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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 1,405 records · Page 78
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Improvement of the CIGS solar cell performance: structure based on a ZnS buffer layer

Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} (CIGS) based thin film solar cells are the most efficient thin-film solar cells today. The non-toxic and wide band-gap zinc sulphide (ZnS) is a promising material to replace the cadmium sulfide (CdS) as the buffer layer in CIGS based solar cells. In this work we present a simulation study of a CIGS based solar cell with a buffer layer of ZnS, using the simulator Silvaco-Atlas. Our primary simulation shows a 22.6% efficiency of the CIGS solar cell with the CdS buffer layer which is comparable to reported and highest experimental results. However, the simulated efficiency of the CIGS solar cell with the ZnS buffer layer as high as 23.54% was achieved. The effects of layer parameters like the thickness, the acceptor and donor densities of the CIGS absorber and ZnS buffer layers and the CBO on the photovoltaic parameters of the ZnS/CIGS solar cell are optimized in order to improve the performance of the ZnS/CIGS solar cell. The highest efficiency of 27.33% is achieved when the ZnS buffer and the CIGS absorber layers have thicknesses of 0.025 µm and 4 µm with acceptor and donor densities of 6 × 10{sup 17} cm{sup −3} and 10{sup 18} cm{sup −3}, respectively and a CBO in the range − 0.05 to 0.05 eV. The present results of simulation can help the development of the solar cells with higher conversion efficiency and low cost.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modelling of Blast Furnace with Respective Chemical Reactions in Coke and Ore Burden Layers

The ironmaking blast furnace (BF) is an efficient chemical reactor for producing liquid iron from solid iron ore, where the solids of coke and iron ore are charged in alternative layers and different chemical reactions occur in the two solid layers as they descend. Such respective reacting burden layers have not been considered explicitly in the previous BF models. In this article, a mathematical model based on multi-fluid theory is developed for describing the multiphase reacting flows considering the respective reacting burden layers. Then, this model is applied to a BF, covering the area from the burden surface at the furnace top to the liquid surface above the hearth, to describe the inner states of a BF in terms of the multiphase flows, temperature distribution and reduction process. The results show that some key important features in the layered burden with respective chemical reactions are captured, including fluctuating iso-lines in terms of gas flow and thermochemical behaviours; particularly the latter cannot be well captured in the previous BF models. The temperature difference between gas–solid phases is found to be larger near the raceway, at the cohesive zone and at the furnace top, and the thermal reserved zone can be identified near the shaft. Three chemical reserve zones of hematite, magnetite and wustite can also be observed near the stockline, in the shaft near the wall and near centre, respectively. Inside each reserve zone, the corresponding ferrous oxides stay constantly high in alternative layers; the overall performance indicators including gas utilization efficiency and reduction degree also stay stable in an alternative-layered structure. This model provides a cost-effective tool to investigate the BF in-furnace process and optimize BF operation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Three-Layer TIG-Welded 2219 Aluminum Alloys with Dissimilar Heat Treatments

2219-C10S and 2219-CYS aluminum alloys are 2219 aluminum alloys with different heat treatment processes, and they have been widely used in the aerospace industry. In the present study, 2219-C10S and 2219-CYS aluminum alloys were butt-welded by three-layer tungsten inert gas arc welding (with the welding center of the third layer shifted toward the CYS side), and the microstructure characteristics and mechanical properties of the welded joint were investigated. The lamellar θ′ phases, the bulk or rod θ phases, and the coarse rod-shaped or pancake-shaped Al-Cu-Fe-Mn phases coexisted in the two aluminum alloys. The Cu content of the α-Al matrix and the distribution of eutectic structures of different welding layers in the weld zone (WZ) were varied, implying that the segregation degrees of the Cu element were different due to the different welding thermal cycles in different welding layers. The microhardness values of the CYS side were much higher than those of the C10S side in each region on both sides of the joint. The tensile test deformation was concentrated mainly in the regions of WZ and the over aged zone (OAZ), where the microhardness values were relatively low. The main deformation concentrated region was transferred from the CYS side to the C10S side with the increase in the tensile load during the tensile test. The fracture behavior of the tensile test showed that the macroscopic crack initiated near the front weld toe had gone through the crack blunt region, the shear fracture region of the partially melted zone (PMZ), and the shear fracture region of OAZ. Meanwhile, the fracture characteristics gradually evolved from brittle to ductile. The concentrated stress and the dense eutectic structure in the region near the front weld toe of the C10S side contributed to the fracture of the joint. The shift of the welding center of the third layer to the CYS side resulted in two effects: (i) the microhardness values from the middle layer to the top layer in the PMZ of the CYS side were the most significantly increased and (ii) the distance between the front weld toe and the fusion line of the CYS side was significantly larger.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Formation and effect of orientation domains in layered oxide cathodes of lithium-ion batteries

Here, we show that in layered oxides that are employed as cathodes in lithium-ion batteries, the cation layers can order on different {111} NaCl planes within a single particle, which makes the lithium layer discontinuous across a particle. The findings challenge previous assertions that lithium undergoes 2-D diffusion in layered oxides and the data provide new insights into the decrease in rate capabilities for some layered oxides. Therefore, it is critically important to understand how these discontinuities form and how the loss of 2-D diffusion impacts the overall performance of the layered oxide cathode materials. Employing X-ray diffraction (XRD) and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), we find that as the material transitions from a disordered to an ordered state, it forms four orientation variants corresponding to the four {111} NaCl planes. This transition is not intrinsic to all layered oxides and appears to be more strongly affected by nickel. Furthermore, with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), we show that there is an increase in the nickel concentration at the interface between each orientation variant. Lastly, this reduces the rate of lithium diffusion, negatively affects the rate capability, and could be contributing to the overall capacity fade.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Water vapor oxidation of SiC layer in surrogate TRISO fuel particles

Under accidental conditions for high temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGR), the SiC layer in tri-structural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles can be exposed to water vapor. In this study, oxidation behaviors of surrogate TRISO fuel particles were investigated in a He-20 vol% water vapor mixed atmosphere at temperatures up to 1600 °C. The growth of the crystalline oxide passivation layer with cracks and pores followed a parabolic law with time, where the maximum was 2.3 μm at 1600 °C. The oxide layer and the SiC surface under the oxide became flattened with increasing temperature, as a function of the silica viscosity and the diffusion path of water vapor. Volatilization of the oxide layer was analyzed using a mechanistic model that an inert gas in oxidizing atmospheres could influence the magnitude of volatilization. The fracture load and strength of the oxidized and thinned SiC layer were numerically estimated to decrease from 2.27 to 1.69 N and from 317 to 299 MPa, respectively, with the SiC thickness decrease from 35 to 32 μm. This prediction indicates that the oxidized SiC layer should retain fission products. Additionally, the mechanical integrity of each layer in the TRISO fuel particle after oxidation was evaluated. The results in this work provide important data for the safety analysis of accidental scenarios in HTGRs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Measurement of the vapor layer under a dynamic Leidenfrost drop

To understand the Leidenfrost phenomenon, which is the results of formation of a thin vapor layer, the progression of the vapor should be analyzed. However, due to the limitation of measuring techniques, the empirical measurement of the vapor layer under a dynamic Leidenfrost drop as a function of time has not been reported because the vapor is only tens of micrometers thick and forms within a tenth of a millisecond. Therefore, this paper presents a synchrotron X-ray imaging with the precise resolution to overcome the limitation of previous measurement technique. The liquid-vapor interfacial behavior of a drop of ethanol that is being levitated above a flat SiO 2 surface by the Leidenfrost phenomenon is analyzed depending on surface temperature. Measurements suggest that a thin (< 2 μm) vapor layer develops between the surface and the drop; i.e. that the liquid does not contact the solid. The measured thickness of this vapor layer under a dynamic Leidenfrost drop was less than the thickness of the vapor layer estimated by analytical solution of a model of vapor layer thickness for a static Leidenfrost drop. As a result, the new technique presented in this study will support transient numerical simulations or an analytical solution of the vapor layer under a dynamic Leidenfrost drop, and may have applications in research on the effects of artificial surface structure on the Leidenfrost phenomenon.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2013

Influences of alcoholic solvents on spray pyrolysis deposition of TiO{sub 2} blocking layer films for solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

Influences of alcoholic solvents for titanium diisopropoxide bis(acetylacetonate) (TPA) precursor solutions on the spray pyrolysis deposited TiO{sub 2} films and the photovoltaic performance of the solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (SDSCs) using these TiO{sub 2} films as the blocking layers were investigated. Smooth TiO{sub 2} films were obtained by spray pyrolysis deposition of a TPA solution in isopropanol (IPA) at a relatively low temperature of 260 Degree-Sign C. On the other hand, when ethanol was used as solvent, the TiO{sub 2} films fabricated at the same temperature showed much rougher surfaces with many pinholes. Our results showed that ethanol reacts with TPA to form titanium diethoxide bis(acetylacetonate) (TEA), which requires a higher thermal decomposition temperature than that of TPA. SDSCs with TiO{sub 2} blocking layer films fabricated using a TPA solution in IPA showed higher power conversion efficiencies with smaller variations. - Graphical abstract: Alcoholic solvents used for the TiO{sub 2} precursor play a critical role in determining the surface morphology of blocking layers and thus the photovoltaic performance of the SDSCs. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Solvent influences morphology of spray pyrolysis deposited TiO{sub 2} blocking layer. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Ethanol reacts with TPA, resulting poor quality of blocking layer. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Isopropanol is better than ethanol for obtaining smooth blocking layer. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SDSC with blocking layer made with isopropanol showed better performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Diverse assemblies of the (4,4) grid layers exemplified in Zn(II)/Co(II) coordination polymers with dual linear ligands

Diverse (4,4) grid layers are exemplified in five two-dimensional coordination polymers with dual µ{sub 2}-bridged ligands, namely, ([Zn(cbaa)(bpp)]·H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1), [Zn{sub 2}(cbaa){sub 2}(bpy)]{sub n} (2), [Co{sub 2}(cbaa){sub 2}(bpp){sub 2}]{sub n} (3), [Co(cbaa)(bpp)]{sub n} (4), and [Co(bdaa)(bpp)(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}]{sub n} (5) (H{sub 2}cbaa=4-carboxybenzeneacetic acid, bpp=1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane, bpy=4,4′-bipyridyl, and H{sub 2}bdaa=1,4-benzenediacrylic acid). For 1, two (4,4) grid layers with [ZnN{sub 2}O{sub 2}] tetrahedron as the node are held together by lattice water forming a H-bonding bilayer. Individual (4,4) grid layer in 2 is based on (Zn{sub 2}(OCO){sub 4}) paddlewheel unit as the node. Two (4,4) grid layers with (Co{sub 2}O(OCO){sub 2}) dimer as the node are covalently interconnected by organic ligands affording a thick bilayer of 3 with new framework topology. The different entanglements between two coincident (4,4) grid layers with [CoN{sub 2}O{sub 4}] octahedron as the node leads to two 2D→2D interpenetrated structures for 4 and 5. Furthermore, fluorescent properties of 1 and 2 as well as magnetic properties of 3 are investigated. - Graphical abstract: Diverse assemblies of the (4,4) grid layers with different network nodes forms five coordination polymers that are well characterized by IR, TGA, element analysis, fluorescent and magnetic measurement. - Highlights: • Diverse assemblies of the (4,4) grid layers with different structural units as the nodes. • A new topology type with the uninodal 6-connected net of (4{sup 12}.5{sup 2}.6) is found. • Intense fluorescence emissions with a rare blue-shift of 55 nm compared to free carboxylate ligand.

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

Mechanochemical synthesis of finite particle of layered double hydroxide-acetate intercalation compound: Swelling, thin film and ion exchange

Acetate intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide was successfully synthesized by the solid-state reactions between magnesium acetate and aluminum hydroxide as the starting materials using a planetary mil. The acetate intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide prepared by the present solid-state reaction was finite particle and was processed into stable aqueous suspension with variable transparency and viscosity depending on the concentration. By drying the suspension on a substrate under nitrogen atmosphere, thin film (with the thickness of several micrometers) of the acetate intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide with the basal plane oriented parallel to the substrate was obtained. The ion exchange ability of the film, which is as an advantage of the acetate form of layered double hydroxide, was shown by the ion exchange with coumarin-3-carboxylate to give a photoluminescent film. The solid-solid reaction is advantageous for the preparation of layered double hydroxides due to the simple and eco-friendly nature (no solvent) of the operation, lower possibility of carbonate contamination and finite particles of the products. - Graphical abstract: Acetate intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide was successfully synthesized by the solid-state reactions using a planetary mil. The acetate intercalated Mg-Al layered double hydroxide prepared was processed into aqueous suspension and film. Display Omitted.

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

Characterization of tribo-layer formed during sliding wear of SiC ball against nanocrystalline diamond coatings

Tribo-layer formation and frictional characteristics of the SiC ball were studied with the sliding test against nanocrystalline diamond coating under atmospheric test conditions. Unsteady friction coefficients in the range of 0.04 to 0.1 were observed during the tribo-test. Friction and wear characteristics were found to be influenced by the formation of cohesive tribo-layer (thickness ∼ 1.3 μm) in the wear track of nanocrystalline diamond coating. Hardness of the tribo-layer was measured using nanoindentation technique and low hardness of ∼ 1.2 GPa was observed. The presence of silicon and oxygen in the tribo-layer was noticed by the energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping and the chemical states of the silicon were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Large amount of oxygen content in the tribo-layer indicated tribo-oxidation wear mechanism. - Highlights: • Sliding wear and friction characteristics of SiC were studied against NCD coating. • Silicon oxide tribo-layer formation was observed in the NCD coating wear track. • Low hardness 1.2 GPa of tribo-layer was measured using nanoindentation technique. • Chemical states of silicon were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Interfacial bonding mechanism and mechanical properties of micro friction stir blind riveting for multiple Cu/Al ultra-thin layers

Highlights: • Micro Friction Stir Blind Riveting is developed for joining multilayer ultra-thin dissimilar materials. • Interfacial bonding mechanism for different interfaces is identified. • Proposed technique offers better mechanical performance than conventional micro riveting process. • The relationship between each interfacial bonding mechanism and improved mechanical property is elucidated. - Abstract: In this research, bonding mechanisms and mechanical properties were investigated for a newly developed multilayer dissimilar material joining technique, micro friction stir blind riveting (viz. μFSBR), where the multilayer micro joint was made consisting of one Cu layer and three Al layers (each layer having 0.203 mm thickness) connected through Al rivet. Different microscopy techniques were employed (i.e. scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) to unearth the bonding mechanisms of the three interfaces (i.e. Al rivet and Cu sheet interface, Cu sheet and Al sheet interface, and Al rivet and Al sheet interface) which revealed intricate yet distinct bonding phenomenon for each interface. A nano-scale diffusion layer in addition to two-way material flow consequential heterogeneous lamellar structures and mechanical interlocking was formed at the Al rivet and Cu sheet interface; Cu particles diffused into a non-uniform thickness thin oxide layer at the Cu sheet and Al sheet interface; and Al sheet experienced grain refinement near the interface close to Al rivet with a nano-scale gap. These observations revealed that both mechanical and metallurgical bonding occurred simultaneously in μFSBR. The formation of different bonding mechanisms resulted in superior bonding strength and absorbed energy compared to conventional micro blind riveting joints, which was further confirmed through layer by layer tensile tests.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Template-directed preparation of two-layer porous NiO film via hydrothermal synthesis for lithium ion batteries

Graphical abstract: A two-layer porous NiO film is prepared via hydrothermal synthesis method based on monolayer polystyrene sphere template and shows noticeable Li battery performance with good cycle life and high capacity. Highlights: ► Two-layer porous NiO film is prepared via monolayer polystyrene spheres template. ► NiO film with high capacity as anode material for lithium ion batteries. ► Two-layer porous structure is favorable for fast lithium ion and electron transfer. -- Abstract: A two-layer porous NiO film is prepared by hydrothermal synthesis method through self-assembled monolayer polystyrene spheres template. The substructure of the NiO film is composed of ordered close-packed hollow-sphere array and the superstructure is made up of randomly NiO nanoflakes. The electrochemical properties are measured by galvanostatic charge/discharge tests and cyclic voltammetric analysis (CV). As anode material for lithium ion batteries, the two-layer porous NiO film exhibits high initial coulombic efficiency of 75%, high reversible capacity and rather good cycling performance. The discharge capacity of the two-layer porous NiO film is 501 mAh g{sup −1} at 0.5 C after 50 cycles. The two-layer porous architecture is responsible for the enhancement of electrochemical properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Optical and field emission properties of layer-structure GaN nanowires

Highlights: • The layer-structure GaN nanowires with hexagonal-shaped cross-sections are produced via a process based on the CVD method. • The diameter of the layer-structure GaN nanowire gradually decreases from ∼500 nm to ∼200 nm along the wire axis. • The layer-structure GaN nanowire film possesses good field emission property. - Abstract: A layer-structure gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires, grown on Pt-coated n-type Si (1 1 1) substrate, have been synthesized using chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The results show: (1) SEM indicates that the geometry structure is layer-structure. HRTEM indicates that GaN nanowire’s preferential growth direction is along [0 0 1] direction. (2) The room temperature PL emission spectrum of the layer-structure GaN nanowires has a peak at 375 nm, which proves that GaN nanowires have potential application in light-emitting nano-devices. (3) Field-emission measurements show that the layer-structure GaN nanowires film has a low turn-on field of 4.39 V/μm (at room temperature), which is sufficient for electron emission devices, field emission displays and vacuum nano-electronic devices. The growth mechanism for GaN nanowires has also been discussed briefly.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

On the enhancement of boundary layer skin friction by turbulence: an angular momentum approach

Turbulence enhances the wall shear stress in boundary layers, significantly increasing the drag on streamlined bodies. Other flow features such as free stream pressure gradients and streamwise boundary layer growth also strongly influence the local skin friction. In this paper, an angular momentum integral (AMI) equation is introduced to quantify these effects by representing them as torques that alter the shape of the mean velocity profile. This approach uniquely isolates the skin friction of a Blasius boundary layer in a single term that depends only on the Reynolds number most relevant to the flow's engineering context, so that other torques are interpreted as augmentations relative to the laminar case having the same Reynolds number. The AMI equation for external flows shares this key property with the so-called FIK relation for internal flows (Fukagata et al. , Phys. Fluids , vol. 14, 2002, pp. L73–L76). Without a geometrically imposed boundary layer thickness, the length scale in the Reynolds number for the AMI equation may be chosen freely. After a brief demonstration using Falkner–Skan boundary layers, the AMI equation is applied as a diagnostic tool on four transitional and turbulent boundary layer direct numerical simulation datasets. Regions of negative wall-normal velocity are shown to play a key role in limiting the peak skin friction during the late stages of transition, and the relative strengths of terms in the AMI equation become independent of the transition mechanism a very short distance into the fully turbulent regime. The AMI equation establishes an intuitive, extensible framework for interpreting the impact of turbulence and flow control strategies on boundary layer skin friction.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Direct Observation of 2DEG States in Shallow Si:Sb δ-Layers

We investigate the electronic structure of high-density layers of Sb dopants in a silicon host, so-called Si:Sb δ-layers. We show that, in spite of the known challenges in producing highly confined Sb δ-layers, sufficient confinement is created such that the lowest conduction band states (Γ states, studied in depth in other silicon δ-layers), become occupied and can be observed using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The electronic structure of the Si:Sb δ-layers closely resembles that of Si:P systems, where the observed conduction band is near-parabolic and slightly anisotropic in the k ∥ plane. The observed Γ state extends ∼1 nm in the out-of-plane direction, which is slightly wider than the 1/3 monolayer thick dopant distribution. This is caused by a small segregation of the dopant layer, which is nevertheless minimal when comparing with earlier published attempts. Our results serve to demonstrate that Sb is still a feasible dopant alternative for use in the semiconductor δ-layer platform, providing similar electronic functionality to Si:P systems. Additionally, it has the advantages of being less expensive, more controllable, safer to handle, and more compatible with industrial patterning techniques. Si:Sb is therefore a viable platform for emerging quantum device applications.

Deposition↗
DOE OSTI2021

Effects of Ink Formulation on Construction of Catalyst Layers for High-Performance Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Rational design of catalyst layers in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is crucial for achieving high-performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Establishing a clear understanding of the property (catalyst ink)–structure (catalyst layer)–performance (MEA) relationship lays the foundation for this rational design. Here, a synergistic approach was taken to correlate the ink formulation, the microstructure of catalyst layers, and the resulting MEA performance to establish such a property–structure–performance relationship. The solvent composition (n-PA/H 2 O mixtures) demonstrated a strong influence on the performance of the MEA fabricated with an 830-EW (Aquivion) ionomer, especially polarization losses of cell activation and mass transport. The performance differences were studied in terms of how the solvent composition affects the catalyst/ionomer interface, ionomer network, and pore structure of the resulting catalyst layers. The ionomer aggregates mainly covered the surface of catalyst aggregates acting as oxygen reduction reaction active sites, and the aggregate sizes of the ionomer and catalyst (revealed by ultrasmall angle X-ray scattering and cryo-transmission electron microscopy) were dictated by tuning the solvent composition, which in turn determined the catalyst/ionomer interface (available active sites). In n-PA/H 2 O mixtures with 50~90 wt % H 2 O, the catalyst agglomerates could be effectively broken up into small aggregates, leading to enhanced kinetic activities. The boiling point of the mixed solvents determined the pore structure of ultimate catalyst layers, as evidenced by mercury porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy. For mixed solvents with a higher boiling point, the catalyst–ionomer aggregates in the ink tend to agglomerate during the solvent evaporation process and finally form larger catalyst–ionomer aggregates in the ultimate catalyst layer, resulting in more secondary pores and thus lower mass transport resistance. Both the enlarged catalyst/ionomer interface and appropriate pore structure were achieved with the catalyst layer fabricated from an n-PA/H 2 O mixture with 90 wt % H 2 O, leading to the best MEA performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Estimating Internal Stress of an Alteration Layer Formed on Corroded Boroaluminosilicate Glass through Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Analysis

Aqueous corrosion of glass may result in the formation of an alteration layer in the glass surface of which chemical composition and network structure are different from those of the bulk glass. Since corrosion occurs far below the glass-transition temperature, the alteration layer cannot fully relax to the new structure with the lowest possible energy. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that such a network will contain highly strained chemical bonds, which can be manifested as a stress in the alteration layer. Common techniques to measure stress in thin films or surface layers were found inadequate for thick monolithic glass samples corroded in water. Here, we explored the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry to test the presence of internal stress in the alteration layer formed by aqueous corrosion of glass. Furthermore, a procedure for analyses of spectroscopic ellipsometry data to determine birefringence in the alteration layer was developed. Findings with the established fitting procedure suggested that a stress builds up in the corroded surface layer of a boroaluminosilicate glass if there is a change in relative humidity, pH, or electrolyte concentration of the environment to which the glass surface is exposed. A similar process may occur in other types of glass, and it may affect the surface properties of corroded glass objects.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2019

Understanding the Static Interfacial Polymer Layer by Exploring the Dispersion States of Nanocomposites

The dynamic and static properties of the interfacial region between polymer and nanoparticles have wide-ranging consequences on performances of nanomaterials. The thickness and density of the static layer are particularly difficult to assess experimentally due to superimposing nanoparticle interactions. Here, we tune the dispersion of silica nanoparticles in nanocomposites by preadsorption of polymer layers in the precursor solutions, and by varying the molecular weight of the matrix chains. Nanocomposite structures ranging from ideal dispersion to repulsive order or various degrees of aggregation are generated and observed by small-angle scattering. Preadsorbed chains are found to promote ideal dispersion, before desorption in the late stages of nanocomposite formation. The microstructure of the interfacial polymer layer is characterized by detailed modeling of X-ray and neutron scattering. Only in ideally well-dispersed systems a static interfacial layer of reduced polymer density over a thickness of ca. 2 nm is evidenced based on the analysis with a form-free density profile optimized using numerical simulations. This interfacial gradient layer is found to be independent of the thickness of the initially adsorbed polymer, but appears to be generated by out-of-equilibrium packing and folding of the preadsorbed layer. The impact of annealing is investigated to study the approach of equilibrium, showing that initially ideally well-dispersed systems adopt a repulsive hard-sphere structure, while the static interfacial layer disappears. Furthermore, this study thus promotes the fundamental understanding of the interplay between effects which are decisive for macroscopic material properties: polymer-mediated interparticle interactions, and particle interfacial effects on the surrounding polymer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗