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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on NaCr2FeO10 by Materials Project

NaCr2FeO10 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Na is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to eight O atoms. There are a spread of Na–O bond distances ranging from 2.45–2.82 Å. Cr is bonded to four O atoms to form CrO4 tetrahedra that share corners with two equivalent FeO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 35–48°. There are a spread of Cr–O bond distances ranging from 1.62–1.74 Å. Fe is bonded to six O atoms to form FeO6 octahedra that share corners with four equivalent CrO4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Fe–O bond distances ranging from 1.84–1.99 Å. There are five inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Fe atom. In the second O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Na, one Cr, and one Fe atom. In the third O site, O is bonded in a distorted trigonal planar geometry to one Na, one Cr, and one Fe atom. In the fourth O site, O is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Na and one Cr atom. In the fifth O site, O is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Na and one Cr atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on Al2CrFeCo4 by Materials Project

CrFeCo4Al2 is Tungsten-derived structured and crystallizes in the trigonal R-3m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Cr is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to eight Co atoms. All Cr–Co bond lengths are 2.47 Å. Fe is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to eight Co and six equivalent Al atoms. There are two shorter (2.46 Å) and six longer (2.47 Å) Fe–Co bond lengths. All Fe–Al bond lengths are 2.85 Å. There are three inequivalent Co sites. In the first Co site, Co is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to three equivalent Cr, one Fe, and four equivalent Al atoms. All Co–Al bond lengths are 2.46 Å. In the second Co site, Co is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to one Cr, three equivalent Fe, and four equivalent Al atoms. All Co–Al bond lengths are 2.47 Å. In the third Co site, Co is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to three equivalent Cr, one Fe, and four equivalent Al atoms. All Co–Cr bond lengths are 2.47 Å. The Co–Fe bond length is 2.46 Å. All Co–Al bond lengths are 2.46 Å. Al is bonded in a body-centered cubic geometry to three equivalent Fe and eight Co atoms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on Nb2Cr by Materials Project

Nb2Cr1 is Cubic Laves structured and crystallizes in the cubic Fd-3m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Nb is bonded to six equivalent Nb and six equivalent Cr atoms to form a mixture of corner, edge, and face-sharing NbNb6Cr6 cuboctahedra. All Nb–Nb bond lengths are 2.70 Å. All Nb–Cr bond lengths are 3.17 Å. Cr is bonded in a 12-coordinate geometry to twelve equivalent Nb and four equivalent Cr atoms. All Cr–Cr bond lengths are 3.31 Å.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on CrN2 by Materials Project

CrN2 is High (Orthorhombic) Tridymite-like structured and crystallizes in the orthorhombic P2_12_12_1 space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are six inequivalent Cr6+ sites. In the first Cr6+ site, Cr6+ is bonded to four N3- atoms to form corner-sharing CrN4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Cr–N bond distances ranging from 1.66–1.78 Å. In the second Cr6+ site, Cr6+ is bonded to four N3- atoms to form corner-sharing CrN4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Cr–N bond distances ranging from 1.67–1.81 Å. In the third Cr6+ site, Cr6+ is bonded to four N3- atoms to form corner-sharing CrN4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Cr–N bond distances ranging from 1.70–1.74 Å. In the fourth Cr6+ site, Cr6+ is bonded to four N3- atoms to form corner-sharing CrN4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Cr–N bond distances ranging from 1.70–1.76 Å. In the fifth Cr6+ site, Cr6+ is bonded to four N3- atoms to form corner-sharing CrN4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Cr–N bond distances ranging from 1.68–1.82 Å. In the sixth Cr6+ site, Cr6+ is bonded to four N3- atoms to form corner-sharing CrN4 tetrahedra. There are a spread of Cr–N bond distances ranging from 1.65–1.78 Å. There are twelve inequivalent N3- sites. In the first N3- site, N3- is bonded in a linear geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the second N3- site, N3- is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two equivalent Cr6+ atoms. In the third N3- site, N3- is bonded in a linear geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the fourth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two equivalent Cr6+ atoms. In the fifth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the sixth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a linear geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the seventh N3- site, N3- is bonded in a linear geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the eighth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the ninth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the tenth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a linear geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the eleventh N3- site, N3- is bonded in a bent 150 degrees geometry to two Cr6+ atoms. In the twelfth N3- site, N3- is bonded in a linear geometry to two Cr6+ atoms.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on YMg14CrO16 by Materials Project

Mg14YCrO16 is alpha Po-derived structured and crystallizes in the orthorhombic Pmmm space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are seven inequivalent Mg sites. In the first Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form MgO6 octahedra that share corners with two equivalent YO6 octahedra, corners with four MgO6 octahedra, and edges with twelve MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.11–2.18 Å. In the second Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form MgO6 octahedra that share corners with two equivalent CrO6 octahedra, corners with four MgO6 octahedra, and edges with twelve MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.02–2.21 Å. In the third Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form MgO6 octahedra that share corners with six MgO6 octahedra, edges with two equivalent YO6 octahedra, edges with two equivalent CrO6 octahedra, and edges with eight MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–5°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.05–2.31 Å. In the fourth Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form a mixture of edge and corner-sharing MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–4°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.15–2.20 Å. In the fifth Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form MgO6 octahedra that share corners with six MgO6 octahedra, edges with two equivalent YO6 octahedra, and edges with ten MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–4°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.07–2.31 Å. In the sixth Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form MgO6 octahedra that share corners with six MgO6 octahedra, edges with two equivalent CrO6 octahedra, and edges with ten MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–7°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.15–2.24 Å. In the seventh Mg site, Mg is bonded to six O atoms to form MgO6 octahedra that share corners with six equivalent MgO6 octahedra, an edgeedge with one YO6 octahedra, an edgeedge with one CrO6 octahedra, and edges with ten MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–6°. There are a spread of Mg–O bond distances ranging from 2.10–2.27 Å. Y is bonded to six O atoms to form YO6 octahedra that share corners with two equivalent MgO6 octahedra, corners with two equivalent YO6 octahedra, corners with two equivalent CrO6 octahedra, and edges with twelve MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. There are a spread of Y–O bond distances ranging from 2.18–2.28 Å. Cr is bonded to six O atoms to form CrO6 octahedra that share corners with two equivalent MgO6 octahedra, corners with two equivalent YO6 octahedra, corners with two equivalent CrO6 octahedra, and edges with twelve MgO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. There are a spread of Cr–O bond distances ranging from 2.15–2.37 Å. There are ten inequivalent O sites. In the first O site, O is bonded to five Mg and one Y atom to form OYMg5 octahedra that share corners with six OYMg5 octahedra and edges with twelve OMg6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–3°. In the second O site, O is bonded to five Mg and one Cr atom to form OMg5Cr octahedra that share corners with six OYMg5 octahedra and edges with twelve OMg6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–7°. In the third O site, O is bonded to five Mg and one Cr atom to form OMg5Cr octahedra that share corners with six OYMg5 octahedra and edges with twelve OMg6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–7°. There are two shorter (2.10 Å) and two longer (2.18 Å) O–Mg bond lengths. In the fourth O site, O is bonded to six Mg atoms to form OMg6 octahedra that share corners with six equivalent OMg6 octahedra and edges with twelve OYMg5 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 2–7°. In the fifth O site, O is bonded to four Mg and two equivalent Y atoms to form OY2Mg4 octahedra that share corners with six OY2Mg4 octahedra and edges with twelve OYMg5 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. In the sixth O site, O is bonded to four Mg and two equivalent Cr atoms to form OMg4Cr2 octahedra that share corners with six OY2Mg4 octahedra and edges with twelve OMg5Cr octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. In the seventh O site, O is bonded to six Mg atoms to form OMg6 octahedra that share corners with six OY2Mg4 octahedra and edges with twelve OYMg5 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. In the eighth O site, O is bonded to six Mg atoms to form OMg6 octahedra that share corners with six OMg4Cr2 octahedra and edges with twelve OMg5Cr octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 0°. In the ninth O site, O is bonded to four Mg, one Y, and one Cr atom to form OYMg4Cr octahedra that share corners with six OYMg4Cr octahedra and edges with twelve OYMg5 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–5°. In the tenth O site, O is bonded to six Mg atoms to form OMg6 octahedra that share corners with six OYMg4Cr octahedra and edges with twelve OYMg5 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–4°.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Chromium-for-Aluminum Substitution in Synthetic Serpentine

Cr-bearing clay minerals are products of hydrothermal alteration and fluid–rock interactions of ultramafic rocks that form serpentine minerals. Cr is typically observed to substitute for Al in serpentine minerals, but the crystal chemistry and environmental constraints on this substitution are unknown. Here, we synthesized endmember and Cr-substituted amesite, a typical Al-serpentine mineral, via the hydrothermal method. We found that the phase purity highly depends on the pH of the hydrothermal solution, which should be controlled at ~12.7 to avoid the formation of impurity phases. Additionally, amesite can incorporate Cr at a concentration equivalent to ~39.5% substitution of Al. The Cr-free and Cr-substituted amesite are highly defective and contain multiple polytypes, including 6R 2 , 2M 1 , and possibly 2H 2 . However, the relative proportions of these polytypes do not change with increasing chromium substitution.

Al-lizardite↗
DOE OSTI2020

Synergy of Ion Doping and Spiral Array Architecture on Ti 2 Nb 10 O 29 : A New Way to Achieve High-Power Electrodes

Ameliorating electronic/ionic transport and structural stability of electrode materials is important to the development of power-intensive lithium ion batteries. Despite its great potential as a high-power anode, titanium niobium oxide (Ti 2 Nb 10 O 29 , TNO) still underperforms due to its unsatisfactory electronic/ionic conductivity. In this work, a powerful synergistic strategy by combining ion doping and spiral array architecture to boost high-rate performance of TNO is reported. Cr 3+ doped TNO nanoparticles (Cr-TNO) of 5-10 nm intimately grow on a conductive vertical graphene@TiC-C (VGTC) skeleton, forming novel Cr-TNO@VGTC spiral arrays. The unique spiral growth of TNO is achieved due to the confinement effect of VGTC skeleton. Meanwhile, a more open TNO crystal structure with faster ion transfer paths and enhanced structural stability is realized by Cr 3+ doping, demonstrated via density functional theory calculation and in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction technique. Benefiting from the superior conductive network, enhanced intrinsic electronic/ionic conductivity of Cr-TNO and reinforced structural stability, the Cr-TNO@VTC arrays show prominent high-power performance with a large capacity of 220 mAh g -1 at 40 C (power density of ≈11 kW kg -1 ) and superior durability (91% retention after 500 cycles). This work provides a new path for the construction of widespread high-power electrodes for fast energy storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effects of Aluminum and Molybdenum on the Phase Stability of Iron-Chromium Alloys: A First-Principles Study

The interaction between solute atoms is critical to the thermodynamic behavior of Fe-Cr alloys, but the effects of non-dilute Al and Mo on the Fe-Cr phase stability and vacancy formation energy are not clearly understood. In this study, density functional theory, cluster expansion, and Monte Carlo simulation are used to predict the effects of ternary solute elements on the thermodynamic properties in multicomponent Fe-Cr alloys. The machine learning regression approach is applied to train and construct energy models that accurately describe the complex chemical interactions. The computational outcomes include the prediction of the partial ternary phase diagram, mixing enthalpy, and vacancy formation energy for different compositions. The phase boundary calculation predicts a pronounced change of Cr solubility in bcc Fe by the addition of Al and the rejection of Al atoms from a’ precipitates. The mixing enthalpy calculation shows that Mo may also reduce the Cr solubility in bcc Fe. Additionally, the simulations show that non-dilute Cr decreases the vacancy formation energy in bcc Fe, while adding Al results in a less significant effect. Finally, the results demonstrate important applications of using machine learning energy models to study model or commercial alloys with multicomponent solute species and point defects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Production of polyacrylonitrile/ionic covalent organic framework hybrid nanofibers for effective removal of chromium(VI) from water

Hexavalent Cr(VI) found in industrial wastewater is a proven carcinogen which causes serious health issues in humans around the world. This study presents a novel method to enhance the Cr(VI) oxyanion removal from wastewater by polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers through incorporation of a guanidinium-based ionic covalent organic framework (BT-DG) in the nanofibers structure. In this work, simple electrospinning technique was employed to produce PAN nanofibers and BT-DG was synthesized through condensation between benzene-1,3,5-tricarbaldehyde and N,N'-diaminoguanidine monohydrochloride. In-situ polymerization of BT-DG onto PAN nanofibers resulted in generation of hybrid PAN-BT-DG nanofibers. This modified PAN-BT-DG was characterized by obtaining its point of zero charge (PZC), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) morphology and surface elements and oxidation states by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). PAN-BT-DG exhibited positive surface charge below pH 4, making it an outstanding adsorbent, for Cr(VI) removal. Cr(VI) adsorption onto PAN-BT-DG followed pseudo second order kinetics and adsorption data fitted well to Freundlich isotherm model. Highest Cr(VI) removal was obtained at 55 °C with a maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of 173 mg/g at pH 3. Kinetic studies revealed that Cr(VI) adsorption onto PAN-BT-DG is endothermic and thermodynamically feasible. Desorption studies were conducted on PAN-BT-DG using 1 M NaOH as the stripping solvent and PAN-BT-DG exhibited excellent regeneration after five consecutive cycles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Accumulation mechanisms for contaminants on weak-base hybrid ion exchange resins

Mechanism of hexavalent chromium removal (Cr(VI) as CrO 4 2- ) by the weak-base ion exchange (IX) resin ResinTech® SIR-700-HP (SIR-700) from simulated groundwater is assessed in the presence of radioactive contaminants iodine-129 (as IO 3 - ), uranium (U as uranyl UO 2 2+ ), and technetium-99 (as TcO 4 - ), and common environmental anions sulfate (SO 4 2- ) and chloride (Cl-). Batch tests using the acid sulfate form of SIR-700 demonstrated Cr(VI) and U(VI) removal exceeded 97%, except in the presence of high SO 4 2- concentrations (536 mg/L) where Cr(VI) and U(VI) removal decreased to ≥ 80%. However, Cr(VI) removal notably improved with co-mingled U(VI) that complexes with SO 4 2- at the protonated amine sites. These U–SO 4 2- complexes are integral to U(VI) removal, as confirmed by the decrease in U(VI) removal (<40%) when the acid chloride form of SIR-700 was used instead. Solid phase characterization revealed that CrO 4 2- is removed by IX with SO 4 2- complexes and/or reduced to amorphous Cr(III)(OH) 3 at secondary alcohol sites. Tc(VII)O 4 - and I(V)O 3 - also undergo chemical reduction, following a similar removal mechanism. Oxyanion removal preference is determined by the anion reduction potential (CrO 4 2 - >TcO 4 - >IO 3 - ), geometry, and charge density. For these reasons, 39% and 69% of TcO 4 - and 17% and 39% of IO 3 - are removed in the presence and absence of Cr(VI), respectively.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Influence of oxygen on performance of multi-principal element alloy as braze filler for Ni-base alloys

In manufacturing of multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), the casting process is often a primary point of oxygen introduction to the material system, which was demonstrated by the laboratory scale button arc-melting process. Oxygen introduction raises concerns for the mechanical performance of these alloys if employed as structural materials alone or in engineering applications, such as serving as filler materials to enable joining of similar or dissimilar alloy pairs that are conventionally considered difficult to join. In this work, oxide inclusions in an as-cast off-equiatomic MnFeCoNiCu MPEA and Ni-base alloy braze joints made with this MPEA were evaluated by synchrotron x-ray diffraction mapping and electron microscopy. MnO was found to be prevalent throughout the cast MPEA and was chemically reduced during brazing by trace Al from the base material, Ni-base Alloy 600. Incomplete reaction of the MnO with Al, and some alternative reaction with Cr, left a mixture of MnO, Al 2 O 3 , and Cr 2 O 3 in the as-brazed joint, with the oxides concentrated near the braze centerline due to directional solidification. Further, in the braze joints, the non-oxide constituent phases detected were an FCC matrix and particles of Cr 23 C 6 , Cr 7 C 3 , and TiN which are all native to Alloy 600. The evolution of oxides within the brazed joints at elevated service temperatures of 600-800°C was also evaluated. While MnO and Al 2 O 3 were stable during high-temperature service, Cr 2 O 3 particles grew to several hundred microns, with dissolved oxygen in the MPEA providing a significant source for oxide growth. Comparing tensile performance of the as-brazed condition with post-service conditions showed that the evolution of oxide particles contributed to an increase in strength and decrease in ductility of the brazed joints. Evaluating particle morphologies among fracture surfaces of individual specimens demonstrated that large Cr 2 O 3 particles and continuous cluster networks of Al 2 O 3 were the features most detrimental to total elongation. Hence, unmitigated evolution of oxygen-containing species during brazing and service conditions is detrimental to the ductility of the brazed joints, which highlights the importance of oxygen control in initial manufacturing of MPEAs for engineering applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Coprecipitation of Fe/Cr Hydroxides with Organics: Roles of Organic Properties in Composition and Stability of the Coprecipitates

Iron hydroxides are important scavengers for dissolved chromium (Cr) via coprecipitation processes; however, the influences of organic matter (OM) on Cr sequestration in Fe/ Cr-OM ternary systems and the stability of the coprecipitates are not well understood. Here, Fe/Cr-OM coprecipitation was conducted at pH 3, and Cr hydroxide was undersaturated. Acetic acid (HAc), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM) were selected as model OMs, which showed different complexation capabilities with Fe/Cr ions and Fe/Cr hydroxide particles. HAc had no significant effect on the coprecipitation, as the monodentate carboxyl ligand in HAc did not favor complexation with dissolved Fe/Cr ions or Fe/Cr hydroxide nanoparticles. Contrarily, PAA and SRNOM with polydentate carboxyl ligand had strong complexation with Fe/Cr ions and Fe/Cr hydroxide nanoparticles, leading to significant amounts of PAA/SRNOM sequestered in the coprecipitates, which caused the structural disorder and fast aggregation of the coprecipitates. In comparison with that of PAA, preferential complexation of Cr ions with SRNOM resulted in higher Cr/Fe ratios in the coprecipitates. This study advances the fundamental understanding of Fe/Cr-OM coprecipitation and mechanisms controlling the composition and stability of the coprecipitates, which is essential for successful Cr remediation and removal in both natural and engineered settings.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Understanding Trace Iron and Chromium Incorporation During Gibbsite Crystallization and Effects on Mineral Dissolution

Incorporation of pollutants, e.g., heavy metals, or critical elements, e.g., lithium, as impurities in mineral phases can significantly affect their mobility or sequestration in the environment. Even when present at low concentrations, impurities can alter the solubility and reactivity of the host mineral. Here, in this study, we investigate the incorporation of trace amounts of iron (Fe 3+ ) and chromium (Cr 3+ ) during the crystal growth of the aluminum (Al 3+ ) hydroxide, gibbsite, a major component of bauxite ores, an important soil mineral, and a dominant mineral phase in stored radioactive wastes. Using a comprehensive suite of analytical techniques, we show that both Cr 3+ and Fe 3+ can be incorporated into the gibbsite lattice during coprecipitation by replacing Al 3+ in octahedral sites. These small amounts are consistent with limited to no structural isomorphism shared between Al 3+ and Cr 3+ /Fe 3+ hydroxide precipitates, nor room temperature miscibility of their isostructural M 2 O 3 oxide forms, in contrast with oxyhydroxide forms where Al 3+ and Fe 3+ share similar structural topologies. Despite the limited uptake of Cr 3+ /Fe 3+ , we show that these impurities have significant implications for gibbsite dissolution behavior. The limited uptake of Cr 3+ /Fe 3+ (e.g. 0.43% Cr 3+ and 0.4% Fe 3+ ), we show that these impurities have significant implications for gibbsite dissolution behavior and subsequent reactivity in complex environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Charge Transfer and Spin Dynamics in a Zinc Porphyrin Donor Covalently Linked to One or Two Naphthalenediimide Acceptors

We report quantum coherence effects on charge transfer and spin dynamics in a system having two degenerate electron acceptors are studied using a zinc 5,10,15-tri(n-pentyI)-20-phenylporphyrin (ZnP) electron donor covalently linked to either one or two naphthalene-1,8:4,5-bis(dicarboximide) (NDI) electron acceptors using an anthracene (An) spacer, ZnP-An-NDI (1) and ZnP-An-NDI 2 (2), respectively. Following photoexcitation of 1 and 2 in toluene at 295 K, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy shows that the electron transfer (ET) rate constant for 2 is about three times larger than that of 1, which can be accounted for by the statistical nature of incoherent ET as well as the electron couplings for the charge separation reactions. In contrast, the rate constant for charge recombination (CR) of 1 is about 25% faster than that of 2. Using femtosecond transient infrared spectroscopy and theoretical analysis, we find that the electron on NDI 2 ∙- in 2 localizes onto one of the two NDIs prior to CR, thus precluding electronically coherent CR from NDI 2 ∙- . Conversely, CR in both 1 and 2 is spin coherent as indicated by the observation of a resonance in the 3* ZnP yield following CR as a function of applied magnetic field, giving spin-spin exchange interaction energies of 2J = 210 and 236 mT, respectively, where the line width of the resonance for 2 is greater than 1. These data show that while CR is a spin-coherent process, incoherent hopping of the electron between the two NDIs in 2, consistent with the lack of delocalization noted above, results in greater spin decoherence in 2 relative to 1.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Solvent and Temperature Effects on Photoinduced Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in the Marcus Inverted Region

Concerted proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in the Marcus inverted region was recently demonstrated. Understanding the requirements for such reactivity is fundamentally important and holds promise as a design principle for solar energy conversion systems. Herein, we investigate the solvent polarity and temperature dependence of photoinduced proton-coupled charge separation (CS) and charge recombination (CR) in anthracene–phenol–pyridine triads: 1 (10-(4-hydroxy-3-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzyl)anthracene-9-carbonitrile) and 2 (10-(4-hydroxy-3-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)benzyl)anthracene-9-carbonitrile). Both the CS and CR rate constants increased with increasing polarity in acetonitrile:n-butyronitrile mixtures. The kinetics were semi-quantitatively analyzed where changes in dielectric and refractive index, and thus consequently changes in driving force (–ΔG°) and reorganization energy (λ), were accounted for. The results were further validated by fitting the temperature dependence, from 180 to 298 K, in n-butyronitrile. The analyses support previous computational work where transitions to proton vibrational excited states dominate the CR reaction with a distinct activation free energy (ΔG* CR ~ 140 meV). However, the solvent continuum model fails to accurately describe the changes in ΔG° and λ with temperature via changes in dielectric constant and refractive index. Satisfactory modeling was obtained using the results of a molecular solvent model, which predicts that λ decreases with temperature, opposite to that of the continuum model. To further assess the solvent polarity control in the inverted region, the reactions were studied in toluene. Nonpolar solvents decrease both ΔG° CR and λ, slowing CR into the nanosecond time regime for 2 in toluene at 298 K. This demonstrates how PCET in the inverted region may be controlled to potentially use proton-coupled CS states for efficient solar fuel production and photoredox catalysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Heterogeneous Organochromium Catalysts for Stereoselective Isoprene Polymerization

In this study, heterogeneous organochromium catalysts have been developed via surface lithiation of traditional surface organometallic complexes to mediate stereoselective isoprene polymerization. Chemisorption of the molecular complex Cr(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 4 on high surface area anatase titania nanoparticles as well as on a silica support led to the bipodal complexes Cr/TiO 2 and Cr/SiO 2 , respectively. Subsequent reductive lithium intercalation with n-butyllithium led to the formation of lower valent Cr 2+ species Cr/LTO and Cr/Li/SiO 2 . Alternatively, Cr(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 4 was allowed to react with nBuLi-reduced anatase titania (LTO) to provide Cr/LTO Inv . Cr/LTO and Cr/Li/SiO 2 both polymerize isoprene with very high activities (154 and 174 kg molCr –1 h –1 , respectively) to provide polyisoprene with cis-1,4 selectivity up to 82% in toluene at 50 °C. On the other hand, Cr/SiO 2 provides polyisoprene with excellent trans-1,4 selectivity up to 98% (16 kg molCr –1 h –1 ), and Cr/TiO 2 was catalytically inactive. Cr/LTO Inv is less active and selective, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements of the precatalyst revealed the presence of a mixture of metallic Cr 0 , Cr 4+ , and only minor Cr 2+ species. Thus, surface lithiation can promote the formation of lower valent metal centers which enable stereocontrol in isoprene polymerizations and may be extended as a general protocol to other catalytic systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Microstructural stability and mechanical properties of the as-cast and heat-treated newly developed TiNbCrTa refractory complex concentrated alloy

In this study, a TiNbCrTa refractory complex concentrated alloy (RCCA) was prepared using vacuum arc remelting. The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of both as-cast and heat-treated RCCA samples were analyzed. Heat treatment (HT) was performed at 800–1200 °C for 1 h in a vacuum-sealed environment. These samples exhibited a formation of Cr 2 Nb and Cr 2 Ti Laves phases. A variation in elemental distribution was observed, with interdendritic (ID) regions showing higher fractions of Ti and Cr, while the dendritic regions had a greater concentration of Ta and Nb. Micro-segregation at the IDs was confirmed through energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy mapping, which inferred the formation of Cr- and Ti-rich phases during HT at 800–1200 °C. High-temperature HT at 1200 °C for 1 h led to the evolution of the hcp omega phase. Prolonged HT at 1200 °C for 96 h resulted in the evolution of a Cr-rich Laves phase (Cr 2 Ta), which was homogeneously distributed within the microstructure, indicating an unstable microstructure. Furthermore, despite prolonged HT, a variation in the elemental distribution persisted due to the presence of dendritic and ID regions. Electron backscattered diffraction analysis revealed the presence of bcc and hcp phases in the dendritic and ID regions, respectively, of the as-cast and HTed samples. The as-cast samples demonstrated a high compressive strength of approximately 2 GPa. Micro-hardness values increased with the HT temperature up to 1000 °C. Further increases under HT conditions did not significantly reduce the microhardness value, whereas prolonged HT at 1200 °C led to an increase in the microhardness value. Overall, the newly developed TiNbCrTa RCCA exhibited high-strength behavior even after the phase transformation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Characterization of chromium impurities in β -Ga2O3

Chromium is a common transition-metal impurity that is easily incorporated during crystal growth. It is perhaps best known for giving rise to the 694.3 nm (1.786 eV) emission in Cr-doped Al2O3, exploited in ruby lasers. Chromium has also been found in monoclinic gallium oxide, a wide-bandgap semiconductor being pursued for power electronics. In this work, we thoroughly characterize the behavior of Cr in Ga2O3 through theoretical and experimental techniques. β-Ga2O3 samples are grown with the floating zone method and show evidence of a sharp photoluminescence signal, reminiscent of ruby. We calculate the energetics of formation of Cr from first principles, demonstrating that Cr preferentially incorporates as a neutral impurity on the octahedral site. Cr possesses a quartet ground-state spin and has an internal transition with a zero-phonon line near 1.8 eV. By comparing the calculated and experimentally measured luminescence lineshape function, we elucidate the role of coupling to phonons and uncover features beyond the Franck–Condon approximation. The combination of strong emission with a small Huang–Rhys factor of 0.05 and a technologically relevant host material renders Cr in Ga2O3 attractive as a quantum defect.

Turiansky, Mark E. (ORCID:0000000291543582)↗