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At least 1,387 records · Page 77

Experimental observation of attosecond control over relativistic electron bunches with two-colour fields

Energy coupling during relativistically intense laser–matter interactions is encoded in the attosecond motion of strongly driven electrons at the pre-formed plasma–vacuum boundary. Studying and controlling this motion can reveal details about the microscopic processes that govern a vast array of light–matter interaction phenomena, including those at the forefront of extreme laser–plasma science such as laser-driven ion acceleration, bright attosecond pulse generation and efficient energy coupling for the generation and study of warm dense matter. Here in this paper, we experimentally demonstrate that by precisely adjusting the relative phase of an additional laser beam operating at the second harmonic of the driving laser it is possible to control the trajectories of relativistic electron bunches formed during the interaction with a solid target at the attosecond scale. Finally, we observe significant enhancements in the resulting high-harmonic yield, suggesting potential applications for sources of ultra-bright, extreme ultraviolet attosecond radiation to be used in atomic and molecular pump–probe experiments

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Geometrical-Based Generative Adversarial Network to Enhance Digital Rock Image Quality

X-ray microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) is a common tool for the study of porous media structures and properties. High-quality micro-CT data are required to accurately capture pore structures. Acquiring high-quality micro-CT data, however, is not always possible, owing to application limitations and experimental constraints. Therefore, we propose a geometrical-based generative adversarial network (GAN) to rapidly restore noisy micro-CT images to their clean counterparts. The training data and related ground-truth (GT) data are scanned for 7 min and 9.5 h, respectively. To evaluate the performance of the geometrical-based GAN, a 6003 voxel image that has never been used for training is reconstructed and compared with the corresponding GT image. Histogram matching and linear normalization are implemented to adjust the histogram of the reconstructed image to that of the GT image. A watershed-based segmentation method is then applied to delineate pore and solid phases. Lastly, we measure the Minkowski functionals and petrophysical properties, including absolute permeability, pore size distribution, drainage capillary pressure-saturation curve, and imbibition relative permeability, to estimate the physical accuracy of the denoised image. The results show that the proposed geometrical-based GAN can accurately restore noisy micro-CT data. By reducing the scanning time from 9.5 h to 7 min, the expenditure of collecting micro-CT can be decreased significantly. This is particularly important for applications where time-lapse images of a dynamic process are required, high-throughput imaging is necessary for real-time data analysis, or where the quantification of large sample volumes is required.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Laboratory Evaluation to Increase Effectiveness of Field-Scale Soil Flushing in the Hanford 100 Areas

This laboratory study was initiated to develop an improved technical understanding of the key controlling geochemical and physical processes of mobilizing residual Cr(VI) in Hanford sediments to provide increased effectiveness in soil flushing activities planned for Hanford 100 Areas. This was accomplished by (1) quantifying Cr mass, release rate, and surface phase changes as Cr is leached from different Hanford sediments; (2) maximizing Cr leaching during soil flushing by evaluating different leach solutions and leach strategies; and (3) minimizing leaching of remaining residual Cr after soil flushing ends. To quantify geochemical controls on Cr leaching from sediments, sequential liquid extractions were used to identify aqueous, adsorbed, and solid Cr surface phases (precipitates or Cr incorporated into other phases) before and after water-saturated and unsaturated leach experiments with pH 8 artificial groundwater and with other amendment solutions. Changes in the Cr release rate from sediments were also correlated to changes in Cr surface phases. During unsaturated infiltration, water advection occurs primarily through larger pores, with less movement through smaller grain layers leading to a slower release of Cr trapped in smaller pores next to smaller grains. To quantify these physical controls on Cr leaching from sediments, 10 ft high 1-D infiltration experiments were conducted at differing leach solution application rates, and Cr leaching during application and subsequent residual water flow was quantified. Qualitative 2-D experiments were also conducted to evaluate surfactant addition to increase flow in low-permeability zones. Cr-contaminated Hanford sediments from the 100-H, 100-K, 100-D, and 200 East Areas exhibited a wide variety of leach behavior from rapid release of a small amount of Cr to fast (i.e., minutes) and slow (i.e., hours or more) release of high Cr. Sediments with low labile Cr (< 0.2 µg/g) exhibited fast Cr release but less overall release, and most (>95%) leached from the sediments within a few pore volumes in water-saturated columns. With nearly no sorption of chromate, aqueous and sorbed Cr (as chromate) were released quickly from sediment within the first few pore volumes, resulting in high leach concentrations, fast initial Cr release rates, and changes in pre- and post-leach extractions. In contrast, sediments with high labile Cr (0.2 to 20 µg/g) exhibited a combination of fast and slow Cr release due to multiple Cr surface phases contributing to Cr release from the sediment at different rates with greater overall release. This resulted in elevated Cr effluent concentrations even after dozens of pore volumes were leached. In addition, the Cr release rate decreased with increasing time during leaching. A decrease in labile Cr (aqueous Cr, adsorbed Cr, pH 5 acetate dissolved precipitates) in post-leach extractions compared to pre-leach extractions showed initial aqueous and adsorbed Cr release, followed by dissolution of high-solubility precipitates such as CaCrO 4 (if present), then slow dissolution of calcite that may contain some chromate and possibly BaCrO 4 . The labile Cr in all sediments correlated well with the Cr release rate (r 2 = 0.81). Labile Cr also correlated well with the leached mass in water-saturated columns (r 2 = 0.98), and therefore can be used for prediction of potential removal with flushing applications.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Progress report on analytic and numerical studies of x-ray-induced impulse

In a variety of high-energy-density (HED) systems, x-rays of a given energy are used to generate shockwaves, bulk motion, and impulse in materials. As radiation energy is deposited within the material, the material is heated. The number of photons of a certain wavelength absorbed is determined by the spectral intensity of the radiation and the material’s opacity evaluated at that wavelength. This heating results in a pressure increase dictated by the material’s equation of state. Depending on the intensity of the absorbed radiation, it may also cause the material to change phase into a liquid, gas, or plasma. The increased pressure drives the heated surface layer to blow off, imparting impulse and sending a compressive wave into the bulk of the material. Additionally, the compression wave interacts with the solid boundary of the material, resulting in a tensile wave that may cause the material to spall. The impulse generated by the deposition of x-ray energy within the sample can be modeled using purely analytical methods, e.g. the Bethe, Bade, Averell, and Yost (BBAY) model. However, the blow-off process is rather complicated, and proper modeling efforts must account for material ejected by spallation, vaporization, jetting, and plasma ablation. For this reason, analytical models have an unclosed term describing the final energy of the blown-off material Ef(z). Prior modeling efforts have arbitrarily fixed this at some value or modeled it using a limiting set of thermodynamic assumptions. The work we are currently performing uses validated simulations using sophisticated photon transport, equation of state, and strength models/data to provide a fit for Ef(z) that is useful for predictive calculation of impulse. We will apply our methodology and show results for different materials and x-ray sources. This work is particularly useful for the design of experiments studying x-ray impulse generation. The present report is outlined as follows. Section 1.2 describes a series of HED experiments investigating x-ray-generated impulse in materials. Section 1.3 describes the computational approach we employ in this study, and presents validation results against the aforementioned experiments. Section 1.4 introduces analytical models for impulse generation, as well as our method for utilizing impulse from simulations to close the models. We discuss the concept of impulse-spectrum sensitivity, it’s application to uncertainty quantification, and derive a very useful analytical expression for it in 1.5. We then summarize recent progress in this project and discuss future work in section 1.6.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Estimation of Sorption Behavior of Europium(III) Using Biotite Flakes - 13272

The interaction of biotite and Eu(III) (europium (III)) was examined by using secondary ion-microprobe mass spectrometer (SIMS), fluorescence emission spectrum and decay behavior of fluorescence emission spectrum in addition to the time-changes of Eu(III) and potassium ions concentrations in a solution, using the flake form samples. The results of SIMS showed that the intensity of Eu was gradually decreasing with depth, while the intensity of Eu in the case shaken for 30 days exceeded that in the case for 1 day. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of Eu(III) and potassium ions in the flake of biotite suggested that Eu ions diffuse mainly from the edges of biotite flake, while Eu ions can slightly diffuse through some small cracks existing on the flake surface far from the edges. Besides, the elution amount of potassium from the biotite flakes into a solution was proportional to the sorption amount of Eu(III). The changes nearly revealed ion exchange between these ions, while muscovite flake sample did not show such ion exchange reaction. In addition, from the time-change of Eu(III) concentration, an apparent diffusion coefficient was estimated to be 8.0x10{sup -12} m{sup 2}/s, by using two-dimensional diffusion model coupled with a film between the solid phase and the liquid phase. Furthermore, the fluorescent intensity decreased with the shaking (contacting) time. This means that Eu(III) gradually diffuses into the inside of biotite edges of the biotite flakes, after the sorption of Eu(III) in the edges. This tendency was observed also in the powder samples. The observed fluorescence decay (at 592 nm in wave length) showed almost similar curve in any samples, indicating a certain sorption form of Eu(III) onto the edges of the biotite flakes. These results mentioned above suggest that the diffusion processes through internal layer in biotite mainly control the sorption behavior of multivalent ions. Such diffusion processes affect the retardation-effects on fracture surfaces in the rock matrix, depending on the fluid flow velocity of groundwater. That is, a more reliable model considering the mass transfer in the internal layer of biotite may be required to estimate the sorption behavior of RNs with biotite which controls the whole sorption behavior of granite. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Perovskite-Fullerene Hybrid Materials Eliminate Hysteresis In Planar Diodes

Solution-processed planar perovskite devices are highly desirable in a wide variety of optoelectronic applications; however, they are prone to hysteresis and current instabilities. Here we report the first perovskite–PCBM hybrid solid with significantly reduced hysteresis and recombination loss achieved in a single step. This new material displays an efficient electrically coupled microstructure: PCBM is homogeneously distributed throughout the film at perovskite grain boundaries. The PCBM passivates the key PbI3 antisite defects during the perovskite self-assembly, as revealed by theory and experiment. Photoluminescence transient spectroscopy proves that the PCBM phase promotes electron extraction. We showcase this mixed material in planar solar cells that feature low hysteresis and enhanced photovoltage. Using conductive AFM studies, we reveal the memristive properties of perovskite films. We close by positing that PCBM, by tying up both halide-rich antisites and unincorporated halides, reduces electric field-induced anion migration that may give rise to hysteresis and unstable diode behaviour.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Direct observation of active material interactions in flowable electrodes using X-ray tomography

Understanding electrical percolation and charging mechanisms in electrochemically active biphasic flowable electrodes is critical for enabling scalable deionization (desalination) and energy storage. Flowable electrodes are dynamic material systems which store charge (remove ions) and have the ability to flow. This flow process can induce structural changes in the underlying material arrangement and result in transient and non-uniform material properties. Carbon-based suspensions are opaque, multi-phase, and three dimensional, and thus prior characterization of the structural properties has been limited to indirect methods (electrochemical and rheology). Herein, a range of mixed electronic and ionically conducting suspensions are evaluated to determine their static structure, function, and properties, utilizing synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic microscopy (SRXTM). The high brilliance of the synchrotron light enables deconvolution of the liquid and solid phases. Reconstruction of the solid phase reveals agglomeration cluster volumes between 10 μm 3 and 10 3 μm 3 (1 pL) for low loaded samples (5 wt% carbon). The largest agglomeration cluster in the low loaded sample (5 wt%) occupied only 3% of the reconstructed volume whereas samples loaded with 10 wt% activated carbon demonstrated electrically connected clusters that occupied 22% of the imaged region. The highly loaded samples (20 wt%) demonstrated clusters of the order of a microliter, which accounted for 63–85% of the imaged region. These results demonstrate a capability for discerning the structural properties of biphasic systems utilizing SRXTM techniques, and show that discontinuity in the carbon particle networks induces decreased material utilization in low-loaded flowable electrodes.

catalysis (heterogeneous)↗

Pressure-induced excimer formation and fluorescence enhancement of an anthracene derivative

Excimer materials have been widely studied and have generated significant interest for their applications in many optoelectronic devices. However, a thorough investigation of the entire process involved in excimer formation, enhancement, and annihilation in solid materials is still lacking. Here we designed a crystal based on an anthracene derivative with dissociative, molecular-ordered dimer assembly, and studied the formation and evolution of an anthracene excimer as a function of pressure. During the initial stage of pressurization, the fluorescence intensity arising from anthracene monomers gradually decreases. Therefore, with continued compression, the two anthracene units become increasingly closer allowing strong intermolecular π–π interactions to develop that lead to excimer formation at 3.5 GPa, accompanied with a phase transition. The fluorescence intensity then keeps increasing with pressure and reaches its maximum at 5.6 GPa due to the strengthening of the excimer and the increased structural defects. Meanwhile the fluorescence color shows a continuous redshift, which initially results from conformation planarization and then excimer evolution. After releasing pressure back to ambient conditions, the structural changes in the sample are reversible, while the fluorescence signal preserves some high-pressure features due to the partial retention of the π–π interactions between the anthracene dimers. This study reveals the evolution of an excimer and its intrinsic photophysical properties, and provides guidance for future research on pressure-sensitive fluorescent devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Estimation of grain boundary segregation enthalpy and its role in stable nanocrystalline alloy design

Grain boundary segregation provides a method for stabilization of nanocrystalline metals—an alloying element that will segregate to the boundaries can lower the grain boundary energy, attenuating the driving force for grain growth. The segregation strength relative to the mixing enthalpy of a binary system determines the propensity for segregation stabilization. This relationship has been codified for the design space of positive enthalpy alloys; unfortunately, quantitative values for the grain boundary segregation enthalpy exist in only very few material systems, hampering the prospect of nanocrystalline alloy design. We present a Miedema-type model for estimation of grain boundary segregation enthalpy, with which potential nanocrystalline phase-forming alloys can be rapidly screened. Calculations of the necessary enthalpies are made for ~2500 alloys and used to make predictions about nanocrystalline stability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Bench Scale Process for Low Cost CO 2 Capture Using a Phase-Changing Absorbent: Final Scientific/Technical Report

The objective of this project is to design and build a bench-scale process for a novel phase-changing aminosilicone-based CO 2 -capture solvent. The project will establish scalability and technical and economic feasibility of using a phase-changing CO 2 -capture absorbent for post-combustion capture of CO 2 from coal-fired power plants. The U.S. Department of Energy’s goal for Transformational Carbon Capture Technologies is the development of technologies available for demonstration by 2025 that can capture 90% of emitted CO 2 with at least 95% CO 2 purity for less than $40/tonne of CO 2 captured. In the first budget period of the project, the bench-scale phase-changing CO2 capture process was designed using data and operating experience generated under a previous project (ARPA-e project DE-AR0000084). Sizing and specification of all major unit operations was completed, including detailed process and instrumentation diagrams. The system was designed to operate over a wide range of operating conditions to allow for exploration of the effect of process variables on CO 2 capture performance. In the second budget period of the project, individual bench-scale unit operations were tested to determine the performance of each of each unit. Solids production was demonstrated in dry simulated flue gas across a wide range of absorber operating conditions, with single stage CO 2 conversion rates up to 75mol%. Desorber operation was demonstrated in batch mode, resulting in desorption performance consistent with the equilibrium isotherms for GAP-0/CO 2 reaction. Important risks associated with gas humidity impact on solids consistency and desorber temperature impact on thermal degradation were explored, and adjustments to the bench-scale process were made to address those effects. Corrosion experiments were conducted to support selection of suitable materials of construction for the major unit operations in the process. The bench scale unit operations were assembled into a continuous system to support steady state system testing. In the third budget period of the project, continuous system testing was conducted, including closed-loop operation of the absorber and desober systems. Slurries of GAP-0/GAP-0 carbamate/water mixtures produced in the absorber were pumped successfully to the desorber unit, and regenerated solvent was returned to the absorber. A techno-economic analysis, EH&S risk assessment, and solvent manufacturability study were completed.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

Tunable Visibly Transparent Optics Derived from Porous Silicon

Visibly transparent porous silicon dioxide (PSiO 2 ) and PSiO 2 /titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) optical elements were fabricated by thermal oxidation, or a combination of thermal oxidation and atomic layer deposition infilling, of an electrochemically etched porous silicon (PSi) structure containing an electrochemically defined porosity profile. The thermally oxidized PSiO 2 structures are transparent at visible wavelengths and can be designed to have refractive indices ranging from 1.1 to 1.4. The refractive index can be increased above 2.0 through TiO 2 infilling of the pores. Applying this oxidation and TiO 2 infilling methodology enabled tuning of a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) formed from PSi across the visible spectrum. At the maximum filling, the DBR exhibited a transmission of 2% at 620 nm. Simulations match well with measured spectra. In addition to forming DBR filters, phase-shaping gradient refractive index (GRIN) elements were formed. As a demonstration, a 4 mm diameter radial GRIN PSiO 2 element with a parabolic, lens-like phase profile with a calculated focal length of 1.48 m was formed. The calculated focal length was reduced to 0.80 m upon the addition of TiO 2 . All the structures showed broad transparency in the visible and were stable to the materials conversion process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

From high-entropy ceramics to compositionally complex ceramics and beyond

Over the past decade, the field of high-entropy ceramics (HECs) has expanded rapidly to encompass a broad range of oxides, borides, silicides, and other ceramic solid solutions. In 2020, we proposed extending HECs to compositionally complex ceramics (CCCs), where non-equimolar compositions and the presence of long- or short-range order, although reducing configurational entropy, create new opportunities to tailor and enhance properties, often surpassing those of higher-entropy counterparts. Along these lines, several fundamental scientific questions arise. Is the entropy in HECs truly high? Is maximizing entropy always desirable? In this perspective article, I revisit key concepts and terminologies and highlight emerging directions, including dual-phase CCCs, ultrahigh-entropy phases, and novel processing routes such as ultrafast reactive sintering. I propose that exploring compositional complexity across vast non-equimolar spaces, together with exploiting correlated disorder (coupled chemical and structural short-range order), represents a transformative strategy for designing ceramics with superior performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Plasmas in Multiphase Media: Bubble Enhanced Discharges in Liquids and Plasma/Liquid Phase Boundaries

In this research project, the interaction of atmospheric pressure plasmas with multi-phase media was computationally investigated. Multi-phase media includes liquids, particles, complex materials and porous surfaces. Although this investigation addressed fundamental plasma transport and chemical processes, the outcomes directly and beneficially affected applications including biotechnology, medicine and environmental remediation (e.g., water purification). During this project, we made advances in our understanding of the interaction of atmospheric pressure plasmas in the form of dielectric barrier discharges and plasma jets with organic materials and liquids. We also made advances in our ability to use computer modeling to represent these complex processes. We determined the method that atmospheric pressure plasmas flow along solid and liquid surfaces, and through endoscopic like tubes, deliver optical and high energy ion activation energy to organic and liquid surfaces, and produce reactivity in thin liquid layers, as might cover a wound. We determined the mechanisms whereby plasmas can deliver activation energy to the inside of liquids by sustaining plasmas in bubbles. These findings are important to the advancement of new technology areas such as plasma medicine

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Manufacturing of low-background copper electrical components for rare-event detection. Final report

This SBIR Phase I project developed the manufacturing capability for the production of ultra-low-background copper and lead for use in electronic interconnects and support architecture. Copper is an attractive electronic and support material because of its favorable conductivity and mechanical properties. Fortuitously, the material can also be electroplated with high radiopurity, particularly if the electroforming is performed in shielded, buried facilities within which the cosmogenic background is minimized. The machining of the electroformed copper into wires, feedthroughs, and support hardware can potentially introduce impurities through the shop environment or through the dies used in wire-drawing and part formation. During Phase I, we demonstrated an alternative low-cost solution-based approach in which copper nanoparticles are colloidally-grown and self-assembled into solids that can serve as thermal structures- such as cold-fingers, mechanical structures- such as the inner shielding lining, and electronic devices. We demonstrated ultrastrong, high-conductivity free-standing copper conductors during Phase I suitable for battery electrodes, interconnects, and cabling, all components that enable next-generation flexible electronics. In nanoparticle form, copper forms in a crystalline lattice with very low impurity content, but its self-assembly is facilitated by organic capping ligands that can serve as impurity sources. Upon the formation of a colloidal solid, the copper particles can be fused and the organic components evaporated through vacuum annealing. The study of ultra-pure copper was expanded during Phase I to include nanostructured lead, which is an important radiation-shielding material. By growing lead particles in a water-based solution the resulting solution can be poured into the desired form-factor mold, within which it will self-assemble and harden upon evaporation of the water and any organics. The effort during Phase II is designed to complete the development of the manufacturing process and to use that process to deliver high radio-purity copper and lead components to the rare-event detection community so that the noise-floor contribution from the surrounding materials is substantially eliminated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

From Deposition to Encapsulation: Roll-to-roll manufacturing of organic light emitting devices for lighting (Final Report)

Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) are promising solid state light sources due to their high efficiency, high color quality and flexible form factors. The key to enable low cost OLED lighting, is to rapidly fabricate thin film organic layers on a continuous flexible roll, called R2R processing. This project aims to investigate the feasibility of mass production of OLED lighting using the R2R process, from deposition to encapsulation. A high efficiency white OLED is fabricated on 10 cm-wide substrate rolls in a pilot R2R tool comprising of two different organic deposition: vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) and organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD). A high quality encapsulation process to package OLEDs is demonstrated using an atomic layer deposition tool integrated to the R2R system without air exposure. The method to achieve ultrahigh deposition rates required by R2R processing is demonstrated by OVPD. Uniform organic semiconductor thin films grown by OVPD at rates as high as 50 Å/s are achieved. A comprehensive numerical model that is capable of simulating complex, multilayer WOLED structures is developed to provide an alternative to experimental iterations of OLED design and tests. A cost estimate on the R2R production of WOLEDs for lighting is developed. Assuming a WOLED luminance of 10 klm/m 2 , the cost of a WOLED light engine is anticipated to be $\$ 12.5$ /klm. With incremental reduction in material and driver costs and improved luminance, the cost of WOLED lighting can be reduced to $\$ 6.3$ /klm in the near term. These findings suggest OLED lighting can be volume manufactured by R2R vapor deposition methods with much reduced costs compared to current batch processing methods, potentially positioning WOLEDs for use in numerous premium lighting applications.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Applicability Evaluation of the In-can Vitrification to Fukushima Waste - 19016

The in-can vitrification process has been developed by the CEA for an internal application (alpha waste treatment) since 2005 and can be rated TRL 7. On these basis the DEM'n'MELT consortium which gathers Orano, CEA and ECM technologies is currently developing and qualifying a robust, simple and versatile in situ vitrification process dedicated to D and D waste. The DEM'n'MELT vitrification process is developed with a modular design, the main characteristics are presented hereafter: - Suitable for high or medium level waste. - Heated by a simple and robust resistance furnace. - Offering homogeneity to the melted mixture. - Suitable for solid or liquid wastes, including zeolites and sludge. - Flexible enough to accommodate uncertainties on waste composition. - Designed in order to produce a small amount of secondary waste. - Implementing proven technological solutions from French high level vitrification shops. - Requiring low investment and operation costs. Regarding this features, the in-can process has been deemed as an appropriate tool for the vitrification of the Fukushima water treatment secondary waste (mineral adsorbants, sludge). The evaluation of the In-can process for Fukushima waste is a project led by Orano, CEA and ANADEC. The main phases are: - Scenarios and glass formulation studies to optimize waste loading and matrix homogeneity. - Bench scale tests on several scenarios of blended waste. - Pilot scale test on one selected scenario (reference scenario). - Feasibility evaluation to Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station implementation. This paper presents the first results of this project with a highlighting on glass waste loading, glass properties, bench tests and pilot test results, process parameters, and material balance. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Surprising Stability of Cubane under Extreme Pressure

The chemical stability of solid cubane under high-pressure was examined with in situ Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) up to 60 GPa. The Raman modes associated with solid cubane were assigned by comparing experimental data with calculations based on density functional perturbation theory, and low-frequency lattice modes are reported for the first time. Here, the equation of state of solid cubane derived from the PXRD measurements taken during compression gives a bulk modulus of 14.5(2) GPa. In contrast with previous work and chemical intuition, PXRD and Raman data indicate that solid cubane exhibits anomalously large stability under extreme pressure, despite its immensely strained 90° C–C–C bond angles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗