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At least 703 records · Page 39

ANS Winter 2022: ATF-2C Physics Safety and Scoping Analysis

ATF-2C comprises four tiers with six rodlets each. The experiment test train (TT) is situated in Loop 2A in the center flux trap (CFT) of the ATR, in which typical pressurized water reactor (PWR) conditions shall be approximated. Tier 1 (bottom) of the TT tests Framatome silicon carbide (SiC) cladding, containing molybdenum heater rods. Low-enriched uranium (LEU) Framatome rodlets with chrome-coated M5 cladding have been modeled in their place for the physics safety analysis to allow the substitution of this tier with fuel if needed. Tier 2 tests LEU Framatome rodlets with M5 cladding, which had irradiated in ATR in prior ATF experiments. Tier 3 tests General Atomics SiC composite cladding, also containing molybdenum heater rods. Tier 4/5/6 (top) tests the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)/Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) fueled rodlets. This upper tier tests LEU rodlets with chrome-coated MDA cladding—several with temperature or pressure instrumentation. To flatten the axial power profile, lower portion of Tier 4/5/6 is surrounded by a hafnium (Hf) shroud, and the bottom two UO2 pellets are of natural enrichment. The ATF-2C TT is to be irradiated in the CFT of ATR (Fig. 1) for three or four 60-day cycles.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

High-temperature, irradiation-resistant thermocouple, coaxial thermocouple, and related methods

A coaxial thermocouple includes a wire, an insulation layer surrounding the wire, a sheath surrounding the insulation layer, and an electrical junction formed between the wire and the sheath and at one longitudinal end of the coaxial thermocouple, the electrical junction including a swaged end with an outer diameter of the sheath reducing in diameter along a longitudinal length of the coaxial thermocouple until the sheath contacts the wire within the insulation layer. The wire includes a first material and the sheath includes a second material where the first material includes one of molybdenum (Mo) or niobium (Nb) and the second material includes the other of molybdenum (Mo) or niobium (Nb).

Skifton, Richard S.↗

High-performance corrosion-resistant high-entropy alloys

This disclosure provides alloy compositions comprising the main constituent elements iron, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, and chromium. In one embodiment, the alloy comprises 10.0 to 30.0 wt % iron; 30.0 to 60.0 wt % nickel; 10.0 to 25.0 wt % cobalt; 1.0 to 15.0 wt % molybdenum; 15.0 to 25.0 wt % chromium by weight; where the sum of iron and nickel is at least 50 wt %; and, where the balance comprises minor elements, the total amount of minor elements being about 5% or less by weight. The alloy compositions have use as coatings to protect metals and alloys from corrosion in extreme environments where corrosion is a major concern such as with exposure to sea water or sea water with CO 2 .

Hawk, Jeffrey A.↗

Catalysts and process for liquid hydrocarbon fuel production

The present invention provides a novel process and system in which a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen synthesis gas, or syngas, is converted into hydrocarbon mixtures composed of high quality gasoline components, aromatic compounds, and lower molecular weight gaseous olefins in one reactor or step. The invention utilizes a novel molybdenum-zeolite catalyst in high pressure hydrogen for conversion, as well as a novel rhenium-zeolite catalyst in place of the molybdenum-zeolite catalyst, and provides for use of the novel catalysts in the process and system of the invention.

White, Mark G.↗

Operando Study of Thermal Oxidation of Monolayer MoS 2

Abstract Monolayer MoS 2 is a promising semiconductor to overcome the physical dimension limits of microelectronic devices. Understanding the thermochemical stability of MoS 2 is essential since these devices generate heat and are susceptible to oxidative environments. Herein, the promoting effect of molybdenum oxides (MoO x ) particles on the thermal oxidation of MoS 2 monolayers is shown by employing operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, ex situ scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The study demonstrates that chemical vapor deposition‐grown MoS 2 monolayers contain intrinsic MoO x and are quickly oxidized at 100 °C (3 vol% O 2 /He), in contrast to previously reported oxidation thresholds (e.g., 250 °C, t ≤ 1 h in the air). Otherwise, removing MoO x increases the thermal oxidation onset temperature of monolayer MoS 2 to 300 °C. These results indicate that MoO x promote oxidation. An oxide‐free lattice is critical to the long‐term stability of monolayer MoS 2 in state‐of‐the‐art 2D electronic, optical, and catalytic applications.

2-dimensional material↗

MoS 2 Catalysts Selectively Achieve High Yield of Liquid Oxygenate from Direct Conversion of Methane via Hydroxyl Radicals

Directly converting methane (CH 4 ) into liquid oxygenates (e.g., methanol) can circumvent the cost and engineering limits of natural gas transportation and storage. However, oxygenate yields from CH 4 remain low, and sulfur present in natural gas hinders activity in most catalysts. Here, to overcome these barriers, we employ bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), a low-cost, robust catalyst which selectively produces large quantities of liquid oxygenates (>900 µmol/g cat ∙hr) from methane in the presence of hydroxyl (OH • ) radicals produced from dilute hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) at 75°C. Under realistic reaction conditions, MoS 2 partially and reversibly adopts a metastable, more electrically conductive phase (1T’) that can only be observed through in situ structural probes. Herein, we elucidate that redox synergy between H 2 O 2 and MoS 2 produces active OH • radical species that selectively transform CH 4 to surface methoxy species at the gas-solid liquid interface, leading to the unitary production of liquid oxygenate at a rate competitive with more costly precious metal catalysts, without additional catalyst preparation steps.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Single-Site Carbon-Supported Metal-Oxo Complexes in Heterogeneous Catalysis: Structure, Reactivity, and Mechanism

When early transition metal complexes are molecularly grafted onto catalyst supports, well-defined, surface-bound species are created, which are highly active and selective single-site heterogeneous catalysts (SSHCs) for diverse chemical transformations. Further, in this minireview, we analyze and summarize a less conventional type of SSHC in which molybdenum dioxo species are grafted onto unusual carbon-unsaturated scaffolds, such as activated carbon, reduced graphene oxide, and carbon nanohorns. The choice of earth-abundant, low-toxicity, versatile metal constituents, and various carbon supports illustrates “catalyst by design” principles and yields insights into new catalytic systems of both academic and technological interest. Here, we summarize experimental and computational investigations of the bonding, electronic structure, reaction scope, and mechanistic pathways of these unusual catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Molecular Understanding of Charge Storage in MoS 2 Supercapacitors with Ionic Liquids

Owing to high electrical conductivity and ability to reversibly host a variety of inserted ions, 2D metallic molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS 2 ) has demonstrated promising energy storage performance when used as a supercapacitor electrode. However, its charge storage mechanism is still not fully understood, in particular, how the interlayer spacing of 1T-MoS 2 would affect its capacitive performance. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations of 1T-MoS 2 with interlayer spacing ranging from 0.615 to 1.615 nm have been performed to investigate the resulting charge storage capacity in ionic liquids. Simulations reveal a camel-like capacitance-potential relation, and MoS 2 with an interlayer spacing of 1.115 nm has the highest volumetric and gravimetric capacitance of 118 F cm –3 and 42 F g –1 , respectively. Although ions in MoS 2 with an interlayer spacing of 1.115 nm diffuse much faster than with interlayer spacings of 1.365 and 1.615 nm, the MoS 2 with larger interlayer spacing has a much faster-charging process. Our analyses reveal that the ion number density and its charging speed, as well as ion motion paths, have significant impacts on the charging response. Here, this work helps to understand how the interlayer spacing affects the interlayer ion structures and the capacitive performance of MoS 2 , which is important for revealing the charge storage mechanism and designing MoS 2 supercapacitor.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Sputter-Deposited Mo Thin Films: Multimodal Characterization of Structure, Surface Morphology, Density, Residual Stress, Electrical Resistivity, and Mechanical Response

Multimodal datasets of materials are rich sources of information which can be leveraged for expedited discovery of process–structure–property relationships and for designing materials with targeted structures and/or properties. For this data descriptor article, we provide a multimodal dataset of magnetron sputter-deposited molybdenum (Mo) thin films, which are used in a variety of industries including high temperature coatings, photovoltaics, and microelectronics. In this dataset we explored a process space consisting of 27 unique combinations of sputter power and Ar deposition pressure. Here, the phase, structure, surface morphology, and composition of the Mo thin films were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Physical properties—namely, thickness, film stress and sheet resistance—were also measured to provide additional film characteristics and behaviors. Additionally, nanoindentation was utilized to obtain mechanical load-displacement data. The entire dataset consists of 2072 measurements including scalar values (e.g., film stress values), 2D linescans (e.g., x-ray diffractograms), and 3D imagery (e.g., atomic force microscopy images). An additional 1889 quantities, including film hardness, modulus, electrical resistivity, density, and surface roughness, were derived from the experimental datasets using traditional methods. Minimal analysis and discussion of the results are provided in this data descriptor article to limit the authors’ preconceived interpretations of the data. Overall, the data modalities are consistent with previous reports of refractory metal thin films, ensuring that a high-quality dataset was generated. The entirety of this data is committed to a public repository in the Materials Data Facility.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effects of carbonation on the retention of heavy metals in chemically activated BOF slag pastes

Basic Oxygen Furnace slag contains heavy metals, including vanadium, chromium and molybdenum. The leachability of these elements determines the industrial applicability of slag-based building products. This study investigates the post‑carbonation leaching of heavy metals from activated BOF slag pastes with the focus on the activator dosage and type (sodium and potassium citrate). Results reveal that the high degree of brownmillerite hydration boosts the leachability of heavy metals as its hydration product- hydrogarnet is less stable upon carbonation. With two leaching procedures, it is demonstrated that the carbonation resistance of pastes becomes the main attribute in preventing the leaching of heavy metals. It can be enhanced by optimising the activator dosage to facilitate the hydration of C{sub 2}S and consequent structural densification.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Controlling MoO 2 and MoO 3 phases in MoO x /CNTs nanocomposites and their application to anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and capacitors

Molybdenum oxides (MoO 2 and MoO 3 ) are attractive anode materials for Li- and Na- ion batteries. Although there have been extensive studies on them individually, systematic and comparative studies are still lacking. Here, we demonstrate a facile and straightforward synthesis method to control the phase and oxidation state in the MoO x /CNTs nanocomposites via hydrothermal reaction followed by heat-treatment. By changing the gas atmosphere during the annealing process, well-dispersed MoO 2 /CNTs and MoO 3 /CNTs nanocomposites are formed without altering their overall morphology. This strategy enables us to investigate the true structure-property correlation of MoO x /CNTs nanocomposites by comparing the structure and electrochemical properties of MoO 2 /CNTs and MoO 3 /CNTs. When tested as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, both HT-MoO 2&3 /CNTs electrodes show much-improved cycling stability and rate performance compared to the rod-shaped bulk MoO 3 electrode. In situ Mo K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) has been further employed to compare and elucidate Li + storage mechanisms of both electrodes. When employed to the negative electrode of a high-power lithium-ion capacitor (LIC), the LIC full-cell composed of HT-MoO 3 /CNTs negative and activated carbon positive electrodes demonstrates impressive energy and power densities (~ 90 Wh kg –1 with 2000 W kg –1 ) and excellent cycling stability (96.8 % capacity retention after 300 cycles), revealing the versatility of the MoO x /CNTs electrodes in energy applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Nickel-rich, volatile depleted iron meteorites: Relationships and formation processes

Ungrouped iron meteorites Tishomingo, Willow Grove, and Chinga, and group IVB iron meteorites, are Ni-rich. Similarities include enrichments of 10–100 × CI for some refractory siderophile elements, and equivalent depletions in more volatile siderophile elements. Superimposed on the overall enrichment/depletion trend, certain siderophile elements (P, W, Fe, Mo) are depleted relative to elements of similar volatility. All three ungrouped irons derive from parent bodies formed in the early Solar System. Willow Grove and Chinga are characterized by cosmic ray exposure corrected 182 W/ 184 W consistent with metal-silicate segregation on their parent bodies within 1–3 Myr of Solar System formation, within the age range determined for segregation of magmatic iron meteorite parent bodies, including group IVB irons. Tishomingo is characterized by a younger model age 4–5 Myr subsequent to Solar System formation, reflecting either late stage melting resulting from 26 Al decay, or an impact resetting. The discovery of stishovite in Tishomingo, indicating exposure to a minimum shock pressure of 8–9 GPa, is consistent with the latter. Stishovite in Tishomingo and chromite included in troilite-daubréelite in IVB irons allows oxygen isotopic composition comparison between these meteorites. Different mass independent oxygen isotopic compositions of IVB irons and Tishomingo indicate genetically distinct parent bodies. By contrast, mass independent Mo isotopic compositions overlap within analytical uncertainties, indicating a similar, carbonaceous chondrite (CC) type genetic heritage. Molybdenum and 183 W isotopic data for Chinga and Willow Grove indicate derivation from CC type parent bodies. Willow Grove shares Mo and 183 W isotopic compositions with the Ni-rich South Byron Trio (SBT) grouplet and the Milton pallasite. These Ni-rich meteorites likely formed in the same general nebular environment as other CC planetesimals, likely the outer Solar System. Highly siderophile element (HSE) abundances of Willow Grove and Tishomingo are similar to some IVB meteorites, consistent with formation by moderate degrees of fractional crystallization from initial metallic melts with low S and P, and modestly fractionated HSE. The comparable HSE abundances of Tishomingo and Willow Grove to some IVB irons, yet substantially higher Ni concentrations, indicate formation on parent bodies with lower bulk HSE abundances or HSE concentration in proportionally smaller volumes of metal. HSE abundances in Chinga are considerably lower than in IVB irons, highly fractionated, and processes responsible for these remain elusive. For IVB irons and these ungrouped irons, high temperature condensation likely dominated the enrichment and depletion of the refractory and volatile siderophile elements, respectively. Parent body degassing may have also played a role. Relative depletion of volatile siderophile elements is not, however, a universal feature of high-Ni meteorites. The SBT and Milton pallasite are Ni-rich, but less depleted in the more volatile siderophile elements. Nickel enrichment was likely driven by oxidation of Fe metal during parent body accretion or core segregation. Oxidation of the Tishomingo and Willow Grove parent bodies may have occurred at ~ IW + 1, indicated by relative Mo and W depletions due to metal/water reaction during differentiation. Late-stage reduction, indicated by the presence of Cr-bearing sulfides in Tishomingo and IVB irons, may have resulted from exhaustion of the oxidant.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microstructural evolution of Mo-UO 2 cermets under high temperature hydrogen environments

Ceramic-metallic (cermet) materials show promise for use in nuclear thermal propulsion applications due to attractive thermophysical properties including high temperature stability and high thermal conductivity. In this work, molybdenum-uranium dioxide (Mo-UO 2 ) cermet fuel elements were fabricated by means of spark plasma sintering (SPS) and were subsequently exposed to hydrogen at high temperatures (2500 K). Mo-UO 2 samples pre- and post-exposure were characterized by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Microscopy analyses of the as-produced material displayed microscopic cracking on the interior of the spherical UO 2 fuel particles but confirmed that the fuel particles were fully encapsulated in the Mo matrix. The results further showed mass loss, macroscopic swelling, and cracking in the cermet samples which occurred during high temperature hydrogen testing. Nanoscale swelling was evidenced by XRD in the Mo matrix and UO 2 fuel structure due to the incorporation of defects and accompanied microstrain.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Computational determination of a primary diffusion mode in γ U-10Mo under irradiation

Low enriched uranium (< 20 % 235 U)-molybdenum (U-Mo) monolithic fuel is the primary candidate for high performance research and test reactors, and is in the process of being qualified to replace highly enriched uranium (≥ 20 % 23 5U) fuel. As part of the qualification process, it is critical to understand and predict the behavior of fission gas bubbles under irradiation, which affects fuel swelling and fuel failure. Mechanistic fuel models are being developed that can both reproduce the existing experimental data for fuel swelling, and be further applied to irradiation conditions beyond the experimental scope. Diffusion of species under irradiation conditions is an important parameter in the mechanistic fuel models; however, no temperature-relevant experimental diffusion data exists. In the present work, radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients of U, Mo, and Xe in λU-10wt.%Mo were calculated in the temperature range between 300 K and 1400 K via rate-theory models and molecular dynamics simulations with an embedded-atom method interatomic potential for the U-Mo-Xe system. Accordingly, total diffusion coefficients under relevant irradiation conditions are determined using previously obtained intrinsic thermal diffusion and radiation-driven diffusion coefficients, as well as the newly calculated radiation-enhanced diffusion coefficients presented herein. Radiation-enhanced diffusion of U and Mo was dominant in the intermediate temperature range, whereas radiation-enhanced diffusion of Xe did not significantly contribute to total diffusion of Xe at the relevant fission rate densities. Radiation-enhanced diffusion of Xe became faster than both intrinsic thermal diffusion and radiation-driven diffusion at a fission rate density of 5 x 10 22 fissions/m 3 /s, which is higher than the typical fission rate density range in research reactors. The temperature regime that radiation-enhanced diffusion of each element dominated was dependent on the fission rate density. Finally, the total diffusion coefficients of U, Mo, and Xe, updated in this work, will be utilized as parameters in the mechanistic fuel models to help predict the behavior of fission gas bubbles under irradiation more accurately.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Influence of implantation temperature and He implantation-induced defects on morphological evolution of co-deposited Cu-Mo nanocomposites

Here, we investigate the effect of high-temperature helium (He) implantation on microstructural evolution in physical-vapor-co-deposited nanocomposite thin films of copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo). The microstructure morphologies of He-implanted and He-free domains are characterized using transmission electron microscopy and statistical analysis. High implantation temperatures (500°C and 750°C) lead to coarsening of Cu and Mo domains and their eventual reorientation. The microstructure evolution in He-implanted and He-free domains is comparable, indicating that implantation-induced defects do not accelerate the coarsening of the nanocomposite as compared to annealing alone. This observation contrasts with previously reported effects of implantation-induced defects on single-phase nanocrystalline metals, which include enhancement of grain growth by increasing self-diffusivity or its inhibition by pinning of grain boundaries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Study of synergistic effects and compositional dependence of hydrogen evolution reaction on MoxNiy alloy thin films in alkaline media

In this paper hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on the molybdenum-nickel thin films has been studied. The Mo x Ni y thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A change in the crystal structure of the samples prepared at different temperatures was observed. The structure of the samples prepared at 25 °C are bcc or amorphous. The structure of alloys sputtered at 800 °C changed to fcc. Tafel plots were constructed for each Mo x Ni y alloy sample. The mechanism of HER was determined from Tafel slope analysis. Values of charge transfer resistance were also determined by impedance spectroscopy. The compositional dependence of activity and the stability of Mo x Ni y thin films in 1 M NaOH were determined by cycling and chronoamperometry. Our results demonstrate that Mo x Ni y thin films prepared at 800 °C show significantly improved activity compared to pure Mo and Ni metals. On the other hand, Mo x Ni y thin films sputtered at 25°C do not show increased activity in comparison to pure Ni metal. Furthermore, this points to a synergistic effect between fcc Mo and fcc Ni in thin films sputtered at elevated temperatures. Mo 63 Ni 67 thin films alloy prepared at 800 °C shows the best values of catalytic activity for HER from all investigated compositions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗