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Results for “PHASE STABILITY”

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 1,567 records · Page 87
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Development of TRPN dendrimer-modified disordered mesoporous silica for CO{sub 2} capture

Highlights: • A novel series of TRPN dendrimers are synthesized. • Structurally disordered mesoporous silica was used to develop the CO{sub 2} adsorbent. • The CO{sub 2} adsorption capacity is relatively high. • The sorbent exhibits a high stability after 12 cycling runs. • The sorbent achieves complete desorption at low temperature (60 °C). - Abstract: A novel series of tri(3-aminopropyl) amine (TRPN) dendrimers were synthesized and impregnated on structurally disordered mesoporous silica (DMS) to generate CO{sub 2} adsorbents (TS). The physicochemical and adsorption properties of the adsorbents before and after dendrimer modification were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N{sub 2} adsorption–desorption (N{sub 2}-BET) techniques. CO{sub 2} adsorption–desorption tests indicated that the sorbent demonstrates high CO{sub 2} adsorption capacity (138.1 mg g{sup −1} for G1 sample TS-G1-3CN-50 and 91.7 mg g{sup −1} for G2 sample TS-G2-6CN-50), and can completely desorb CO{sub 2} under vacuum at 60 °C. Its CO{sub 2} adsorption capacity at 25 °C increases with the amine loading, achieving the highest adsorption capacity (140.6 mg g{sup −1} for TS-G1-3CN) at 60%. The developed TS materials exhibited excellent cycling stability. After 12 consecutive adsorption–desorption runs, TS-G1-3CN-50 shows an adsorption capacity of 136.0 mg g{sup −1}, retaining 98.5% of its original value.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Xenon doping of glow discharge polymer by ion implantation

We demonstrate controlled doping of a glow discharge polymer by implantation with 500 keV Xe ions at room temperature. The Xe retention exhibits a threshold behavior, with a threshold dose of {approx}2 x 10{sup 14} cm{sup -2}. Doping is accompanied by irradiation-induced changes in the polymer composition, including gradual H loss and a more complex non-monotonic behavior of the O concentration. The matrix composition saturates at C{sub 0.77}H{sub 0.22}O{sub 0.01} for Xe doses above {approx}5 x 10{sup 14} cm{sup -2} and up to the maximum dose studied (5 x 10{sup 15} cm{sup -2}). The retention mechanism is attributed to the modification of the polymer from a chain-like to clustered ring structure. The dopant profile and the elemental composition of the implanted polymer exhibit good stability upon thermal annealing up to 305 deg. C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Atomistic mechanisms governing structural stability change of zinc antimony thermoelectrics

The structural stability of thermoelectric materials is a subject of growing importance for their energy harvesting applications. Here, we study the microscopic mechanisms governing the structural stability change of zinc antimony at its working temperature, using molecular dynamics combined with experimental measurements of the electrical and thermal conductivity. Our results show that the temperature-dependence of the thermal and electrical transport coefficients is strongly correlated with a structural transition. This is found to be associated with a relaxation process, in which a group of Zn atoms migrates between interstitial sites. This atom migration gradually leads to a stabilizing structural transition of the entire crystal framework, and then results in a more stable crystal structure of β–Zn{sub 4}Sb{sub 3} at high temperature.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Self-assembled Ag nanoparticle network passivated by a nano-sized ZnO layer for transparent and flexible film heaters

We investigated a self-assembled Ag nanoparticle network electrode passivated by a nano-sized ZnO layer for use in high-performance transparent and flexible film heaters (TFFHs). The low temperature atomic layer deposition of a nano-sized ZnO layer effectively filled the uncovered area of Ag network and improved the current spreading in the self-assembled Ag network without a change in the sheet resistance and optical transmittance as well as mechanical flexibility. The time-temperature profiles and heat distribution analysis demonstrate that the performance of the TFTH with the ZnO/Ag network is superior to that of a TFFH with Ag nanowire electrodes. In addition, the TFTHs with ZnO/Ag network exhibited better stability than the TFFH with a bare Ag network due to the effective current spreading through the nano-sized ZnO layer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ion implantation of erbium into polycrystalline cadmium telluride

The specific features of the ion implantation of polycrystalline cadmium telluride with grains 20–1000 μm in dimensions are studied. The choice of erbium is motivated by the possibility of using rare-earth elements as luminescent “probes” in studies of the defect and impurity composition of materials and modification of the composition by various technological treatments. From the microphotoluminescence data, it is found that, with decreasing crystal-grain dimensions, the degree of radiation stability of the material is increased. Microphotoluminescence topography of the samples shows the efficiency of the rare-earth probe in detecting regions with higher impurity and defect concentrations, including regions of intergrain boundaries.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Robustness of the Edge States in Graphene Quantum Hall System: Does the Chiral Symmetry Degraded by t' Matter?

While usual edge states in the quantum Hall effect reside between adjacent Landau levels, QHE in graphene has a peculiar edge mode at E = 0 that resides right within the n = 0 Landau level as protected by the chiral symmetry. In real graphene, small but finite second-neighbor hopping exists, which degrades the chiral symmetry in the bipartite lattice. Here we have found that the edge mode is again embedded in the n = 0 bulk Landau level despite the broken chiral symmetry due to the second-neighbor hopping, where the charge is accumulated along the zigzag edge. Hence the behavior of the zero mode has turned out to be distinguished from the case of zero magnetic field, which is related to the stability of topological compensation. This charge density accumulated along the zigzag edge can be measured with an STM imaging in magnetic fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of alkali addition on DC conductivity and thermal properties of vanadium-bismo-borate glasses

The DC Conductivity and Differential Thermal Analysis of glasses with composition (30−x)Li{sub 2}O⋅xV{sub 2}O{sub 5}⋅20Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}⋅50B{sub 2}O{sub 3}(x=15, 10, 5) has been carried out in order to study the effect of replacing the Transition Metal Oxide (TMO) with alkali oxide. A significant increase in the DC conductivity has been observed with increase in alkali content. Again the thermal measurements have shown the decrease in both glass transition temperature (T{sub g}) and crystallization temperature (T{sub x}). The Glass Stability (GS) and Glass Forming Ability (GFA) have also been calculated and these also were found to decrease with increase in alkali oxide content at the cost of TMO.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2018

Attosecond transient absorption instrumentation for thin film materials: Phase transitions, heat dissipation, signal stabilization, timing correction, and rapid sample rotation

We present an extreme ultraviolet (XUV) transient absorption apparatus tailored to attosecond and femtosecond measurements on bulk solid-state thin-film samples, specifically when the sample dynamics are sensitive to heating effects. The setup combines methodology for stabilizing sub-femtosecond time-resolution measurements over 48 h and techniques for mitigating heat buildup in temperature-dependent samples. Single-point beam stabilization in pump and probe arms and periodic time-zero reference measurements are described for accurate timing and stabilization. A hollow-shaft motor configuration for rapid sample rotation, raster scanning capability, and additional diagnostics are described for heat mitigation. Heat transfer simulations performed using a finite element analysis allow comparison of sample rotation and traditional raster scanning techniques for 100 Hz pulsed laser measurements on vanadium dioxide, a material that undergoes an insulator-to-metal transition at a modest temperature of 340 K. Experimental results are presented confirming that the vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) sample cannot cool below its phase transition temperature between laser pulses without rapid rotation, in agreement with the simulations. The findings indicate the stringent conditions required to perform rigorous broadband XUV time-resolved absorption measurements on bulk solid-state samples, particularly those with temperature sensitivity, and elucidate a clear methodology to perform them.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2014

Characterization and dispersibility of improved thermally stable amide functionalized graphene oxide

Graphical abstract: Improved thermal stability and surface study of amide functionalized graphene oxide. - Highlights: • Amide functionalized graphene oxides (AGOs) were synthesized from aniline, 2-aminothiazole and 2-aminopyrimidine. • Achieved enhancement in thermal stability of AGOs as compare to GO. • AGOs are found to be highly dispersible in water, DMSO and DMF. • Dispersibility is stable for more than two and half months. - Abstract: Amidation of graphene oxide (GO) with aniline, 2-aminothiazole and 2-aminopyrimidine results in the synthesis of amide functionalized graphene oxides (AGOs). Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the properties of AGOs. It was found that, contrary to GO, AGOs are soluble in water, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide and can be stabilized for months. TGA of AGOs shows the major weight loss above 670 °C as compared to GO in which significant weight loss occurs near 200 °C. Thus AGOs show strong improvement in thermal properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Sulfur immobilization and lithium storage on defective graphene: A first-principles study

Motivated by the recent progresses and remaining technical challenges in Li-S battery, we employ defective graphene as a prototype cathode framework to illustrate how battery performance is influenced by the mesoporous carbon materials. We show that the immobilization of S unavoidably sacrifices its ability to further interact with Li, which leads to an enhanced cycle life but a decreased capacity. Based on our calculated results, we suggest a suitable S binding-energy range of ∼4–5 eV to balance the battery stability and capability under thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. Our results may promote the understanding and architecture design of Li-S battery.

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

Enhancement of thermal stability and water resistance in yttrium-doped GeO{sub 2}/Ge gate stack

We have systematically investigated the material and electrical properties of yttrium-doped GeO{sub 2} (Y-GeO{sub 2}) on Germanium (Ge). A significant improvement of both thermal stability and water resistance were demonstrated by Y-GeO{sub 2}/Ge stack, compared to that of pure GeO{sub 2}/Ge stack. The excellent electrical properties of Y-GeO{sub 2}/Ge stacks with low D{sub it} were presented as well as enhancement of dielectric constant in Y-GeO{sub 2} layer, which is beneficial for further equivalent oxide thickness scaling of Ge gate stack. The improvement of thermal stability and water resistance are discussed both in terms of the Gibbs free energy lowering and network modification of Y-GeO{sub 2}.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermal and mechanical properties of TPU/PBT reinforced by carbon fiber

In this study, thermal, mechanical properties and processability were performed on a series of carbon fiber (CF) filled thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/poly (butylene terephthalate) (PBT) composites to identify the effect of CF weight fraction on the properties of TPU/PBT. Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) show that CFs are uniformly dispersed in TPU/PBT matrix and there are no agglomerations. Melt flow index (MFI) show that the melt viscosity increased with the CF loading. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the introduction of CF into organic materials tend to improve their thermal stability. The mechanical properties indicated that tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus, improved with an increase in CF loading, but the impact strength decreased by the loading of CF.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ab initio calculation of structural stability, electronic and optical properties of Ag{sub 2}Se

The structural stability, electronic and optical properties of Ag{sub 2}Se compound is studied using ab initio packages. Ag{sub 2}Se is found to crystallize in orthorhombic structure with two different space groups i.e. P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} (No. 19) and P222{sub 1} (No. 17). For this compound in these two space groups, the total energy has been computed as a function of volume. Our calculated results suggest that the P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}–phase is more stable than that of the P222{sub 1}–phase. The band structure calculation show that Ag{sub 2}Se is semimetallic with an overlap of about 0.014 eV in P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}–phase whereas is metallic in nature in P222{sub 1}–phase. Moreover, the optical properties including the dielectric function, energy loss spectrum are obtained and analysed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Catalytic properties of mesoporous Al–La–Mn oxides prepared via spray pyrolysis

Highlights: • Al–La–Mn oxides were prepared using spray pyrolysis. • Al–La–Mn oxides exhibit large and uniform pore sizes. • Mesoporous Al–La–Mn oxides were compared with those prepared by conventional precipitation. • Mesoporous Al–La–Mn oxides show superior activity in decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. - Abstract: Mesoporous Al–La–Mn oxides are prepared via spray pyrolysis and are applied to the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The characteristics of the mesoporous Al–La–Mn oxides are examined using N{sub 2} adsorption, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence measurements. The surface area and pore size of the Al–La–Mn oxides prepared via spray pyrolysis are larger than those of the Al–La–Mn oxides prepared using a precipitation method. The catalytic performance of the materials during the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is examined in a pulse-injection reactor. It is confirmed that the mesoporous Al–La–Mn oxides prepared via spray pyrolysis exhibit higher catalytic activity and stability in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide than Al–La–Mn oxides prepared using a conventional precipitation method.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

On the location and stability of charge in SiO{sub 2}/SiN{sub x} dielectric double layers used for silicon surface passivation

Dielectric double layers of thermal silicon dioxide–chemical vapour deposition (CVD) silicon nitride are found to produce excellent passivation of silicon surfaces by combining a chemical reduction of surface defect states, with a field effect reduction of carriers at the surface due to charge in the dielectrics. The charge present in such double-layers has previously been attributed to be characteristic of the interface between the two. However, experimental evidence shows this is indirect and inconclusive. This manuscript reports direct measurements that show the charge lies within 10 nm of the interface between passivating double layers of thermal silicon dioxide–plasma CVD silicon nitride. In addition, the passivation efficiency of oxide-nitride layers, deposited using optimised conditions, was found to be largely unaffected by extra charge subsequently added to the film. The passivation efficiency of textured surfaces or those produced using non-optimised deposition conditions is found to be highly dependent on the field effect component provided by extra deposited charge. Using such extra field effect component, surface recombination velocities <2 cm/s have been obtained on single oxide and oxide/nitride double layers. The extra deposited charge was found to have good long term stability when the dielectric films are submitted to a chemical treatment. By contrast, poor stability of the deposited charge was observed when subjected to ultraviolet radiation. These results point to the importance of the interface between dielectrics when considering how to optimise the charge present in passivating dielectric films.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2017

Structure and properties of nanostructured ZnO arrays and ZnO/Ag nanocomposites fabricated by pulsed electrodeposition

We investigate the structure, surface morphology, and optical properties of nanostructured ZnO arrays fabricated by pulsed electrodeposition, Ag nanoparticles precipitated from colloidal solutions, and a ZnO/Ag nanocomposite based on them. The electronic and electrical parameters of the ZnO arrays and ZnO/Ag nanocomposites are analyzed by studying the I–V and C–V characteristics. Optimal modes for fabricating the ZnO/Ag heterostructures with the high stability and sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation as promising materials for use in photodetectors, gas sensors, and photocatalysts are determined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

High temperature thermal and mechanical stability of high-strength nanotwinned Al alloys

Al alloys have widespread applications, but often suffer from low yield strength. Recently, nanotwinned Al-Fe solid solution alloys have shown high flow stress (>1.5 GPa), ascribed to nanograins with abundant incoherent twin boundaries and solute-stabilized 9R phase. However, the high temperature mechanical behaviors of high-strength twinned Al-Fe alloys remain unknown. In this study, we show that nanotwinned microstructures are stable up to 280 °C, followed by recrystallization at 300 °C. In-situ uniaxial compression tests in a scanning electron microscope show that the nanotwinned Al alloys retain their high flow stress of ~1.3 GPa when tested up to 200 °C, and substantial softening occurs at a test temperature of 300 °C. This work reveals the superb thermal stability and high temperature mechanical behaviors of the nanotwinned Al-Fe alloys, and offers a new perspective to design future strong and thermally stable nanostructured Al alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photoluminescence and thermal stability of yellow-emitting Na{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Sm{sup 3+} phosphor for light-emitting diodes

Highlights: • Na{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Sm{sup 3+} phosphors are obtained via a solid-state reaction method. • Excitation at 402 nm, the yellow color purity is close to 100%. • The mechanism of concentration quenching is dipole–dipole interaction. • The temperature-dependent luminescence property exceed that of YAG:Ce{sup 3+}. - Abstract: A series of yellow-emitting Na{sub 2}(Ba{sub 2−x}Sm{sub x})Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} phosphors have been prepared via solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, temperature-dependent luminescence property, concentration quenching mechanism and luminescence lifetime are applied to characterize the obtained samples. Under 402 nm near ultraviolent excitation, the samples emit yellow light and the color purity is close to 100%. The critical quenching concentration of Sm{sup 3+} in the Na{sub 2}Ba{sub 2}Si{sub 2}O{sub 7} host is about 3.6 mol% and corresponding quenching behavior is ascribed to be electric dipole–dipole interaction. Furthermore, the phosphor has good thermal stability property, superior to the commercial yellow Y{sub 3}Al{sub 5}O{sub 12}:Ce{sup 3+} phosphor and the activation energy for thermal quenching is calculated as 0.18 eV.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗