pt catalyst. The high ORR electrocatalytic activity of these Fe-N-C catalysts is credited to the synergy between nitrogen-moieties, specifically pyrrolic-N, pyridinic-N, and graphitic-N, and iron in addition to the high mesoporosity that facilitate an effective reaction path in boosting the electrocatalytic activity and stability.

DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Biochemistry of aerobic biological methane oxidation

Methanotrophic bacteria represent a potential route to methane utilization and mitigation of methane emissions. In the first step of their metabolic pathway, aerobic methanotrophs use methane monooxygenases (MMOs) to activate methane, oxidizing it to methanol. There are two types of MMOs: a particulate, membrane-bound enzyme (pMMO) and a soluble, cytoplasmic enzyme (sMMO). The two MMOs are completely unrelated, with different architectures, metal cofactors, and mechanisms. The more prevalent of the two, pMMO, is copper-dependent, but the identity of its copper active site remains unclear. By contrast, sMMO uses a diiron active site, the catalytic cycle of which is well understood. Here we review the current state of knowledge for both MMOs, with an emphasis on recent developments and emerging hypotheses. In addition, we discuss obstacles to developing expression systems, which are needed to address outstanding questions and to facilitate future protein engineering efforts.

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

Characterisation of nano-assemblies inside mesopores using neutron scattering

Adsorption of molecular and nanoscale matter in mesoporous materials is important in filtration and chromatography as well as membrane processes. However, the morphology and distribution of self-assembled structures of adsorbate formed within nanoconfined environments is largely unknown. Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) with porous matrix matching the neutron scattering length density of the solvent has the potential to provide detailed information on the self-assemblies formed in pore spaces. However, analysis of such SANS profiles remains a challenge. In this study, we extend the SANS analysis method previously developed by Findenegg and co-workers to include interparticle correlations, providing a qualitative characterisation of the adsorption state of surfactants and nanoparticles in the cylindrical pores of silica nanomaterials. We find that the pore filling fraction and the self-assembled state of the adsorbate governs the scattering profile. We apply the model to two materials namely, triethyleneglycol monohexyl ether (C 6 E 3 ) surfactant and gold nanoparticles adsorbed in SBA-15 mesoporous silica. In contrast to the C 6 E 3 system, Bragg scattering dominates the diffuse scattering in gold nanoparticle system, which we attribute to the immobile internal structure of the nanoparticles. In conclusion, this new SANS analysis method has potential to elucidate structures of soft matter nanoassemblies inside mesopores.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗