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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 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Maxwell–Stefan diffusion and dynamical correlation in molten LiF-KF: A molecular dynamics study

In this work our main objective is to compute Dynamical correlations, Onsager coefficients and Maxwell-Stefan (MS) diffusivities for molten salt LiF-KF mixture at various thermodynamic states through Green–Kubo formalism for the first time. The equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed using BHM potential for LiF–KF mixture. The velocity autocorrelations functions involving Li ions reflect the endurance of cage dynamics or backscattering with temperature. The magnitude of Onsager coefficients for all pairs increases with increase in temperature. Interestingly most of the Onsager coefficients has almost maximum magnitude at the eutectic composition indicating the most dynamic character of the eutectic mixture. MS diffusivity hence diffusion for all ion pairs increases in the system with increasing temperature. Smooth variation of the diffusivity values denies any network formation in the mixture. Also, the striking feature is the noticeable concentration dependence of MS diffusivity between cation-cation pair, Đ{sub Li-K} which remains negative for most of the concentration range but changes sign to become positive for higher LiF concentration. The negative MS diffusivity is acceptable as it satisfies the non-negative entropy constraint governed by 2{sup nd} law of thermodynamics. This high diffusivity also vouches the candidature of molten salt as a coolant.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

High-temperature active oxidation of nanocrystalline silicon-carbide: A reactive force-field molecular dynamics study

Flexible woven SiC ceramics are prone to accelerated fiber embrittlement under high temperature oxidation in dynamic oxygen environments. The nanocrystalline structure of the constituent fibers impacts the reaction kinetics and phase transformations during active oxidation. However, fundamental understanding and quantification of grain boundary effects on oxidation behavior in nanocrystalline SiC remain elusive when temperatures exceed 1500 K. This study deploys large-scale molecular dynamics simulations with a reactive force-field to elucidate the complex roles of atomic oxygen reservoir conditions and grain size on oxidation kinetics and the nature of oxides produced in both monocrystalline and nanocrystalline 3C-SiC between 1100 K and 2000 K. The simulations with dynamically replenished oxygen provide good agreement with oxidation kinetics and activation energies for the monocrystalline Si(100) and C(100) orientations published in the available literature. This study reveals that, by contrast, nanocrystalline SiC samples exhibit two distinct oxidation kinetics with a transition point at 1500 K due to surface melting, which is supported by experimental evidence. The introduction of a grain-boundary network produces a two-fold decrease in oxidation activation energies compared to monocrystalline SiC below 1500 K. Above 1500 K, however, the activation energies rise substantially due to the formation of a liquid Si phase at the SiC/Si oxide interface. Further, it is shown that the stability of the interfacial liquid phase is promoted by incoherent grain boundaries in the crystalline SiC. These findings are important for the deployment of nanocrystalline SiC fibers in advanced thermal protection systems for high-temperature applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1974

Centaur feedline dynamics study using power spectral methods

Tests were conducted to determine the dynamic characteristics of the Centaur/RL-10 oxygen and hydrogen feedlines. The fundamental-mode resonant frequencies were determined by applying power spectral methods to noise-generated data from hot firings of the RL-10 engine. The effect of net positive suction pressure of the main feed pumps on resonant frequency characteristics was determined to be a straight-line relation. Power spectral methods were also used to determine the dynamic characteristics of the boost pumps.

Lorenzo, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Molecular Dynamics study of Pb overlayer on Cu(100)

Isothermal-isobaric Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation of a submonolayer Pb film in c(2x2) ordered structure adsorbed on a Cu(100) substrate showed retention of order to high T. The Embedded Atom Method (EAM) calculated the energy of atoms of overlayer and substrate. The time-averaged squared modulus of the two dimensional structure factor for the Pb overlayer measured the order of the overlayer. The results are for increasing T only, and require verification by simulated cooling.

Karimi, M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ion dynamics study of W6+ doped La2Mo2O9 as SOFC electrolyte

Highlights: • Stabilization of high temperature cubic phase of La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9} at room temperature by W doping. • Intra-granular pore formation in the material under reducive atmosphere. • X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of W doped La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9} both in air and reducive atmosphere. • Partial stabilization of Mo{sup 6+} state in La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9} upon W doping in reducive atmosphere. • Ion dynamics and conductivity studies for oxide ion transport. - Abstract: The structural stability of La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2-x}W{sub x}O{sub 9} is well reported by many researchers but its studies on photoelectron spectroscopy, structural behaviour in Ar-H{sub 2} (reducing) atmosphere and ion dynamics are rarely reported. Here we report for the first time, to the best of authors’ knowledge, the above studies for W-doped La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9} compounds. La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9} doped with W{sup 6+} over the range of 0.25 ≤ x ≤ 1.75 at Mo{sup 6+} site is synthesised by solid-state reaction route. The x-ray diffraction studies show that at x = 0.5 the lattice parameter of the unit cell starts decreasing as a consequence of decrease in bond length between various elements present in the compound. The XPS analysis shows that Mo in La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2-x}W{sub x}O{sub 9} is very much sensitive to reduction. The temperature dependent a.c. impedance spectroscopy study of La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2-0.5}W{sub 0.5}O{sub 9} has been reported over the temperature range up to 653 K.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Charged nanoparticle attraction in multivalent salt solution: A classical-fluids density functional theory and molecular dynamics study

Here, negatively charged nanoparticles (NPs) in 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 electrolyte solutions are studied in a primitive ion model using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and classical density functional theory (DFT). We determine the conditions for attractive interactions between the like-charged NPs. Ion density profiles and NP–NP interaction free energies are compared between the two methods and are found to be in qualitative agreement. The NP interaction free energy is purely repulsive for monovalent counterions, but can be attractive for divalent and trivalent counterions. Using DFT, the NP interaction free energy for different NP diameters and charges is calculated. The depth and location of the minimum in the interaction depend strongly on the NPs’ charge. For certain parameters, the depth of the attractive well can reach 8–10 k B T, indicating that kinetic arrest and aggregation of the NPs due to electrostatic interactions is possible. Rich behavior arises from the geometric constraints of counterion packing at the NP surface. Layering of counterions around the NPs is observed and, as secondary counterion layers form the minimum of the NP–NP interaction free energy shifts to larger separation, and the depth of the free energy minimum varies dramatically. We find that attractive interactions occur with and without NP overcharging.

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

Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics Study of the Relaxation Pathways of Photoexcited Cyclooctatetraene

In the current study, we present nonadiabatic (NAMD) and adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations of the transition-state dynamics of photoexcited cyclooctatetraene (COT). The equilibrium-state structure and absorption spectra are analyzed using the semiempirical Austin Model 1 potential. The NAMD simulations are obtained by a surface-hopping algorithm. We analyzed in detail an active excited to ground state relaxation pathway accompanied by an S 2 /S 3 (D 2d ) → S 1 (D 8h ) → S o (D 4h ) → S o (D 2d ) double-bond shifting mechanism. The simulated excitation lifetime is in good agreement with experiment. The first excited singlet state S1 plays a crucial role in the photochemistry. Here, the obtained critical molecular conformations, energy barrier, and transition-state lifetime results will provide a basis for further investigations of the bond-order inversion and photoswitching process of COT.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2017

Molecular Dynamics Study of CO 2 and H 2 O Intercalation in Smectite Clays: Effect of Temperature and Pressure on Interlayer Structure and Dynamics in Hectorite

Grand Canonical Molecular Dynamics (GCMD) simulations were performed to investigate the intercalation of CO 2 and H 2 O molecules in the interlayers of the smectite clay, Na-hectorite, at temperatures and pressures relevant to petroleum reservoir and geological carbon sequestration conditions and in equilibrium with H 2 O-saturated CO 2 . The computed adsorption isotherms indicate that CO 2 molecules enter the interlayer space of Na-hectorite only when it is hydrated with approximately three H 2 O molecules per unit cell. The computed immersion energies show that the bilayer hydrate structure (2WL) contains less CO 2 than the monolayer structure (1WL) but that the 2WL hydrate is the most thermodynamically stable state, consistent with experimental results for a similar Na-montmorillonite smectite. Under all T and P conditions examined (323–368 K and 90–150 bar), the CO 2 molecules are adsorbed at the midplane of clay interlayers for the 1WL structure and closer to one of the basal surfaces for the 2WL structure. Interlayer CO 2 molecules are dynamically less restricted in the 2WL structures. The CO 2 molecules are preferentially located near basal surface oxygen atoms and H 2 O molecules rather than in coordination with Na+ ions. Accounting for the orientation and flexibility of the structural -OH groups of the clay layer has a significant effect on the details of the computed structure and dynamics of H 2 O and CO 2 molecules but does not affect the overall trends with changing basal spacing or the principal structural and dynamical conclusions. Temperature and pressure in the ranges examined have little effect on the principal structural and energetic conclusions, but the rates of dynamical processes increase with increasing temperature, as expected.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1988

Molecular dynamics study of ion capture from water by a model ionophore, tetraprotonated cryptand SC24

The molecular dynamics of chloride capture from water by the tetraprotonated cryptand SC24 has been studied for the cases of 19 distances between the criptand and the chloride. The chloride capture is found to be characterized by a rapid cooperative change in the conformation of the cryptand when the Cl(-) begins to enter the ligand and just as it encounters the energy barrier. The conformational transition is associated with a shift of three N-H bonds from the pure endo orientation, such that they point toward the chloride.

Owenson, Brian↗
DOE OSTI2023

Role of Surface Features on the Initial Dissolution of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 Perovskite in Liquid Water: An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study

In this study, the degradation of CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 (MAPbI 3 ) hybrid organic inorganic perovskite (HOIP) by water has been the major issue hampering its use in commercial perovskites solar cells (PSCs) as MAPbI 3 HOIP have been known to easily degrade in the presence of water molecules. However, even though there have been numerous studies investigating this phenomenon, there is still no consensus on the mechanisms of initial stages of dissolution. Here, we attempt to consolidate differing mechanistic interpretations previously reported in the literature through the use of the first-principles constrained ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) to study the mechanisms, kinetics, and thermodynamics that accompany the degradation of MAPbI 3 HOIP in liquid water. We consider not only the dissolution of the species found on the pristine MAPbI 3 HOIP surfaces, but also the dissolution from defect sites to imitate the successive degradation steps, and propose a sequence of events in the initial phase of MAPbI 3 HOIP dissolution. By comparing the dissolution free energy barrier between surface species of different surficial types, we find that the dominant dissolution mechanisms of surface species varies widely based on the specific surface features adjacent to the dissolving ion. The high sensitivity of dissolution mechanism to surface features has contributed to the many dissolution mechanisms proposed in the literature. In contrast, the dissolution free energy barriers are mainly determined by the dissolving species rather than the type of surfaces, and the type of surfaces the ions are dissolving from are inconsequential toward the dissolution free energy barrier. However, the presence of surface defects such as vacancy sites are found to significantly lower the dissolution free energy barriers. Based on the estimated dissolution free energy barriers from different types of surfaces that we investigated in this study, we proposed that the dissolution of MAPbI 3 HOIP in liquid water originates from surface defect sites that propagate laterally along the surface layer of the MAPbI 3 HOIP crystal.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Isotope effect on hydrated electron relaxation dynamics studied with time-resolved liquid jet photoelectron spectroscopy

The excited state relaxation dynamics of the solvated electron in H{sub 2}O and D{sub 2}O are investigated using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy in a liquid microjet. The data show that the initial excited state decays on a time scale of 75 ± 12 fs in H{sub 2}O and 102 ± 8 fs in D{sub 2}O, followed by slower relaxation on time scales of 400 ± 70 fs and 390 ± 70 fs that are isotopically invariant within the precision of our measurements. Based on the time evolution of the transient signals, the faster and slower time constants are assigned to p → s internal conversion (IC) of the hydrated electron and relaxation on the ground electronic state, respectively. This assignment is consistent with the non-adiabatic mechanism for relaxation of the hydrated electron and yields an isotope effect of 1.4 ± 0.2 for IC of the hydrated electron.

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

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics studies of thermal diffusion of hydrogen isotopes in low concentration zirconium hydrides

Tritium permeability in zirconium-based tritium getter critically impacts tritium storage and environmental safety during operation of tritium-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs). Previous experiments indicated that during irradiation operation, the hydrogen equilibrium pressured is increased. Further experimental and modeling studies suggested that the enhanced tritium release observed for reactor scale assemblies might be related to a thermal diffusion known as the Soret effect. A direct measurement of the Soret factor, however, has not been performed. To improve TPBAR and other nuclear applications, here we have applied two non-equilibrium molecular dynamics methods to study thermal diffusion of hydrogen isotopes in low-concentration zirconium hydrides. One of the methods produces sufficiently converged results to distinguish crystal orientation, isotope type, and concentration effects. In conclusion, with this method, crystal orientation, isotope type, and concentration effects are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Role of dislocations on martensitic transformation temperatures and microstructure: A molecular dynamics study

Microstructure and defects strongly affect martensitic transformations in metallic alloys. Significant progress has been made in understanding the atomic-level processes that control the role of grain boundaries and precipitates in these solid-to-solid phase transformations. Yet, the role of dislocations and their structures on martensitic transformation temperature and the resulting microstructure remains unclear. Therefore, we used large-scale molecular dynamics simulations to study the forward and reverse transformation of a martensitic material modeled after Ni63Al37 under cyclic thermal loading. The simulations reveal that dislocations in the austenite phase act as one-dimensional seeds for the martensite phase, which is present at temperatures significantly above the martensite start value. We find a reduction in the dislocation density during cyclic thermal loading, which results in the increase in martensite and austenite transition temperatures, in agreement with experiments. Importantly, we extracted a critical martensitic nuclei size for developing stable domains and found that relatively low dislocation densities are needed to grow independent martensitic variants resulting in a multi-domain structure.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ab initio and force field molecular dynamics study of bulk organophosphorus and organochlorine liquid structures

Here, we performed ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations to benchmark bulk liquid structures and to evaluate results from all-atom force field molecular dynamics (FFMD) simulations with the generalized Amber force field (GAFF) for organophosphorus (OP) and organochlorine (OC) compounds. Our work also addresses the current and important topic of force field validation, applied here to a set of nonaqueous organic liquids. Our approach differs from standard treatments, which validate force fields based on thermodynamic data. Utilizing radial distribution functions (RDFs), our results show that GAFF reproduces the AIMD-predicted asymmetric liquid structures moderately well for OP compounds that contain bulky alkyl groups. Among the OCs, RDFs obtained from FFMD overlap well with AIMD results, with some offsets in position and peak structuring. However, re-parameterization of GAFF for some OCs is needed to reproduce fully the liquid structures predicted by AIMD. The offsets between AIMD and FFMD peak positions suggest inconsistencies in the developed force fields, but, in general, GAFF is able to capture short-ranged and long-ranged interactions of OPs and OCs observed in AIMD. Along with the local coordination structure, we also compared enthalpies of vaporization. Overall, calculated bulk properties from FFMD compared reasonably well with experimental values, suggesting that small improvements within the FF should focus on parameters that adjust the bulk liquid structures of these compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Molecular dynamics study of silicon atomic layer etching by chlorine gas and argon ions

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) is used to simulate atomic layer etching processes of silicon by alternating exposure to chlorine gas and argon ions. In order to validate our model, a rigorous comparison is done with ion beam experiments found in the literature [Park et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 44, 389 (2005)]. Here it is shown that the etch per cycle (EPC) as a function of argon ion energy from simulations is in quantitative agreement with experimental results if the correct argon ion fluence is used in the simulations. The EPC as a function of ion irradiation time and amount of chlorine exposure also show good agreement with the experiment. The MD simulations also show the formation of an amorphous silicon region with chlorine atoms mixed uniformly throughout following ion bombardment. Finally, the etch products during the ion irradiation step are analyzed and discussed.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Design and Beam Dynamics Studies of a Multi-Ion Linac Injector for the JLEIC Ion Complex

The electron-ion collider (JLEIC) being proposed at JLab requires a new ion accelerator complex which includes a linac capable of delivering any ion beam from hydrogen to lead to the booster. We are currently developing a linac which consists of several ion sources, a normal conducting (NC) front end, up to 5 MeV/u, and a SC section for energies > 5 MeV/u. This design work is focused on the beam dynamics and electrodynamics studies performed to design efficient and cost-effective accelerating structures for both the NC and SC sections of the linac. Currently, we are considering two separate RFQs for the heavy-ion and light-ion beams including polarized beams, and different types of NC accelerating structures downstream of the RFQ. Quarter-wave and half-wave resonators can be effectively used in the SC section.

Ostroumov, P. N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of the Reduction of Acetone by the Hydrated Electron

We have investigated the reaction dynamics of the reduction of acetone by the solvated electron in water using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations at 298 and 373 K. The rate constants derived from the simulations are consistent with experimental observations that the reaction has a low activation energy. Detailed analyses carried out to shed light on the mechanism of the reaction show that solvent reorganization plays a key role as a reaction coordinate, as expected from the Marcus electron transfer theory. Furthermore, constrained density functional theory calculations indicate that the electronic coupling is large, placing the reaction in the adiabatic limit. Indeed, the activation energies and rate constants of the simulations are in accordance with the predictions of adiabatic Marcus theory.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗