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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 901 records · Page 50
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Photoprotection Mechanism of Light-Harvesting Antenna Complex from Purple Bacteria

Photosynthetic light-harvesting apparatus efficiently capture sunlight and transfer the energy to reaction centers, while they safely dissipate excess energy to surrounding environments for a protection of their organisms. Here in this study, we performed pump–probe spectroscopic measurements with a temporal window ranging from femtosecond to submillisecond on the purple bacterial antenna complex LH2 from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 to clarify its photoprotection functions. The observed excited state dynamics in the time range from subnanosecond to microsecond exhibits that the triplet–triplet excitation energy transfer from bacteriochlorophyll a to carotenoid takes place with a time constant of 16.7 ns. Furthermore, ultrafast spectroscopic data suggests that a molecular assembly of bacteriochlorophyll $\alpha$ in LH2 efficiently suppresses a generation of triple bacteriochlorophyll $\alpha$ .

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Long-Lived Excited State in a Solubilized Graphene Nanoribbon

Graphene nanoribbons have excellent light-absorbing properties, but often exhibit short excited-state lifetimes that prevent their applications in photocatalysis. Here, we report a long-lived charge-transfer triplet excited state in a well solubilized, chlorinated graphene nanoribbon (Cl-GNR) with edges modified by bipyrimidine (bpm) moieties. The photophysical behavior of Cl-GNR was observed and characterized by steady-state UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy on the ps-ms timescale, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In this work, both the Cl-GNR and its monomeric subunit, chlorinated graphene quantum dot (Cl-GQD), were synthesized using bottom-up techniques to produce the H- analogs of the compounds followed by edge-chlorination to achieve soluble products. The absorption spectra of Cl-GQD and Cl-GNR appear in the UV-vis range with lowest-energy peaks at 375 and 600 nm, respectively. The excitons in Cl-GNR were found to exhibit charge-transfer character with the bpm edges serving as electron acceptors. DFT calculations indicate that the excitons are relatively localized, spreading over at most two monomeric units of the GNR. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows that singlet excited states of Cl-GQD and Cl-GNR undergo intersystem crossing with ~300 ps lifetime to form triplet states that last for 15.7 μs (Cl-GQD) and 106 μs (Cl-GNR). These properties, combined with the ability of the bpm sites to coordinate transition metals, make Cl-GNRs promising light-harvesting motifs for photocatalytic applications.

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

Strategic Lifetime Tuning of Visible-Light Absorbing Two-Coordinate Metal Complexes

This paper highlights how the singlet and triplet amide ligand centered ( 1,3 LC) and interligand charge transfer ( 1,3 ICT) states in (carbene)M(amide), M = Cu, Au (cMa) complexes influence the excited state properties when the triplet states are close in energy. To that end we prepared a set of five cMa complexes, in which the amide (i.e., 5H-benzo[b]carbazole, H-BnCz) was kept constant giving a 3 LC energy of ca. 2.15 eV. Four different carbene ligands were selected to develop M BnCz Carbene complexes which have energies for the ICT state that vary from being either markedly higher, lower, or close to the energy of the 3 LC state on the amide ligand. Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic studies show that the emission spectrum of the cMa complex mirrors the phosphorescence of the parent H-BnCz amide and has a luminescence decay lifetime in the millisecond regime when the lowest energy excited state is 3 LC. When the lowest energy states are 1,3 ICT in nature, the emission band is broad and featureless, giving a lifetime in the nanosecond regime. As the 3 LC and 1,3 ICT states have comparable energies, dynamic equilibrium between the states is observed with the luminescence consisting of a mixture of 3 LC and 1,3 ICT transitions. The measured lifetime of this equilibrating system is between 45 and 350 μs depending on the solvent, for both copper- and gold-based cMa complexes. Furthermore, these complexes demonstrate the ability to “park” the excited state population in the 3 LC state, allowing it to act as a reservoir for thermally activated emission, while still maintaining a very rapid equilibrium between LC and ICT states.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Photophysics of Riboflavin: Consequences on the ROS Generation

Metal-enhanced singlet oxygen, O 2 ( 1 Δg), generation is a desirable effect to augment the amount of O 2 ( 1 Δg) produced upon irradiation of organic sensitizers. Herein, we employed pectin for stabilizing 9 nm silver nanoparticles and showed that these particles are able to form a ground-sate complex with riboflavin (Rf). Pump–probe transient absorption spectroscopy and laser flash-photolysis experiments proved that the excited state of the riboflavin–Ag complex feeds the triplet state of the sensitizer, which results in an enhanced intersystem crossing process. We note the higher amounts of riboflavin triplet states formed in the presence of the nanoparticles result in higher yields of singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide produced in the irradiated colloidal suspensions. As a result, not only the effect on singlet oxygen but also the effect on superoxide radical ion should contribute to a better performance of Riboflavin as a sensitizer applied to the photodynamic therapy of tumors.

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

Local Excitations of a Charged Nitrogen Vacancy in Diamond with Multireference Density Matrix Embedding Theory

Here, we investigate the negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond using periodic density matrix embedding theory (pDMET). To describe the strongly correlated excited states of this system, the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) followed by n-electron valence state second-order perturbation theory (NEVPT2) was used as the impurity solver. Since the NEVPT2-DMET energies show a linear dependence on the inverse of the size of the embedding subspace, we performed an extrapolation of the excitation energies to the nonembedding limit using a linear regression. The extrapolated NEVPT2-DMET first triplet–triplet excitation energy is 2.31 eV and that for the optically inactive singlet–singlet transition is 1.02 eV, both in agreement with the experimentally observed vertical excitation energies of ∼2.18 eV and ∼1.26 eV, respectively. This is the first application of pDMET to a charged periodic system and the first investigation of the NV – defect using NEVPT2 for periodic supercell models.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Optical Properties of Neutral F Centers in Bulk MgO with Density Matrix Embedding

The optical spectra of neutral oxygen vacancies (F 0 centers) in the bulk MgO lattice are investigated using density matrix embedding theory. The impurity Hamiltonian is solved with the complete active space self-consistent field and second-order n-electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT2-DMET) multireference methods. Here, to estimate defect-localized vertical excitation energies at the nonembedding and thermodynamic limits, a double extrapolation scheme is employed. The extrapolated NEVPT2-DMET vertical excitation energy value of 5.24 eV agrees well with the experimental absorption maxima at 5.03 eV, whereas the excitation energy value of 2.89 eV at the relaxed triplet defect-localized state geometry overestimates the experimental emission at 2.4 eV by only nearly 0.5 eV, indicating the involvement of the triplet–singlet decay pathway.

embedding↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electronic Tuning of Photoexcited Dynamics in Heteroleptic Cu(I) Complex Photosensitizers

Photoexcited dynamics of heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes as noble-metal-free photosensitizers are closely intertwined with the nature of their ligands. By utilizing ultrafast optical and X-ray transient absorption spectroscopies, we characterized a new set of heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes [Cu(PPh 3 )( 2 )(BPy R )] + (R = CH 3 , H, Br to COOCH 3 ), with an increase in the electron-withdrawing ability of the functional group (R). Here we found that after the transient photooxidation of Cu(I) to Cu(II), the increasing electron-withdrawing ability of R barely affects the internal conversion (IC) (e.g., Jahn-taller (JT) distortion) between singlet MLCT states. However, it does accelerate the dynamics of intersystem crossing (ISC) between singlet and triplet MLCT states and the subsequent decay from the triplet MLCT state to the ground state. The associated lifetime constants are reduced by up to 300%. Our understanding of the photoexcited dynamics in heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes through ligand electronic tuning provides valuable insight into the rational design of efficient Cu(I) complex photosensitizers.

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

Spin-Dependent Stereochemistry: A Nonadiabatic Quantum Dynamics Case Study of S + H 2 → SH + H Reaction

We study the spin-dependent stereodynamics of the S + H 2 → SH + H reaction by using full-dimensional quantum dynamics calculations with zero total nuclear angular momentum along the triplet 3 A" states and singlet 1 A' states. We find that the interplay between the electronic spin direction and the molecular geometry has a measurable influence on the singlet–triplet intersystem crossing reaction probabilities. Our results show that for some incident scattering angles in the body-fixed frame, the relative difference in intersystem crossing reaction probabilities (as determined between spin up and spin down initial states) can be as large as 15%. Furthermore, our findings are an ab initio demonstration of spin-dependent nonadiabatic dynamics, which we hope will shine light as far as understanding the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect.

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

Spin-Vibronic Effect in Photoinduced Electron Transfer

The spin-vibronic effect (SVE) accelerates quantum-mechanically forbidden electronic transitions, but experimental manifestations of this phenomenon remain limited. In this contribution, the role of SVE in photoinduced electron transfer (PET) dynamics is probed by coherent vibrational wavepacket (CVWP) motions in Pt­(II) dimer-naphthalene diimide donor–acceptor complexes. Metal–metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MMLCT) excitation of the donor triggers ballistic PET, driving the molecule away from equilibrium. The SVE then directs the PET trajectory from the 1 MMLCT excited state to an intermediate ligand-centered triplet state, modulating the CVWP dynamics along the reaction coordinates. Herzberg–Teller type oscillations indicate that the Pt–Pt stretching vibration, arising from the formation of the excited triplet intermediate, serves as the reaction coordinate for charge separation. Finally, our experimental findings advance the understanding of the interplay between electronic, vibrational, and spin degrees of freedom in ultrafast photoactivated processes.

Kim, Pyosang [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), A↗
DOE OSTI2026

Ligand Control of Ultrafast Hot-Carrier Cooling in CdSe Quantum Dots by a Coherent Nonadiabatic Mechanism

Using the results from global modeling of the broadband two-dimensional electronic spectrum and an analysis of the concurrent damping of excited-state vibronic coherences, we show herein that a coherent nonadiabatic mechanism converts the electronic excitation energy of the X3 (1P 3/2 –1P e ) exciton state to ligand vibrations on the <50 fs time scale in oleate- and hexadecylamine-capped CdSe quantum dots. A comparison of the rates for the two ligands suggests that this process is promoted by mid-frequency vibrations of the ligands due to modulation of their electron-donating tendency. An intramolecular vibrational redistribution process then follows on the ∼200 fs time scale with both ligands, which accompanies thermalization in the band-edge X1 (1S 3/2 –1S e ) state and dephasing of the spectator ligand vibrations. These findings suggest that charge-separated intermediates associated with photoinduced charge transfer or triplet–triplet excitation energy transfer will be produced with retention of phase coherence in the vibrations that modulate the charge-transfer character of surface-bound organic acceptors.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Intramolecular Noncovalent Interactions Facilitate Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF)

In the conventional molecular design of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) organic emitters, simultaneously achieving a fast rate of reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) from the triplet to the singlet manifold and a fast rate of radiative decay is a challenging task. A number of recent experimental data, however, point to TADF emitters with intramolecular π-π interactions as a potential pathway to overcome the issue. Here, we report a comprehensive investigation of TADF emitters with intramolecular π…π or lone-pair…π non-covalent interactions. We uncover the impact of those intramolecular non-covalent interactions on the TADF properties. In particular, we find that folded geometries in TADF molecules can trigger lone-pair…π interactions, introduce a n → π* character of the relevant transitions, enhance the singlet-triplet spin-orbit coupling, and ultimately greatly facilitate the RISC process. Furthermore, this work provides a robust foundation for the molecular design of a novel class of highly efficient TADF emitters in which intramolecular non-covalent interactions play a critical function.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Boost of the Bio-memristor Performance for Artificial Electronic Synapses by Surface Reconstruction

Biomaterial-based memristors (bio-memristors) are often adopted to emulate biological synapse functions and applied to construct neural computing networks in brain-inspired chip systems. However, the randomness of conductive filament formation in bio-memristors inhibits their switching performance by causing the dispersion of the device-switching parameters. In this case, a facile porous silk fibroin (p-SF) memristor was obtained through a protein surface reconstruction strategy, in which the size of the hole can be adjusted by the density of hybrid nanoseeds. Here, the porous SF memristors exhibit greatly enhanced electrical characteristics, including uniform I-V cycles, centralized distribution of the switching voltages, and both high and low resistances, compared to devices without pores. The results of three-dimensional (3D) simulations based on classical density functional theory (cDFT) suggest that the reconstructed pores in the SF layers guide the formation and fracture of Ag filaments under an electric field and enhance the overall conductivity by separating Ag + ion and electron diffusion pathways. Ag + ions are predicted to preferentially diffuse through pores, whereas electrons diffuse through the SF network. Interestingly, the device conductance can be bidirectionally modulated gradually by positive and negative voltages, can faithfully simulate short-term and long-term plasticity, and can even realize the triplet-spike-timing-dependent plasticity (triplet-STDP) rule, which can be used for pattern recognition in biological systems. The simulation results reveal that a memristor network of this type has an accuracy of ~95.78% in memory learning and the capability of pattern learning. This work provides a facile technology route to improve the performance of bionic-material memristors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

First-Principles Predictions of Out-of-Plane Group IV and V Dimers as High-Symmetry, High-Spin Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) has been recently found to host a variety of quantum point defects, which are promising candidates as single-photon sources for solid-state quantum nanophotonic applications. Most recently, optically addressable spin qubits in h-BN have been the focus of intensive research due to their unique potential in quantum computation, communication, and sensing. However, the number of high-symmetry, high-spin defects that are desirable for developing spin qubits in h-BN is highly limited. Here, we combine density functional theory (DFT) and quantum embedding theories to show that out-of-plane X N Y i dimer defects (X, Y = C, N, P, and Si) form a new class of stable C 3v spin-triplet defects in h-BN. We find that the dimer defects have a robust 3 A 2 ground state and 3 E excited state, both of which are isolated from the h-BN bulk states. We show that 1 E and 1 A shelving states exist and they are positioned between the 3 E and 3 A 2 states for all the dimer defects considered in this study. To support future experimental identification of the X N Y i dimer defects, we provide extensive characterization of the defects in terms of their spin and optical properties. We predict that the zero-phonon line of the spin-triplet X N Y i defects lies in the visible range (800 nm to 500 nm). We compute the zero-field splitting of the dimers’ spin to range from 1.79 GHz (Si N P i o ) to 29.5 GHz (C N N i o ). Furthermore, our results broaden the scope of high-spin defect candidates that would be useful for the development of spin-based solid-state quantum technologies in two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride.

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

Rapid Multiscale Computational Screening for OLED Host Materials

The design of new host materials for phosphorescent OLEDs is challenging because several physical property requirements must be met simultaneously. A triplet energy (E T ) higher than that of the chosen emitting dopant, appropriate HOMO/LUMO energy levels, good charge carrier transport, and high stability are all required. Here, computational methods were used to screen structures to find the most promising candidates for OLED hosts. The screening was carried out in three Tiers. The Tier 1 selection, based on Density Functional Theory calculations identified a set of eight molecular structures with E T > 2.9 eV, suitable for hosting blue phosphorescent dopants such as iridium(III)bis((4,6-di-fluorophenyl)-pyridinato-N,C2’)picolinate (FIrpic). Phenanthro[9,10 d]imidazole was chosen as the starting point for the Tier 2 selection. Thirty seven unique molecular structures were enumerated by isoelectronic nitrogen transmutation of up to two CH fragments of the phenanthrene. Three molecules, i.e. imidazo[4,5 f] phenanthrolines with nitrogens at the 1,10 , 3,8 and 4,7 positions, were selected for Tier 3, which involved the use of molecular dynamics simulations and electron coupling calculations to predict differences in charge transport between the three materials. The three were explored experimentally through synthesis and device fabrication. The singlet, triplet, and frontier orbital energies computed using single molecule DFT calculations (tiers 1 and 2) were consistent with the experimental values in fluid solution, and the multi scale modeling scheme (tier 3) correctly predicted the poor device performance of one material. Here, we conclude that screening host materials using only single molecule quantum mechanical data was not sufficient to predict whether a given material would make a good OLED host with certainty, however they can be used to screen out materials that are destined to fail due to low singlet/triplet energies or a poor match of the frontier orbital energies to the dopant or transport materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Molecular Diradical Spin Qubits in a Crystalline Host as a Platform for Quantum Sensing

Doping a luminescent tris(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)methyl diradical m (TTM) 2 into a host crystal of its diamagnetic precursor m (HTTM) 2 creates a molecular color center with enhanced optical-spin interface properties important for quantum sensing. Optical polarization of the |T 0 ⟩ sublevel of the diradical triplet ground state is achieved by spin-selective intersystem crossing from the |T + ⟩ and |T – ⟩ sublevels of the triplet excited state at ambient and cryogenic temperatures. Coherent spin control of m (TTM) 2 doped into m (HTTM) 2 using pulsed optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) spectroscopy results in a 10-fold improvement in ODMR contrast over that observed for randomly oriented m (TTM)2 using continuous-wave ODMR. The diradical doped crystal powders achieve spin coherence times of 2.8, 3.4, and 7.4 μs at 294, 85, and 5 K, respectively. The diradical photoluminescence is sensitive to weak applied magnetic fields independent of temperature, excitation wavelength, and dopant concentration, providing a promising pathway toward robust quantum sensing of anisotropic magnetic fields under ambient conditions.

crystal structure↗
DOE OSTI2014

Reversible Sigma C-C Bond Formation Between Phenanthroline Ligands Activated by (C5Me5)2Yb

The electronic structure and associated magnetic properties of the 1,10-phenanthroline adducts of Cp*2Yb are dramatically different from those of the 2,2?-bipyridine adducts. The monomeric phenanthroline adducts are ground state triplets that are based upon trivalent Yb(III), f13, and (phen ) that are only weakly exchange coupled, which is in contrast to the bipyridine adducts whose ground states are multiconfigurational, open-shell singlets in which ytterbium is intermediate valent ( J. Am. Chem. Soc 2009, 131, 6480; J. Am. Chem. Soc 2010, 132, 17537). The origin of these different physical properties is traced to the number and symmetry of the LUMO and LUMO+1 of the heterocyclic diimine ligands. The bipy has only one 1 orbital of b1 symmetry of accessible energy, but phen has two orbitals of b1 and a2 symmetry that are energetically accessible. The carbon p-orbitals have different nodal properties and coefficients and their energies, and therefore their populations change depending on the position and number of methyl substitutions on the ring. A chemical ramification of the change in electronic structure is that Cp 2Yb(phen) is a dimer when crystallized from toluene solution, but a monomer when sublimed at 180190 C. When 3,8-Me2phenanthroline is used, the adduct Cp*2Yb(3,8-Me2phen) exists in the solution in a dimer monomer equilibrium in which G is near zero. The adducts with 3-Me, 4-Me, 5-Me, 3,8-Me2, and 5,6-Me2-phenanthroline are isolated and characterized by solid state X-ray crystallography, magnetic susceptibility and LIII-edge XANES spectroscopy as a function of temperature and variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy.

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

The Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectrum of Cyclopropane-1,2,3-Trione Radical Anion, (CO) 3 •– — A Joint Experimental and Computational Study

Negative Ion Photoelectron (NIPE) spectra of the radical anion of cyclopropane-1,2,3-trione, (CO)3•-, have been obtained at 20 K, using both 355 and 266 nm lasers for electron photodetachment. The spectra show broadened bands, due to the short lifetimes of both the singlet and triplet states of (CO)3. The smaller intensity of the band with the lower electron binding energy suggests that the singlet is the ground state of (CO)3. From the NIPE spectra, the electron affinity (EA) and the singlet-triplet energy gap of (CO)3 are estimated to be, respectively, EA = 3.1 ± 0.1 eV and ΔEST = -14 ± 3 kcal/mol. High-level, (U)CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ//(U)CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ, calcu-lations give EA = 3.04 eV for the 1A1´ ground state of (CO)3 and ΔEST = -13.8 kcal/mol for the energy gap between the 1A1´ and 3A2 states, in excellent agreement with values from the NIPE spectra. In addition, simulations of the vibrational structures for formation of these states of (CO)3 from the 2A2'' state of (CO)3•- provide a good fit to the shapes of broad bands in the 266 nm NIPE spectrum. The NIPE spectrum of (CO)3•- and the analysis of the spectrum by high-quality electronic structure calculations demonstrate that NIPES can not only access and provide information about transition structures, but NIPES can also access and provide information about hilltops on potential energy surfaces.

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

Thermally Activated Delayed Photoluminescence: Deterministic Control of Excited-State Decay

Thermally activated photophysical processes are ubiquitous in numerous organic and metal-organic molecules, leading to chromophores with excited state properties that can be considered an equilibrium mixture of the available low-lying states. Relative populations of the equilibrated states are governed by temperature. Such molecules have been devised as high quantum yield emitters in modern organic light-emitting diode technology and for deterministic excited state lifetime control to enhance chemical reactivity in solar energy conversion and photocatalytic schemes. This recent discovery of thermally activated photophysics at CdSe nanocrystal-molecule interfaces enables a new paradigm wherein molecule-quantum dot constructs are used to systematically generate material with predetermined photophysical response and excited state properties. Semiconductor nanomaterials feature size-tunable energy level engineering, which considerably expands the purview of thermally activated photophysics beyond what is possible using only molecules. This Perspective is intended to provide a non-exhaustive overview of the advances that led to the integration of semiconductor quantum dots in thermally activated delayed photoluminescence (TADPL) schemes and to identify important challenges moving into the future. The initial establishment of excited state lifetime extension utilizing triplet-triplet excited-state equilibria is detailed. Next, advances involving the rational design of molecules composed of both metal-containing and organic-based chromophores that produce the desired TADPL are described. Lastly, the recent introduction of semiconductor nanomaterials into hybrid TADPL constructs is discussed, paving the way towards the realization of fine-tuned deterministic control of excited state decay. It is envisioned that libraries of synthetically facile composites will be broadly deployed as photosensitizers and light emitters for numerous synthetic and optoelectronic applications in the near future.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗