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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 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Identifying point defects and ordering in the high-entropy layered oxide Li 1.5 MO 3-δ (M=Mn, Al, Fe, Co, Ni) for energy storage applications

High-entropy layered oxides (HELOs) represent a very promising class of next-generation battery cathodes, combining the well-studied properties of layered cathode materials such as LiCoO 2 with the chemical tunability and stability of high-entropy materials. HELO materials often form particles with complex defects and domain structures, complicating accurate characterization of structure and cation mixing. Understanding disorder and order in HELO materials is necessary for understanding their performance and utility as cathodes. Here we demonstrate the characterization of the HELO Li 1.5 MO 3-δ (M = Mn, Al, Fe, Co, Ni), wherein X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy imaging, and electron diffraction patterns are analyzed to reveal the presence of ordering in the HELO, with imaging and diffraction simulation employed to compare experimental results to atomic modeling. Finally, without rigorous characterization at the atomic scale, important features such as defect ordering can be easily overlooked and therefore remain unconsidered when interpreting experimental results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Bent HgI 2 Molecules in the Melt and Sulfide Glasses: Implications for Nonlinear Optics

Nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals are widely used in advanced photonic technologies for second harmonic and difference frequency generation (SHG and DFG, respectively), producing coherent light at frequencies where existing lasers are unavailable. Isotropic glasses do not exhibit SHG or DFG, except temporarily induced anisotropy under external stimuli. Nevertheless, recent reports on glasses with chiral structural motifs show promising permanent NLO properties. We introduce an alternative solution: hybrid molecular/network glasses with noncentrosymmetric HgI 2 monomers. Mercury (II) iodide consists of linear HgI 2 triatomic molecules in the vapor phase and in the yellow orthorhombic polymorph stable above 400 K. At lower temperatures, the tetragonal red form is composed of corner-sharing HgI 4/2 tetrahedra forming a layered extended framework. There is a gap in the molecular evolution; direct structural measurements of the liquid HgI 2 phase are missing. Using high-energy X-ray scattering, pulsed neutron diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy supported by structural and vibrational modeling, we show that the mercury(II) iodide melt and HgI 2 -containing sulfide glasses are built up by bent HgI 2 monomers (the bond angle <I-Hg-I = 156 ± 2° in the melt). Here, the noncentrosymmetric entities imply intrinsic optical nonlinearity of the second order, confirmed by a strong SHG response.

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

Intrinsic Kinetic Limitations in Substituted Lithium-Layered Transition-Metal Oxide Electrodes

Substituted Li-layered transition-metal oxide (LTMO) electrodes such as Li x Ni y Mn z Co 1-y-z O 2 (NMC) and Li x Ni y Co 1-y-z Al z O 2 (NCA) show reduced first cycle Coulombic efficiency (90-87% under standard cycling conditions) in comparison with the archetypal Li x CoO 2 (LCO; similar to 98% efficiency). Focusing on Li x Ni 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.0.5 O 2 as a model compound, we use operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to demonstrate that the apparent first-cycle capacity loss is a kinetic effect linked to limited Li mobility at x > 0.88, with near full capacity recovered during a potentiostatic hold following the galvanostatic charge- discharge cycle. This kinetic capacity loss, unlike many capacity losses in LTMOs, is independent of the cutoff voltage during delithiation and it is a reversible process. The kinetic limitation manifests not only as the kinetic capacity loss during discharge but as a subtle bimodal compositional distribution early in charge and, also, a dramatic increase of the charge-discharge voltage hysteresis at x > 0.88. 7 Li NMR measurements indicate that the kinetic limitation reflects limited Li transport at x > 0.86. Electrochemical measurements on a wider range of LTMOs including Li x (Ni,Fe) y Co 1-y O 2 suggest that 5% substitution is sufficient to induce the kinetic limitation and that the effect is not limited to Ni substitution. In this paper, we outline how, in addition to a reduction in the number of Li vacancies and shrinkage of the Li-layer size, the intrinsic charge storage mechanism (two-phase vs solid-solution) and localization of charge give rise to additional kinetic barriers in NCA and nonmetallic LTMOs in general.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Interfaces between hexagonal and cubic oxides and their structure alternatives

Multi-layer structure of functional materials often involves the integration of different crystalline phases. The film growth orientation thus frequently exhibits a transformation, owing to multiple possibilities caused by incompatible in-plane structural symmetry. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanism of the transformation has not yet been fully explored. Here we thoroughly probe the heteroepitaxially grown hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) films on cubic (001)-magnesium oxide (MgO) substrates using advanced scanning transition electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and first principles calculations, revealing two distinct interface models of (001) ZnO/(001) MgO and (100) ZnO/(001) MgO. Here we have found that the structure alternatives are controlled thermodynamically by the nucleation, while kinetically by the enhanced Zn adsorption and O diffusion upon the phase transformation. Finally, this work not only provides a guideline for the interface fabrication with distinct crystalline phases but also shows how polar and non-polar hexagonal ZnO films might be manipulated on the same cubic substrate.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Observation of a mixed close-packed structure in superionic water

The study of superionic (SI) water has been a highly active research area since its theoretical prediction. Despite significant experimental and computational efforts, its melting curve and the stability of different oxygen lattices remain debated, impacting our understanding of SI ice’s peculiar transport properties. Experimental results at lower pressures show disagreement, whereas data at higher pressures are scarce due to the extreme challenges of such experiments. In this work, we present ultrafast X-ray diffraction results of water compressed by multiple shocks to pressures up to ~ 180 GPa. At pressures exceeding 150 GPa and temperatures around 2500 K, our diffraction patterns challenge the pure FCC-SI phase model, providing experimental evidence of the mixed close-packed superionic phase predicted by advanced ab initio calculations. At lower pressures, we observe simultaneous signatures of BCC and FCC structures within a pressure-temperature range consistent with some static-compression experiments, helping to resolve contradictory results in literature. These insights offer new constraints on the stability domains of SI phases and reveal detailed structural features, such as stacking faults. Our results advance the structural understanding of high-pressure SI ice to a level approaching that of ice I polymorphs, with potential implications for water-rich interiors of giant planets.

Andriambariarijaona, Leon [Centre National de la R↗
DOE OSTI2020

Synthesis and structural characterization of Ca 12 Ga 14 O 33

Ca 12 Ga 14 O 33 was successfully synthesized using a wet chemistry technique to promote the homogenous mixing of the Ca and Ga cations. Rietveld refinements on X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data confirm that the compound is isostructural to Ca 12 Al 14 O 33 , however, with a significantly larger lattice parameter allowing for the cages that result from the framework arrangement to expand. In naturally occurring Ca 12 Al 14 O 33 , the mineral mayenite, these cages are occupied by O 2- anions, however, experimental studies exchanging the O 2- anions with other anions has led to a host of applications, depending on the caged anion. The functional nature of the structure, where framework distortions coupled with cage occupants, are correlated to electronic band structure and modifications to the framework could lead to interesting physical properties. The phase evolution was tracked using thermogravimetric analysis and high temperature X-ray diffraction and showed a lower formation temperature for the Ca 12 Ga 14 O 33 analogue compared to Ca 12 Al 14 O 33 synthesized using the same wet chemistry technique. Analyzing both X-ray and neutron powder diffraction using the Rietveld method with two different starting models results in one structural model, with one Ca position and the caged O on a 24d special position, being preferred.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Grazing-incidence diffraction reveals cellulose and pectin organization in hydrated plant primary cell wall

Abstract The primary cell wall is highly hydrated in its native state, yet many structural studies have been conducted on dried samples. Here, we use grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) with a humidity chamber, which enhances scattering and the signal-to-noise ratio while keeping outer onion epidermal peels hydrated, to examine cell wall properties. GIWAXS of hydrated and dried onion reveals that the cellulose ( $$110/1\overline{1}0$$ 110 / 1 1 ¯ 0 ) lattice spacing decreases slightly upon drying, while the (200) lattice parameters are unchanged. Additionally, the ( $$110/1\overline{1}0$$ 110 / 1 1 ¯ 0 ) diffraction intensity increases relative to (200). Density functional theory models of hydrated and dry cellulose microfibrils corroborate changes in crystalline properties upon drying. GIWAXS also reveals a peak that we attribute to pectin chain aggregation. We speculate that dehydration perturbs the hydrogen bonding network within cellulose crystals and collapses the pectin network without affecting the lateral distribution of pectin chain aggregates.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Thermal decomposition of neptunyl ammonium nitrate: mechanistic insights and structural characterization of the Np 2 O 5 intermediate phase

Neptunium (Np) possesses a rich and unique chemistry that often diverges from other actinide elements yet remains relatively underexplored compared with the other light actinides. A resurgence of interest in Np has been spurred by the application of 237 Np for plutonium-238 ( 238 Pu) production for use in radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs), necessitating evaluation of Np chemical reactions and materials. The work presented here studied the thermal decomposition of neptunyl ammonium nitrate (NH 4 Np VI O 2 (NO 3 ) 3 ) for synthesis of neptunium dioxide (NpO 2 ), which is the target material used for production of 238 Pu. Additionally, structural characterization of the intermediate solid Np pentoxide (Np 2 O 5 ) was performed. Advanced solid-state characterization techniques, including simultaneous thermal analysis (STA), powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) modeling have been combined to study the reaction pathways. Analysis revealed that NH 4 Np VI O 2 (NO 3 ) 3 thermally decomposes to a proposed neptunyl nitrate intermediate, followed by Np 2 O 5 and finally NpO 2 , all within the temperature range of 150 °C–600 °C. Further characterization of the pentoxide intermediate provided the first Raman spectra of pure-phase Np 2 O 5 and associated DFT modeling confirmed Raman peak assignments for this phase. These findings provide mechanistic information to advance production of the critical radioisotope 238 Pu and advance the state of knowledge on Np materials chemistry using modern characterization techniques.

Lawson, Kathryn M. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Crack formation in strained β-(AlxGa 1−x ) 2 O 3 films grown on (010) β-Ga 2 O 3 substrates

The cracking and local strain relaxation in (010) (Al x Ga 1−x ) 2 O 3 films grown on Ga 2 O 3 substrates are assessed in terms of film composition and thickness. We utilize x-ray diffraction and electron microscopy techniques combined with simulation and modeling to investigate that film cracking on curvature (flatness) has a directly proportional relationship with film thickness and/or aluminum content. Cross section transmission electron microscopy reveals that cracks along both the (001) and (100) cleavage planes penetrate into the substrate. The diffuse scattered intensity observed in reciprocal space maps (RSMs) is directly correlated with the tilt that is introduced due to the change in the deformation conditions near the cracks. While asymmetric RSMs show that the layers are fully strained, the diffuse scattering distribution in reciprocal space can be interpreted to show that the cracking relaxes and locally tilts the lattice ∼350 nm from the crack edges, which is consistent with the larger radius of curvature associated with the films with higher crack densities. For example, a 200 nm (Al 0.13 Ga 0.87 ) 2 O 3 thick film has an average inter-crack spacing of 3.3 µm, so most of the epitaxial layer is fully strained except near the cracks where it deforms elastically and is consistent with the gallium oxide Poisson ratio. A reciprocal space model was developed, which imports the strain and tilt distributions (based on finite element modeling) to match the features observed in the experimental maps. We also note that previous studies involving (Al x Ga 1−x ) 2 O 3 films may show evidence of cracking as observed in their symmetric and asymmetric RSMs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Genesis of the periodic lattice distortions in the charge density wave state of 2 H- TaSe 2

Using high-energy x-ray diffraction and large-scale three-dimensonal structure modeling, we reveal the evolution of local lattice distortions in the archetypal charge density wave (CDW) system 2 H- TaSe 2 as it is cooled from its normal state above room temperature down to temperature where Ta atoms form a long-range ordered superstructure. In particular, we find that the structure is formed via a gradual in-plane clustering of Ta atoms exhibiting unusually short bonding distances already near room temperature, and not via a cooperative distortion of Ta atomic planes taking place at the critical ordering temperature. Our findings clarify the debated local symmetry and magnitude of the periodic lattice distortions in the CDW state of 2 H- TaSe 2 , and emphasize the role of locally correlated lattice distortions as a precursor of CDWs in low-dimensional solids. Further, we demonstrate an efficient experimental approach to study them.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Measurements of ion stopping around the Bragg peak in high-energy-density plasmas

For the first time, quantitative measurements of ion stopping at energies about the Bragg peak (or peak ion stopping, which occurs at an ion velocity comparable to the average thermal electron velocity), and its dependence on electron temperature (T e ) and electron number density (n e ) in the range of 0.5 – 4.0 keV and 3 × 10 22 – 3 × 10 23 cm -3 have been conducted, respectively. It is experimentally demonstrated that the position and amplitude of the Bragg peak varies strongly with T e with n e . As a result, the importance of including quantum diffraction is also demonstrated in the stopping-power modeling of High-Energy-Density Plasmas.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

X-ray diffraction from nonuniformly stretched helical molecules

The fibrous proteins in living cells are exposed to mechanical forces interacting with other subcellular structures. X-ray fiber diffraction is often used to assess deformation and movement of these proteins, but the analysis has been limited to the theory for fibrous molecular systems that exhibit helical symmetry. However, this approach cannot adequately interpret X-ray data from fibrous protein assemblies where the local strain varies along the fiber length owing to interactions of its molecular constituents with their binding partners. To resolve this problem a theoretical formulism has been developed for predicting the diffraction from individual helical molecular structures nonuniformly strained along their lengths. This represents a critical first step towards modeling complex dynamical systems consisting of multiple helical structures using spatially explicit, multi-scale Monte Carlo simulations where predictions are compared with experimental data in a `forward' process to iteratively generate ever more realistic models. Here the effects of nonuniform strains and the helix length on the resulting magnitude and phase of diffraction patterns are quantitatively assessed. Examples of the predicted diffraction patterns of nonuniformly deformed double-stranded DNA and actin filaments in contracting muscle are presented to demonstrate the feasibly of this theoretical approach.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetic structure and domain conversion of the quasi-2D frustrated antiferromagnet CuCrO{sub 2} probed by NMR

We have carried out {sup 63,65}Cu NMR spectra measurements in a magnetic field up to about 15.5 T on a single crystal of the multiferroic triangular-lattice antiferromagnet CuCrO{sub 2}. The measurements were performed for perpendicular and parallel orientations of the magnetic field with respect to the c axis of the crystal, and the detailed angle dependence of the spectra on the magnetic field direction in the ab plane was studied. The shape of the spectra can be well described in the model of spiral spin structure proposed by recent neutron diffraction experiments. When the field is rotated perpendicular to the crystal c axis, we observed, directly for the first time, a remarkable reorientation of the spin plane simultaneous with rotation of the incommensurate wavevector, by quantitatively deducing the conversion of the energetically less favorable domain to a more favorable one. At high enough fields parallel to the c axis, the data are consistent with either a field-induced commensurate spiral magnetic structure or an incommensurate spiral magnetic structure with a disorder in the c direction, suggesting that high fields may have influence on interplanar ordering.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

The knockout reaction of {sup 15}C on a {sup 9}Be target at intermediate energies

In this work, neutron knockout reactions of {sup 15}C on a {sup 9}Be target at energy 103 and 250 MeV/nucleon are studied. Using the Eikonal approximation of the Glauber model, total neutron removal cross sections, the stripping and diffractive cross sections as well as {sup 14}C longitudinal momentum distributions are determined in both {sup 15}C ground state and exited states of the wave function. We compared the results of our calculations with the available experimental data obtained recently. The calculated cross sections of {sup 15}C and {sup 14}C reactions, as well as the momentum distribution are in relatively good agreement with available data.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measurement of pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV by the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Pseudorapidity (η) distributions of charged particles produced in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV are measured in the ranges |η|<2.2 and 5.3<|η|<6.4 covered by the CMS and TOTEM detectors, respectively. We found that the data correspond to an integrated luminosity of L=45 μb -1 . These measurements are presented for three event categories. The most inclusive category is sensitive to 91–96 % of the total inelastic proton–proton cross section. The other two categories are disjoint subsets of the inclusive sample that are either enhanced or depleted in single diffractive dissociation events. Finally, the data are compared to models used to describe high-energy hadronic interactions. None of the models considered provide a consistent description of the measured distributions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enabling X-ray free electron laser crystallography for challenging biological systems from a limited number of crystals

There is considerable potential for X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) to enable determination of macromolecular crystal structures that are difficult to solve using current synchrotron sources. Prior XFEL studies often involved the collection of thousands to millions of diffraction images, in part due to limitations of data processing methods. We implemented a data processing system based on classical post-refinement techniques, adapted to specific properties of XFEL diffraction data. When applied to XFEL data from three different proteins collected using various sample delivery systems and XFEL beam parameters, our method improved the quality of the diffraction data as well as the resulting refined atomic models and electron density maps. Moreover, the number of observations for a reflection necessary to assemble an accurate data set could be reduced to a few observations. These developments will help expand the applicability of XFEL crystallography to challenging biological systems, including cases where sample is limited.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗