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At least 1,459 records · Page 81

Nafion Inhibits Polysulfide Crossover in Hybrid Nonaqueous Redox Flow Batteries

Here, we report on the effectiveness of sodium-exchanged Nafion membranes for inhibiting polysulfide crossover during redox flow battery operation. The solubility of polysulfides allows them to be used as a high-capacity catholyte for nonaqueous redox flow batteries (NARFB). The NARFB cathode capacity is controlled by the total tank catholyte volume and polysulfide concentration and, as such, is independent of polysulfide adsorption sites on carbon fibers or nanotubes as found within traditional Na or Li–S batteries. However, one of the major barriers to the realization of polysulfide NARFBs is associated with developing a robust membrane that has minimal polysulfide crossover under the operating conditions. We found that sodium-exchanged Nafion membrane separators effectively inhibit polysulfide crossover within a Na–sulfur NARFB. These membranes significantly improve both capacity retention (70%) and Coulombic efficiencies (99%) after 50 cycles. Commercial porous membranes showed a large crossover as detected by UV–vis spectroscopy and resulted in low capacity retention (20%) and Coulombic efficiency (74%) after 45 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements highlighted the trade-off between innate reactivity and ionic conduction of the membranes. The results show that dense, single ion conducting Nafion enables a long cycle life; however, it reacts with Na metal to form a resistive passivation layer and increases the cell resistance. On the contrary, the open pore structure of Celgard allows for higher current charge/discharge, and its chemical nature is compatible with Na; however, it has a high degree of polysulfide crossover.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Revealing Intermetallic Active Sites of PtNi Nanocatalysts for Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction

Bimetallic nanoparticles have gained great interest due to their potential applications in catalysis. By combining Lattice Boltzmann Modeling (LBM), Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, and kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation, here we rationalize the superior performance of supported Pt-Ni alloy nanostructures over Pt and Ni alone during the reverse Water Gas Shift (rWGS) reaction, which was observed previously. The LBM simulation including the diffusion and flow of the reacting gas molecules within the supporting nanoporous channels in SBA-15 indicates that the simple combination of contributions from Ni and Pt alone is not enough to result in the observed promotion in rWGS activity and selectivity of the Pt-Ni alloy. Instead, the synergy between Pt and Ni via a unique intermetallic motif is responsible according to the DFT and KMC simulation. In conclusion, compared to the monometallic counterparts, the intermetallic-introduced ensemble effect at the low-coordinated Pt-Ni hybrid site of Pt-Ni alloy nanocatalysts enables the enhanced activation of CO 2 and promoted removal of CO/H 2 O as gas phase product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

CsO x Nanostructures on Au(111): Morphology- and Size-dependent Activity for the Water–Gas Shift Reaction

Alkali oxides are typically used as promoters of heterogeneous catalysts for the water–gas shift (WGS; H 2 O + CO → H 2 + CO 2 ) reaction. On Au(111), CsO x exhibits diverse nanostructures at varying coverages, as revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Clusters of cesium oxide (Cs 2 O 2 ) nucleate at elbow sites of the Au(111) herringbone when θ Cs is less than 0.1 ML. Subsequently, these clusters transform into two-dimensional (2D) islands (Cs 2 O, Cs 2 O 2 , CsO 2 ) as the cesium coverage increases (θ Cs > 0.1 ML). Both types of CsO x nanostructures enable the WGS process on Au(111). The highest activity was seen for the cesium oxide clusters which facilitated the partial dissociation of water and binding of CO. The CO ads and OH ads groups were not strongly bound and probably reacted to yield a short-lived HOCO intermediate that led to gaseous H 2 and CO 2 . The 2D islands of CsO x also enabled the WGS but their efficiency was reduced due to the formation of cesium hydroxide compounds (limiting mobility of OH groups) and the generation of CO 3 and C species (blocking of active centers). The fact that the performance of the CsO x /Au(111) catalysts changed dramatically with variations in the chemical properties of the CsO x nanostructures indicates that the alkali oxide was an integral part of the active phase, playing a central role in the activation and conversion of the reactants. To attach the label of “promoter” to CsO x is a simplification that does not help in the design and optimization of catalysts for C1 chemistry. In conclusion, to achieve a rational design, one must consider the structural and chemical properties of the alkali oxide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

AP-XPS Study of the Reaction of O 2 and CO 2 with Zn–Au(111) Surface Alloys: Activation of O–O/C–O Bonds and the Formation of ZnO

Synchrotron-based ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) was used to study the dissociation of O 2 and CO 2 on Zn-Au(111) alloys which contained 0.2-0.3 monolayers of zinc. Although Au(111) is inert, the alloys displayed a high activity for the cleavages of O-O and C-O bonds at room temperature with the formation of ZnO x species. Dissociative adsorption of O 2 at 300 K destroyed the alloys and the results of AP-XPS pointed to the co-existence of two types of oxygen species on the surface: ZnO x and chemisorbed O atoms (O chem ) on Au or the Au-ZnO interface. Annealing from room temperature to 600 K induced a O chem → ZnO x transformation that reflected the poor stability of O atoms on Au(111). The Zn-Au(111) systems exhibited a reactivity towards CO 2 that was much larger than that seen for Au(111), Cu(111) or surfaces of late transition metals like, Ni, Pd or Pt. At 300 K, CO 2 underwent partial dissociation depositing large amounts of O chem on the surface with minor formation of ZnO x . In addition, the deposited O chem reacted with CO 2 to form surface carbonate groups. Dosing of CO 2 at 500-600 K mainly led to the formation of ZnO x and the surface carbonate almost disappeared. In the presence of hydrogen, i.e. reaction feeds with a CO 2 to H 2 ratio of 1:3, the surface chemistry at 300 K was very similar to that seen for pure CO 2 with the formation of ZnO x and carbonate groups. In contrast, at 500-600 K, reaction with hydrogen induced the removal of ZnO x and CO 3 /HCOO species. Finally, our AP-XPS results are consistent with the idea that CO 2 hydrogenation on AuZn alloys involves a redox process where there is sequential oxidation by CO 2 and reduction by H 2 to yield methanol.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Oxidation of Silicon Carbide with Atomic Oxygen through the Passive-to-Active Transition

The inelastic and reactive scattering dynamics of O( 3 P) atoms on a 6H-silicon carbide (SiC) surface were investigated as a function of temperature with a molecular beam-surface scattering technique that employed a rotatable mass spectrometer detector. One set of experiments used a pulsed hyperthermal beam that produced ~8 km s –1 O atoms, and another set of experiments used a continuous beam that contained O atoms with a nominal velocity of ~2 km s –1 . When exposed to the relatively low-flux, pulsed hyperthermal O-atom beam, a passive oxide layer on the SiC that formed at lower temperatures decomposed as the temperature increased above 1673 K. Instead of entering an active oxidation regime, a graphitic layer formed on the surface and largely protected the underlying SiC from incoming O atoms. Investigation of the oxide decomposition without O-atom bombardment revealed volatile Si and SiO products at the moment that the oxide decomposed, implying that Si sublimation occurs concurrently with oxide decomposition. In the experiment with the continuous (higher flux) O-atom beam, volatile SiO and CO products were observed after the passive oxide decomposed, indicating that active oxidation was reached. Finally, the results of this study provide evidence for the importance of Si sublimation within the active oxidation regime. Above the passive-to-active transition temperature, Si sublimation is an ongoing process, and continuous active oxidation will only occur if sufficient oxygen reacts with the surface to produce SiO more quickly than a graphitic layer can form. Thus, accurate models of SiC ablation by atomic oxygen must account for multiple competing mechanisms that depend on the surface temperature and incident O-atom flux.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Methodology of Atomic Force Microscopy Visualization of Electrode–Electrolyte Interfaces

Electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) provides unprecedented insights into the microstructure of electrode–electrolyte interfaces during electrochemical reactions. However, performing EC-AFM measurements has many challenges, for example, drift, contamination, and probe degradation. We present solutions to these experimental issues through electrochemical cell design and carefully chosen experimental parameters. The possibility that the probes can react with the interface during scanning, generating false-positive electrochemical dynamics, is discussed as an example of the challenge of high-fidelity EC-AFM measurement. Here, we demonstrate this effect in highly ordered pyrolytic graphite and show that we could use electrochemical control of the AFM probe to enable high-fidelity in situ AFM visualization of solid–liquid interfaces during electrochemical reactions.

Electrochemical cells↗

First-Principles Study of Molecular Hydrogen Activation by Defects in Boron Nitride

Here, we used density functional theory simulations in combination with ab initio thermodynamics to determine the H 2 partial pressure (p H2 )-dependent energetics associated with H 2 activation and recovery at various defect sites in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN). We found that some defects are very reactive with hydrogen, thereby definitely trapping hydrogen in defective h-BN. However, depending on hydrogen partial pressure, less reactive defect sites can be populated. Because of the lower binding capability of these sites, they would allow hydrogen to be recycled and recovered. For small defect sizes, we found that hydrogen preferentially binds to nitrogen sites by forming N–H bonds, and if no N sites are available then boron sites would be the next to bind hydrogen. Hydrogen dissociation via frustrated Lewis pair is found to be more favorable than forming only N–H bonds but only if the defect size is large enough to accommodate steric effects. For specific conditions such as T = 400 K, p H2 = 1 bar, and only considering one molecular H 2 per defect, three defects, namely, the N monovacancy, 3V(1B2N), and hexagonal 6V(3B3N) could play a role in both the activation and recycling of H 2 as they would be reacting enough to allow a favorable splitting of H 2 while not binding too strongly to allow its recovery. More broadly, a range of p H2 and hydrogen loading conditions were investigated for different types of defects and the finding suggests that p H2 could be used to fine-tune the Gibbs free energy of hydrogenation, thereby allowing several types of defects at different hydrogen loading contents to play a role in the activation/recovery process of H 2 in defective h-BN.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Atomistic Insights into the Reactive Diffusion of CO 2 in Guanidine-Based Facilitated Transport Membranes

The pressing need to address climate change has led to significant advancements in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture technologies. Notably, facilitated transport membranes (FTMs) are distinguished by their exceptional selectivity and permeance, attributed to their reversible chemical reactions with CO 2 . This study, for the first time, sheds light on the reactive diffusion mechanism of CO 2 in FTMs, utilizing 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG) as a mobile carrier. Specifically, state-ofthe- art molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, augmented by a reparameterized reactive force field (ReaxFF) capable of describing atomistic interactions and reaction pathways, are conducted to investigate the transport of CO 2 in TMG. The analysis of mean squared displacement (MSD) and diffusion coefficients reveals a clear hierarchy in the mobility of reaction components. Our findings highlight a unique hopping diffusion mechanism between bicarbonate ions and TMG molecules, increasing the diffusivity of reacted CO 2 by 1.4 times. The hopping events observed not only enhance our understanding of molecular mobility but also offer a means to boost the performance of FTMs in CO 2 capture applications. Overall, this research lays the groundwork for the future design of FTMs with optimal carrier properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Near-Infrared Emission from Sulfur Heteroatom Defects in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Quantum defects introduced into single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that support near-infrared emission are promising candidates for many applications. Here, we present a type of quantum defect in which sulfur atoms are incorporated into the crystal lattice of SWCNTs through their reactions with a mild reducing agent, sodium dithionite. When radical anions generated by sodium dithionites react with (6,5)-SWCNTs, two new emission features emerge at 1120 and 1250 nm. Comparing these spectral features with density functional theory calculation results, we attribute them to defects with episulfide or thioether structures. Here, by investigating the influences of reaction conditions including reactant concentration, light irradiation, and solvent type, we identify the reaction mechanism between SWCNTs and sodium dithionite and achieve good control over defect densities. Due to the intrinsic reactivity of sulfur species, the sulfur-containing quantum defects discovered here may facilitate the introduction of more complex and functionally diverse moieties into SWCNTs.

Anions↗

An Atomistic Study of Reactivity in Solid-State Electrolyte Interphase Formation for Li/Li7P3S11

Lithium metal batteries offer superior volumetric and gravimetric specific capacities compared to those based on traditional graphite anodes. Although advancements in solid-state electrolytes address safety concerns, challenges remain, particularly regarding interphase formation in lithium metal anodes. This work presents a computational framework based on high-throughput first-principles density functional theory and machine-learning interatomic potentials (MLIPs) including automated iterative, active learning to enable robust computational exploration of interphase formation between lithium metal anodes and an inorganic solid-state electrolyte. As a demonstration, we apply the framework to a Li/Li7P3S11 interface and find that it accurately identifies the experimentally observed, thermodynamically stable interphase products as well as their overall spatial arrangement within a heterogeneous, amorphous layered structure, with Li2S domains of nanocrystallinity. Our simulations show two stages, a fast and slow diffusion reaction regime, that corroborate the relative phase formation rate of Li x P, Li2S, and Li3P. Using the Onsager transport theory, we capture time-dependent ionic diffusion within the reacting interface, including cross-correlation effects. We found that cross-correlation effects between Li-P and P-S ionic motion significantly influence P-ion diffusion, making it highly sensitive to the local environment and potentially leading to "kinetic trapping" of Li-P phases. The passivation of the interface is shown as the ionic fluxes all approach zero, effectively halting interphase growth.

Diffusion↗

Radiolytic Production of Radical Species in Gibbsite Doped with Iron and Chromium Ions

Gibbsite (aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH) 3 ) nanoparticles, synthesized from aluminum chloride or aluminum nitrate, were doped with metal ions, Cr(III) or Fe(III), and then irradiated with γ rays to determine the effect of the dopants on radiolytic hydrogen (H 2 ) production and radical generation. The addition of Cr(III) and Fe(III) ions at concentrations of 0.5% or 5% decreased the concentration of stable oxygen-centered radicals, with the strongest suppression in Cr(III) doped samples. A decrease in H 2 yields was observed with increasing Cr(III) or Fe(III) concentrations, with the greatest effect observed for the Fe(III)-doped samples. Reduction of the Cr(III) to Cr(II) and Fe(III) to Fe(II) was also observed, probably due to scavenging of radiolytically produced electrons. However, further processes differ for Fe(III)- and Cr(III)-doped systems. Both ions are reduced by the free electrons, leading to a decrease in H 2 production, but they react differently with the oxygen radicals. Cr(III) can be oxidized by oxygen radicals, whereas Fe(III) cannot. Fe(II) can interact with peroxides, possible products of intermediate oxygen oxidation, converting back to Fe(III) and leaving oxygen radicals behind. These oxidation reactions lead to a difference in the observed relative effects on H 2 yields and oxygen radical production between Cr(III)- and Fe(III)-doped gibbsite. In conclusion, the connection between electron scavenging and H 2 production indicates that radiolytically produced electrons are precursors to H 2 .

Anions↗

Joint Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Electronic, Magnetic, and Lattice Phonon Dynamics Properties of Ca x Fe y O z Compounds Applied to CO 2 Capture

Unleashing energy innovation ensures a resilient and reliable energy supply. There is a critical need for the development of new carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) captors that have improved energy efficiency accompanied by lower capital and operational costs to ensure abundant, affordable, and secure energy. Among solid materials, CaO is a good CO 2 sorbent for capture technology due to its wide availability and low cost. However, CaO also suffers from some disadvantages, such as high calcination temperature, decreasing capability due to sintering, attrition, and reaction with SO x and NO x . In this study, we employed an ab initio thermodynamic approach and experimental measurements to improve its CO 2 capture performance during the cycles. To do so, we explored the electronic, magnetic, and lattice dynamic properties of a series of calcium ferrites (Ca x Fe y O z ) and applied them for CO 2 capture. Our results showed that all of them can thermodynamically react with CO 2 to form CaCO 3 and iron oxides. Compared to pure CaO capturing CO 2 , CaFe 3 O 4 , CaFe 2 O 4 , and Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 could shift the CO 2 regeneration temperature to a lower range. The experimental measurements showed that CaFeO 2 is a good CO 2 captor with or without the presence of an O 2 presence. The calculated thermodynamic properties of Ca x Fe y O z capturing the CO 2 reactions can be used to find their operational temperature ranges for different CO 2 capture technologies.

CO2 capture↗

Energy Barriers for H 2 Uptake and Release by Defects in Boron Nitride

Density functional theory simulations (DFT) have been used in combination with the climbing image nudged elastic band method (CI-NEB) to determine the energy barriers required to dissociate H 2 at four types of h-BN defects and evaluate the potential for reacted H species to hop to adjacent available sites. The defects were selected based on previous work in which ab initio thermodynamics was used to identify specific defects with optimal thermodynamics for reversible H 2 storage, that is, the defects would dissociate molecular H 2 while not binding H species too strongly so that hydrogen release is favorable. The four defects investigated are the N and B monovacancies, which only offer either B or N defective sites respectively, as well as larger cluster vacancy defects named 3V(1B2N) and hexagonal 6V(3B3N), which present a mixture of B and N defect sites available for H binding. While homogeneous H 2 dissociation by B and N monovacancies have energy barriers larger than 0.4 eV, we found that mixed BN terminated defects have energy barrier lower than 0.4 eV for H 2 dissociation. In particular, H 2 dissociation by the hexagonal 6V(3B3N) defect, exclusively made of Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs), is almost barrierless. The energy barrier for subsequent H hopping to available adjacent B or N sites of the defect were also calculated. It was found that the hopping of H species generally involves high energy barriers ranging from 0.26 eV to 2.57 eV. In conclusion, this work completes previous thermodynamic theoretical investigations and provides a more comprehensive picture of H 2 reaction with defective h-BN for potential H 2 storage and recovery.

Sassi, Michel J. [Pacific Northwest National Labor↗

Transient Studies of CO 2 Adsorption over CeO 2 Nanostructures with In Situ DRIFTS and Modulation Excitation

Experiments of in-situ DRIFTS combined with modulation excitation (ME) spectroscopy showed a rich surface chemistry associated with the adsorption of CO 2 on nanocubes and nanospheres of ceria. The nanocubes exposed faces with a (100) orientation, with the edges and corners displaying (110) and (111) orientations, respectively. Here, the nanospheres mainly contained ceria (111) and (110) planes. DFT calculations showed that CO 2 is a multidentate adsorbate on ceria that can undergo changes in its bonding configuration depending on the chemical environment. At 250 °C, a temperature typically used for the conversion of CO 2 into oxygenates, alkanes and olefins, CO 2 reacted with O centers or OH groups present on the nanocubes and nanospheres to yield bi- and tri-dentate carbonates, hydroxycarbonates, and formates. Both nanostructures were highly reactive and a dynamic equilibrium was established: carbonate species were rapidly generated upon the injection of CO 2 and they decomposed upon the removal of CO 2 from the gas phase. In the case of the ceria nanocubes, the adsorption/desorption processes were essentially reversible, opening the door to catalytic transformations. A larger concentration of defects in the ceria nanospheres led to strongly bound carbonates and formates that may be spectators, site blockers, or surface modifiers in catalytic processes. In the ME studies, additional intermediates were detected, and it was clear that the response of surface species to the presence/absence of CO 2 was highly dependent on the morphology of the ceria nanostructures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Light Exposure Promotes Degradation of Intermediates and Growth of Phosphine-Ligated Gold Clusters

Subnanometer clusters exhibit unique properties not observed at the bulk or nanometer scale. Many applications, however, require clusters to be monodisperse in size and composition.While substantial progress has been made empirically on producing specific-sized gold clusters using different ligands, the mechanisms of cluster formation remain insufficiently understood. Using high mass-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), we characterized the formation of cationic triphenylphosphine-ligated gold clusters [Aux(PPh3)y z+] in solution. Our data provides evidence that small hydrogen-containing intermediate “building blocks” (i.e., Au2(PPh3)2H+, Au4(PPh3)4H+, and Au7(PPh3)7H5 2+) are responsible for the growth of larger gold clusters (i.e., Au6(PPh3)6 2+ and Au8(PPh3)7 2+) over several hours. In addition, intermediate degradation and cluster growth are shown to be dependent on irradiation of the reacting solution with light. Specifically, the rate of growth of large clusters is demonstrated to scale with the intensity of light exposure. Complementary theoretical calculations were also performed that provide molecular-level insight into the nature of the bonding between the hydrogens and gold atoms in the intermediate Au-phosphine clusters. Collectively, our joint experimental and theoretical findings advance the understanding of the factors at play in the size-selective synthesis of ligated gold clusters in solution.

Hewitt, Michael A.↗

Ship-in-a-Bottle Synthesis of High Concentration of N2 Molecules in a Cage-Structured Electride

We report the formation of neutral nitrogen molecules in the cages of [Ca12Al14O32]2+ (C12A7) framework compensated by extra-framework anions. NH3 treatment of C12A7 electride (C12A7:e–) at 800 °C leads to the formation of N2 and NH2– species in the C12A7 cages. N2 and NHx species in the cages are identified using the Raman spectroscopy of 14NH3 and 15NH3-treated C12A7:e–. The concentration of H and N in the C12A7 cages after NH3 treatment is ~1021 cm–3. We propose a two-step mechanism, supported by density functional theory (DFT) modeling, of N2 incorporation into the C12A7 cages: incorporation of NH2– formed from decomposition of NH3 at C12A7:e– surface followed by the NH2- species reacting to form N2 molecules. Encapsulation of neutral molecules, as opposed to negatively charged species reported in C12A7 previously, offers new opportunities for trapping and storing gaseous substances in nano-porous materials.

Nakao, Takuya↗

X-ray Free Electron Laser-Induced Synthesis of ε -Iron Nitride at High Pressures

The ultrafast synthesis of ε-Fe 3 N 1+x in a diamond-anvil cell (DAC) from Fe and N 2 under pressure was observed using serial exposures of an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL). When the sample at 5 GPa was irradiated by a pulse train separated by 443 ns, the estimated sample temperature at the delay time was above 1400 K, confirmed by in situ transformation of α- to γ-iron. Ultimately, the Fe and N 2 reacted uniformly throughout the beam path to form Fe 3 N 1.33 , as deduced from its established equation of state (EOS). We thus demonstrate that the activation energy provided by intense X-ray exposures in an XFEL can be coupled with the source time structure to enable exploration of the time-dependence of reactions under high-pressure conditions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Complexing Agent-Assisted Membraneless Zinc–Iodine Aqueous Batteries

A membrane is required for conventional zinc–iodine aqueous batteries, since soluble polyiodides cross over to the anode side and react with zinc metal spontaneously. Making the battery membraneless increases ion transport and reduces its cost and overall footprint. In this paper, a membraneless Zn–I 2 aqueous battery is demonstrated, employing a complexing agent, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium iodide (MBPI), to promote the formation of I 5 – -containing, phase-separated polyiodides upon charging, to minimize self-discharge and suppress Zn dendrite growth. With an additional 0.3 M MBPI in 4 M ZnI 2 electrolyte, the membraneless battery achieved 65 cycles with >85% Coulombic efficiency, whereas the MBPI-free control failed immediately. Additionally, a volumetric capacity of 14.3 Ah L –1 was achieved, surpassing those of most membraneless batteries reported to date regardless of redox chemistry, and underscores the potential of complexing agents in simplifying the architecture of conventional Zn–I 2 flow batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗