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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 145 records · Page 8

Crossover Effects of Transition‐Metal Ions on Lithium‐Metal Anode in Localized High Concentration Electrolytes

Abstract The stability of the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) is critical to the cycle life of lithium‐metal batteries (LMBs). While the crossover effect of transition‐metal ions from cathode to anode is extensively studied in lithium‐ion batteries with graphite anodes, its impact on LMBs remains largely unexplored. Herein, this study investigates the electrochemical and chemical properties of SEI layers formed on lithium‐metal anodes in localized high‐concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) containing dissolved transition‐metal ions (Ni 2+ , Mn 2+ , and Co 2+ ). It is demonstrated that transition‐metal ions in LHCEs reduce the coulombic efficiency (CE) and significantly degrade the cycle life of LMBs. Time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) reveals that SEI structures differ depending on the dissolved TM ion, with Mn 2+ and Co 2+ inducing severe destabilization, and Ni 2+ exhibiting a less severe impact. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of transition‐metal crossover effects in LMB systems.

Guo, Zezhou [Materials Science and Engineering Pro↗

Intrinsically sodiophilic, mesoporous metal-free wetting layers based on inexpensive carbon black for sodium-metal batteries

In this article, elevated temperature molten Na batteries are seeing a resurgence of interest for low-cost electrochemical energy storage for the grid. Of the many recent innovations in this battery concept, new methods focused on intermediate temperature operation (e.g. 110–190 °C) have gained prominence as a way to enable comparable performance with less thermal energy loss and lower-cost materials of construction. However, the poor wettability of molten Na on suitable solid-electrolyte separators such as sodium Beta Alumina Solid-Electrolyte (Na-β”-Al 2 O 3 , ‘BASE’) requires continued innovation in interface engineering to promote full utilization of the solid-electrolyte surface area and minimize cell resistance. There have been many successful approaches to improve Na-wettability to-date including heat treatment in an inert atmosphere to remove adsorbed surface species, deposition of alloying metals such as Pb, Sn, or Bi, and use of carbon-based interfacial layers. However, these approaches either lack the ability to provide good wetting at very low temperatures (near the melting point of Na) or rely on non-scalable processes and/or toxic/expensive metals. To solve these issues, a new carbon-based sodiophilic treatment is demonstrated, which utilizes inexpensive components to form a meso/macroporous sodiophilic layer, is easily applied via drop-casting or spray-coating, provides excellent wetting as low as 110 °C, and is completely metal-free. It is found that the good sodium wetting can be attributed to the wider range of pore sizes in the carbon layers demonstrated in this study. Na wetting may occur as surface tension is initially broken by larger pores, followed by the intrusion of molten Na into smaller pores due to the apparent intrinsic affinity of Na-metal for carbon surfaces, in conjunction with the capillarity effect. Low cell-level area specific resistances of 20–30 and 13–15 Ω·cm 2 are demonstrated at 110 and 140 °C respectively. Finally, the utility of this metal-free wetting layer for solid-Na anodes is explored, showing that the metal-free wetting layer can reach a critical current density of 1.88 mA·cm -2 at 30 °C.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Local Distortions and Metal–Semiconductor–Metal Transition in Quasi-One-Dimensional Nanowire Compounds AV 3 Q 3 O δ (A = K, Rb, Cs and Q = Se, Te)

Metal cluster compounds have garnered renewed interest in the search for novel superconductors and topological semimetals owing to structural instabilities of metal-cluster geometries and broken symmetries. Here we synthesized needle-like crystals of the V-cluster-based quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) materials AV 3 Q 3 O δ (A = K, Rb, Cs, Q= Se, Te) which can also be viewed as being composed of parallel nanowires. We examine how changes in their average and local structure control their electronic properties. All compounds crystallize in the TIFe 3 Te 3 -type structure (P6 3 /m space group) with infinite (V 3 )Q 3 ) - double-walled columnar chains separated by A + cations. Our single-crystal and synchrotron powder diffraction studies indicate oxygen atoms partially occupy the center site of the V 6 octahedral metal cluster cages in KV 3 Te 3 O 0.33 , RbV 3 Te 3 O 0.32 , and CsV 3 Te 3 O 0.35 , whereas KV 3 Se 3 is structurally oxygen-free. Our synchrotron X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analyses indicate that the oxygen-free V 6 cluster octahedra in KV 3 Se 3 are highly distorted perpendicular to the chain direction even at room temperature, reducing the symmetry of the average structure from hexagonal P6 3 /m to monoclinic P2 1 /m. Our theoretical calculation supports this P2 1 /m distortion and suggests the structure further distorts to P2 1 or P2 1 /c at lower temperatures. In contrast, the oxygen-centered V-cluster in KV 3 Te 3 O 0.33 exhibits a V-3-triangle-trimerization along the chain direction. This feature is discernible from the local PDF and is consistent with lattice dynamical calculations based on density functional theory. Resistivity measurements indicate that KV 3 Se 3 exhibits metallic behavior, whereas a dramatic metal-semiconductor-metal transition emerges in KV 3 Te 3 O 6.33 , RbV 3 Te 3 O 0.32 , and CsV 3 Te 3 O 0.35 because of oxygen disorder and changes in local structure captured from our electronic structure analyses of the Fermi surface. Our investigation of the AV 3 Q 3 O 6 family demonstrates the importance of understanding local changes in structure driven by electronic instabilities, which can guide the search for new quantum materials in other low-dimensional cluster-compound materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Role of Transition Metals in Metal–Organic Frameworks as Nanoporous Ion Emitters for Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Thermal ionization mass spectroscopy (TIMS) is a powerful analytical technique that allows for precise determination of isotopic ratios. Analysis on low abundance samples, however, can be limited by the ionization efficiency. Following an investigation into a new type of metal-organic hybrid material devised to promote the emission of analyte ions (nano-PIES) and reduce traditional sample loading problems, this work probes the impact that changing the metal in the material has on the ionization of Uranium-238. Being derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), nano-PIEs inherit the tunability of the parent MOFs; the MOF-74 series has been well studied for probing the impact various framework metals (i.e., Mg, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd) have on material properties, and thus, a series of nano-PIEs with different metals were derived from an isoreticular MOF-74 series. In conclusion, trends in ionization efficiency were studied as a function of ionization potential, volatility, and work function of the framework metals as well as the mechanism of ionization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Accelerated Cu2O Reduction by Single Pt Atoms at the Metal-Oxide Interface§

The reducibility of metal oxides, when serving as the catalyst support or the active sites themselves, plays an important role in heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Here we present an integrated experimental and theoretical study that reveals how the addition of small amounts of atomically dispersed Pt at the metal/oxide interface dramatically enhances the reducibility of a Cu2O thin film by H2. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) results reveal that upon oxidation, a PtCu single-atom alloy (SAA) surface is covered by a thin Cu2O film and is therefore unable to dissociate H2. Despite this, in situ studies using ambient pressure (AP) XPS reveal that the presence of a small amount of Pt under the oxide layer can, at the single-atom limit, promote the reduction of Cu2O by H2 at room temperature. We build two density functional theory based surface models to better understand these experimental findings: A Cu2O/Cu(111)-like surface oxide layer, known as the ‘29’ oxide, in which Pt is alloyed into the Cu(111) surface as well as a PtCu SAA. Our calculations suggest that the increased activity is due to the presence of atomically dispersed Pt under the surface oxide layer, which weakens the Cu-O bonds in its immediate vicinity, thus making the interface between subsurface Pt and the surface oxide a nucleation site for the formation of metallic Cu. This initial step in the reduction process results in the presence of surface Pt atoms surrounded by metallic Cu patches, and the Pt atoms become active in H2 dissociation, which consequently accelerates the reduction of the oxide layer. This work demonstrates how isolated Pt atoms at the metal/oxide interface of a Cu-based catalyst accelerate the reduction of the oxide and, therefore, helps maintain the active, reduced state of the catalyst under reaction conditions, as is required for the synthesis of methanol from CO2 hydrogenation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Designing Glass and Crystalline Phases of Metal–Bis(acetamide) Networks to Promote High Optical Contrast

Owing to their high tunability and predictable structures, metal–organic materials offer a powerful platform to study glass formation and crystallization processes and to design glasses with unique properties. In this work, we report a novel series of glass-forming metal–ethylenebis(acetamide) networks that undergo reversible glass and crystallization transitions below 200 °C. The glass-transition temperatures, crystallization kinetics, and glass stability of these materials are readily tunable, either by synthetic modification or by liquid-phase blending, to form binary glasses. Pair distribution function (PDF) analysis reveals extended structural correlations in both single and binary metal–bis(acetamide) glasses and highlights the important role of metal–metal correlations during structural evolution across glass–crystal transitions. Notably, the glass and crystalline phases of a Co–ethylenebis(acetamide) binary network feature a large reflectivity contrast ratio of 4.8 that results from changes in the local coordination environment around Co centers. These results provide new insights into glass–crystal transitions in metal–organic materials and have exciting implications for optical switching, rewritable data storage, and functional glass ceramics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Cerium Dimer Anion and the Contribution of 4f Electrons to Lanthanide Metal–Metal Bonds

Direct metal−metal bonding between lanthanide atoms has been challenging to observe. We report on the first spectroscopic characterization of the cerium dimer anion (Ce 2 − ) and its neutral analog (Ce 2 ) in the gas phase, achieved using photoelectron and ultrafast spectroscopy combined with high-level quantum chemistry calculations. The electron affinity of Ce 2 is 0.24 eV, from which a dissociation energy of 2.21 eV is derived for Ce 2 − . The wave-packet dynamics upon photodetachment are studied and yield vibrational frequencies for electronically excited Ce 2 . Ce 2 − exhibits a conventional metal−metal triple bond with minimal contribution from 4f electrons. However, evidence of 4f-electron participation in bonding is identified for the low-energy excited states only 0.1 eV higher. The results challenge the assumption of inert 4f electrons in metal−metal bonding, and we propose a promising strategy for forming stable lanthanide−lanthanide bonds involving significant 4f-electron contributions.

Anions↗

Dynamic metal-linker bonds in metal–organic frameworks

Metal-linker bonds serve as the “glue” that binds metal ions to multitopic organic ligands in the porous materials known as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Despite ample evidence of bond lability in molecular and polymeric coordination compounds, the metal-linker bonds of MOFs were long assumed to be rigid and static. Given the importance of ligand fields in determining the behaviour of metal species, labile bonding in MOFs would help explain outstanding questions about MOF behaviour, while providing a design tool for controlling dynamic and stimuli-responsive optoelectronic, magnetic, catalytic, and mechanical phenomena. Here, in this work, we present emerging evidence that MOF metal-linker bonds exist in dynamic equilibria between weakly and tightly bond conformations, and that these equilibria respond to guest–host chemistry, drive phase change behavior, and exhibit size-dependence in MOF nanoparticles.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Predicting metal–metal interactions. II. Accelerating generalized schemes through physical insights

Operando-computational frameworks that integrate descriptors for catalyst stability within catalyst screening paradigms enable predictions of rates and selectivity on chemically faithful representations of nanoparticles under reaction conditions. These catalyst stability descriptors can be efficiently predicted by density functional theory (DFT)-based models. The alloy stability model, for example, predicts the stability of metal atoms in nanoparticles with site-by-site resolution. In this work, we use physical insights to present accelerated approaches of parameterizing this recently introduced alloy-stability model. These accelerated approaches meld quadratic functions for the energy of metal atoms in terms of the coordination number with linear correlations between model parameters and the cohesive energies of bulk metals. By interpolating across both the coordination number and chemical space, these accelerated approaches shrink the training set size for 12 fcc p- and d-block metals from 204 to as few as 24 DFT calculated total energies without sacrificing the accuracy of our model. We validate the accelerated approaches by predicting adsorption energies of metal atoms on extended surfaces and 147 atom cuboctahedral nanoparticles with mean absolute errors of 0.10 eV and 0.24 eV, respectively. This efficiency boost will enable a rapid and exhaustive exploration of the vast material space of transition metal alloys for catalytic applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Laser scattering by submicron droplets formed during the electrical explosion of thin metal wires

Abstract This paper presents the results of studying dispersed media formation during the electrical explosion of thin metal wires in vacuum by using low-current generators (~1–10 kA). Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the composition and structure of the corresponding explosion products as well as to the problem of their visualization using simultaneous laser interferometry and shadow imaging at two wavelengths (1.064 µ m and 0.532 µ m). Our findings indicate the important role in the visualization of the explosion products that belongs to multiple scattering by submicron droplets of dense condensed matter, which are mixed with metal vapor. The hypothesis on the existence of submicron droplets in the products of exploding metal wires correlates with the results obtained by soft x-ray radiography combined with a laser probing technique. Taking into account the multiple scattering by submicron droplets, it is possible to significantly clarify the parameters of the explosion products visualized via laser probing techniques as well as to gain a deeper insight into the physics behind the electrical wire explosion.

Physics↗

J eff = $\frac{3}{2}$ metallic phase and unconventional superconductivity in GaTa 4 Se 8

By means of density functional theory plus dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT) calculations and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments, we investigate the high-pressure phases of the spin-orbit-coupled Jeff = 3/2 insulator GaTa 4 Se 8 . Its metallic phase, derived from the Mott state by applying pressure, is found to carry J eff = 3/2 moments. The characteristic excitation peak in the RIXS spectrum maintains its destructive quantum interference of J eff at the Ta L2-edge up to 10.4 GPa. Our exact diagonalization based DFT+DMFT calculations including spin-orbit coupling also reveal that the J eff = 3/2 character can be clearly identified under high pressure. These results establish the intriguing nature of the correlated metallic magnetic phase, which represents the first confirmed example of J eff =3/2 moments residing in a metal. They also indicate that the pressure-induced superconductivity is likely unconventional and influenced by these J eff = 3/2 moments. Based on a self-energy analysis, we furthermore propose the possibility of doping-induced superconductivity related to a spin-freezing crossover.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Sulfur-enhanced dynamics of coinage metal(111) surfaces: Step edges versus terraces as locations for metal-sulfur complex formation

The propensity of trace amounts of sulfur adsorbed on coinage metal(111) surfaces to dramatically enhance surface dynamics has been demonstrated by STM observations of accelerated 2D island decay for Cu and Ag. It is generally accepted that this enhancement is due to the formation of adsorbed metal-sulfur complexes, which facilitate surface mass transport of the metal. These complexes were originally proposed to form on terraces following the extraction of metal atoms from step edges and subsequent combination with sulfur on the terraces. However, even when thermodynamically feasible, this mechanism may not be kinetically viable for some complexes due to limited coupling of the complex concentration to the surface diffusion flux of metal atoms. Focusing on the case of Cu, we assess various scenarios where complexes are formed either on terraces or instead directly at step edges, the latter being a new paradigm. In this work, a new pathway is proposed for the formation on terraces. A rich variety of structures incorporating S at step edges exist, which could provide a viable source for complexes, at least from a thermodynamic perspective. However, it is necessary to also assess the activation barrier for complex formation and detachment from step edges. This is facilitated by the nudged-elastic-band analysis of the minimum energy path for this process utilizing machine-learning derived potentials based on density functional theory energetics for the metal-sulfur system.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding the complexities of Li metal for solid-state Li-metal batteries

Li-metal anodes are a key enabling technology for next-generation high-energy batteries, including Li–S, Li-air, and high-voltage cathodes. While most research enabling Li metal focuses on electrolyte design, especially in the solid state, the nature of the Li metal itself has a significant impact on the performance of both solid- and liquid-based batteries. This has historically been understudied, but recent work has highlighted the importance of tailoring the Li metal to optimize high-performance batteries. This article focuses on the key aspects of Li metal that impact performance, including the method of synthesis, microstructure, surfaces, impurities, mechanics, and alloying strategies to optimize Li anode performance. Finally, the article will also briefly look at the impact of long-term cycling on the evolution of Li-metal anodes in solid-state batteries and highlight key areas of needed research.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Data from: Short-Term Inhibition and Long-Term Enhancement of IrreversibleTrace Metal Binding to Goethite in Multi-Metal Systems

These files include the data used in all figures from the following paper: Short-Term Inhibition and Long-Term Enhancement of Irreversible Trace Metal Binding to Goethite in Multi-Metal Systems Below is a brief description of each of the figures and associated data. Fig 1. Ni adsorption isotherms to goethite in the presence and absence of Zn and Cd Fig 2. % of Ni, Zn, and Cd exchanged as a function of time in isotope exchange experiments conducted after 2 days, 30 days, and 60 days aging. Fig. 3. This shows the % of Ni, Cd, and Zn in single metal and mixed metal systems that is non-exchangeable, both in units of % non-exchangeable and in micromoles of metal per gram of goethite. Fig. 4. Particle size distributions of Ni-Zn and Ni-Cd systems after aging. Fig 5. Ni and Zn XANES fits for Ni-Cd and Ni-Zn systems after 30 and 60 days aging. Linear combination fits were performed between freshly adsorbed and incorporated phases (synthesized as Ni- or Zn-substituted goethite) to determine the proportions of each. Figure S1. Dissolved Metal Concentrations at the Start of Isotope Exchange Figure S2. Reactor pH with Aging Figure S3. Dissolved Cd and Ni Concentrations during Isotope Exchange Figure S4. Dissolved Zn and Ni Concentrations during Isotope Exchange Figure S5. Tracer Mole Fractions in Ni-Zn Isotope Exchange Experiments Figure S6. Tracer Mole Fractions in Ni-Cd Isotope Exchange Experiments

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The Parameterization of Solid Metal-Liquid Metal Partitioning of Siderophile Elements

The composition of a metallic liquid can significantly affect the partitioning behavior of elements. For example, some experimental solid metal-liquid metal partition coefficients have been shown to increase by three orders of magnitude with increasing S-content of the metallic liquid. Along with S, the presence of other light elements, such as P and C, has also been demonstrated to affect trace element partitioning behavior. Understanding the effects of metallic composition on partitioning behavior is important for modeling the crystallization of magmatic iron meteorites and the chemical effects of planetary differentiation. It is thus useful to have a mathematical expression that parameterizes the partition coefficient as a function of the composition of the metal. Here we present a revised parameterization method, which builds on the theory of the current parameterization of Jones and Malvin and which better handles partitioning in multi-light-element systems.

Chabot, N. L.↗

Diffusion of Siderophile Elements in Fe Metal: Application to Zoned Metal Grains in Chondrites

The distribution of highly siderophile elements (HSE) in planetary materials is controlled mainly by metal. Diffusion processes can control the distribution or re-distribution of these elements within metals, yet there is little systematic or appropriate diffusion data that can be used to interpret HSE concentrations in such metals. Because our understanding of isotope chronometry, redox processes, kamacite/taenite-based cooling rates, and metal grain zoning would be enhanced with diffusion data, we have measured diffusion coefficients for Ni, Co, Ga, Ge, Ru, Pd, Ir and Au in Fe metal from 1200 to 1400 C and 1 bar and 10 kbar. These new data on refractory and volatile siderophile elements are used to evaluate the role of diffusional processes in controlling zoning patterns in metal-rich chondrites.

Righter, K.↗