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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 1,027 records · Page 57

Combining CO 2 reduction with propane oxidative dehydrogenation over bimetallic catalysts

In this paper, the inherent variability and insufficiencies in the co-production of propylene from steam crackers has raised concerns regarding the global propylene production gap and has directed industry to develop more on-purpose propylene technologies. The oxidative dehydrogenation of propane by CO 2 (CO 2 -ODHP) can potentially fill this gap while consuming a greenhouse gas. Non-precious FeNi and precious NiPt catalysts supported on CeO 2 have been identified as promising catalysts for CO 2 -ODHP and dry reforming, respectively, in flow reactor studies conducted at 823 K. In-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements revealed the oxidation states of metals under reaction conditions and density functional theory calculations were utilized to identify the most favorable reaction pathways over the two types of catalysts.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Emergent properties at oxide interfaces controlled by ferroelectric polarization

Abstract Ferroelectric materials are characterized by the spontaneous polarization switchable by the applied fields, which can act as a “gate” to control various properties of ferroelectric/insulator interfaces. Here we review the recent studies on the modulation of oxide hetero-/homo-interfaces by ferroelectric polarization. We discuss the potential applications of recently developed four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy and how it can provide insights into the fundamental understanding of ferroelectric polarization-induced phenomena and stimulate future computational studies. Finally, we give the outlook for the potentials, the challenges, and the opportunities for the contribution of materials computation to future progress in the area.

Chemistry↗

Nucleation of dislocations and their dynamics in layered oxide cathode materials during battery charging

Lithium-rich layered oxides (LRLO) are among the leading candidates for the next-generation cathode material for energy storage, delivering 50% excess capacity over commercially used compounds. Despite excellent prospects, voltage fade has prevented effective use of the excess capacity, and a major challenge has been a lack of understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the voltage fade. Here, using operando three-dimensional Bragg coherent diffractive imaging, we directly observe the nucleation of a mobile dislocation network in LRLO nanoparticles. The dislocations form more readily in LRLO as compared with a classical layered oxide, suggesting a link between the defects and voltage fade. We show microscopically how the formation of partial dislocations contributes to the voltage fade. The insights allow us to design and demonstrate an effective method to recover the original high-voltage functionality. Furthermore, our findings reveal that the voltage fade in LRLO is reversible and call for new paradigms for improved design of oxygen-redox active materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

A single-Pt-atom-on-Ru-nanoparticle electrocatalyst for CO-resilient methanol oxidation

Single Pt atom catalysts are key targets because a high exposure of Pt substantially enhances electrocatalytic activity. In addition, PtRu alloy nanoparticles are the most active catalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. To combine the exceptional activity of single Pt atom catalysts with an active Ru support we must overcome the synthetic challenge of forming single Pt atoms on noble metal nanoparticles. In this report we demonstrate a process that grows and spreads Pt islands on Ru branched nanoparticles to create single-Pt-atom-on-Ru catalysts. By following the spreading process by in situ TEM, we found that the formation of a stable single atom structure is thermodynamically driven by the formation of strong Pt–Ru bonds and the lowering of the surface energy of the Pt islands. The stability of the single-Pt-atom-on-Ru structure and its resilience to CO poisoning result in a high current density and mass activity for the methanol oxidation reaction over time.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Stabilizing gold clusters by heterostructured transition-metal oxide–mesoporous silica supports for enhanced catalytic activities for CO oxidation

We report that a strategy for stabilizing ultrasmall gold clusters under thermal treatment has been developed. The essence of this methodology lies in construction of heterostructured transition-metal oxide– mesoporous silica supports. Lastly, the supported clusters have been demonstrated to be sintering resistant and highly active for catalytic CO oxidation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Combined Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Processes Determining Cathode Performance in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are under intensive investigation since the 1980’s as these devices open the way for ecologically clean direct conversion of the chemical energy into electricity, avoiding the efficiency limitation by Carnot’s cycle for thermochemical conversion. However, the practical development of SOFC faces a number of unresolved fundamental problems, in particular concerning the kinetics of the electrode reactions, especially oxygen reduction reaction. We review recent experimental and theoretical achievements in the current understanding of the cathode performance by exploring and comparing mostly three materials: (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM), (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (LSCF) and (Ba,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (BSCF). Special attention is paid to a critical evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of BSCF, which shows the best cathode kinetics known so far for oxides. We demonstrate that it is the combined experimental and theoretical analysis of all major elementary steps of the oxygen reduction reaction which allows us to predict the rate determining steps for a given material under specific operational conditions and thus control and improve SOFC performance.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Mechanism of the hydroxyl radical oxidation of methacryloyl peroxynitrate (MPAN) and its pathway toward secondary organic aerosol formation in the atmosphere

Methacryloyl peroxynitrate (MPAN), the acyl peroxynitrate of methacrolein, has been suggested to be an important secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursor from isoprene oxidation. Yet, the mechanism by which MPAN produces SOA through reaction with the hydroxyl radical (OH) is unclear. We systematically evaluate three proposed mechanisms in controlled chamber experiments and provide the first experimental support for the theoretically-predicted lactone formation pathway from the MPAN + OH reaction, producing hydroxymethyl-methyl-α-lactone (HMML). The decomposition of the MPAN–OH adduct yields HMML + NO 3 (~75%) and hydroxyacetone + CO + NO 3 (~25%), out-competing its reaction with atmospheric oxygen. The production of other proposed SOA precursors, e.g., methacrylic acid epoxide (MAE), from MPAN and methacrolein are negligible (<2%). Furthermore, we show that the beta-alkenyl moiety of MPAN is critical for lactone formation. Alkyl radicals formed cold via H-abstraction by OH do not decompose to HMML, even if they are structurally identical to the MPAN–OH adduct. The SOA formation from HMML, from polyaddition of the lactone to organic compounds at the particle interface or in the condensed phase, is close to unity under dry conditions. However, the SOA yield is sensitive to particle liquid water and solvated ions. In hydrated inorganic particles, HMML reacts primarily with H 2 O to produce the monomeric 2-methylglyceric acid (2MGA) or with aqueous sulfate and nitrate to produce the associated organosulfate and organonitrate, respectively. 2MGA, a tracer for isoprene SOA, is semivolatile and its accommodation in aerosol water decreases with decreasing pH. Conditions that enhance the production of neutral 2MGA suppress SOA mass from the HMML channel. In conclusion, considering the liquid water content and pH ranges of ambient particles, 2MGA will exist largely as a gaseous compound in some parts of the atmosphere.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Decoration of the layered manganese oxide birnessite with Mn( II / III ) gives a new water oxidation catalyst with fifty-fold turnover number enhancement

The role of the manganese average oxidation state (AOS) in water oxidation catalysis by birnessite was investigated. In this work, low AOS samples were most active, generating O 2 immediately. Samples with a relatively high AOS showed an initial induction period and decreased turnover. Mn( II - and III ) -enriched samples gave a 10–50 fold enhancement in turnover number.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hydrogen adsorption on two catalysts for the ortho- to parahydrogen conversion: Cr-doped silica and ferric oxide gel

Molecular hydrogen exists in two spin-rotation coupled states: parahydrogen and orthohydrogen. Due to the variation of energy with rotational level, the occupation of ortho- and parahydrogen states is temperature dependent, with parahydrogen being the dominant species at low temperatures. Here, the equilibrium at 20 K (99.8% parahydrogen) can be reached by natural conversion only after a lengthy process. With the use of a suitable catalyst, this process can be shortened significantly. Two types of commercial catalysts currently being used for ortho- to parahydrogen conversion are: iron(III) oxide (Fe 2 O 3 , IONEX®), and chromium(II) oxide doped silica catalyst (CrO·SiO 2 , OXISORB®). We investigate the interaction of ortho- and parahydrogen with the surfaces of these ortho–para conversion catalysts using neutron vibrational spectroscopy. The catalytic surfaces have been characterized using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray/neutron pair distribution function measurements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗