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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,765 records · Page 98
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

The effect of tumor size and location on efficacy and safety of US- and CT- guided percutaneous microwave ablation in renal cell carcinomas

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of size and central location of the tumor on safety and efficacy of percutaneous CEUS- and CT-guided MWA in biopsy-proven renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Materials and methods: In this IRB-approved retrospective study, 69 biopsy-proven renal tumors in 56 patients, who underwent MWA in our institution from January 2013 to March 2017, were evaluated. Data collection included demographics, tumor characteristics, procedural protocols, and follow-up visits within 6 months post procedure. Primary outcomes were assessed by technical success (TS), local tumor progression (LTP), and complications. The Kaplan–Meier analysis was used for survival rate. Results: Overall technical success was achieved for all 69 lesions (92.8% primary TS, 100% overall). Median nephrometry score was 8 (4–11) and median tumor size was 2.5 cm (0.8–7). Five lesions which required second ablation had significantly higher median tumor size 4 cm (P = 0.039) with the same nephrometry score. Renal function remained stable with no significant change in eGFR before or after ablation. The LTP rate was 5.8%. The most recurrent tumors were clear cell (50%) followed by papillary tumors (25%). The complication rate was 5.8% with minor complications (hematoma and pain) and no major issues. There was no significant association between nephrometry score and technical success, recurrence, or complication rates. Overall and tumor-specific survival rates were 96.7% and 100% at 11.9 months. Conclusions: Image-guided MWA appears to be a safe and effective treatment regardless of nephrometry score and tumor location with high technical success, low recurrence, and complication rates.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2015

The role of MHD in 3D aspects of massive gas injection

Simulations of massive gas injection for disruption mitigation in DIII-D are carried out to compare the toroidal peaking of radiated power for the cases of one and two gas jets. The radiation toroidal peaking factor (TPF) results from a combination of the distribution of impurities and the distribution of heat flux associated with the n = 1 mode. When we ignored the effects of strong uni-directional neutral beam injection and rotation present in the experiment, the injected impurities were found to spread helically along field lines preferentially toward the high-field-side, which is explained in terms of a nozzle equation. Thus when considering the plasma rest frame, reversing the current direction also reverses the toroidal direction of impurity spreading. During the pre-thermal quench phase of the disruption, the toroidal peaking of radiated power is reduced in a straightforward manner by increasing from one to two gas jets. But, during the thermal quench phase, reduction in the TPF is achieved only for a particular arrangement of the two gas valves with respect to the field line pitch. Particularly, the relationship between the two valve locations and the 1/1 mode phase is critical, where gas valve spacing that is coherent with 1/1 symmetry effectively reduces TPF.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Self-assembled nanoparticle aggregates: Organizing disorder for high performance surface-enhanced spectroscopy

The coherent oscillations of the surface electron gas, known as surface plasmons, in metal nanostructures can give rise to the localization of intense electromagnetic fields at the metal-dielectric interface. These strong fields are exploited in surface enhanced spectroscopies, such as Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), for the detection and characterization of molecules at very low concentration. Still, the implementation of SERS-based biosensors requires a high level of reproducibility, combined with cheap and simple fabrication methods. For this purpose, SERS substrates based on self-assembled aggregates of commercial metallic nanoparticles (Nps) can meet all the above requests. Following this line, we report on a combined micro-Raman and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis of the SERS efficiency of micrometric silver Np aggregates (enhancement factors up to 10{sup 9}) obtained by self-assembly. Despite the intrinsic disordered nature of these Np clusters, we were able to sort out some general rules relating the specific aggregate morphology to its plasmonic response. We found strong evidences of cooperative effects among the NPs within the cluster and namely a clear dependence of the SERS-efficiency on both the cluster area (basically linear) and the number of stacked NPs layers. A cooperative action among the superimposed layers has been proved also by electromagnetic simulations performed on simplified nanostructures consisting of stacking planes of ordered Nps. Being clear the potentialities of these disordered self-assembled clusters, in terms of both easy fabrication and signal enhancement, we developed a specific nanofabrication protocol, based on electron beam lithography and molecular functionalization, that allowed for a fine control of the Np assemblies into designed shapes fixing their area and height. In particular, we fabricated 2D ordered arrays of disordered clusters choosing gold Nps owing to their high stability. AFM measurements confirmed the regularity in spacing and size (i.e. area and layer number) of the aggregates. Preliminary SERS measurements confirm the high signal enhancement and demonstrate a quite good reproducibility over large number of aggregates within 100×100 μm{sup 2} 2D super-structure. The availability of such a multisensor could allow a careful statistical analysis of the SERS response, thus leading to a reliable quantitative estimate of the presence of relevant molecular species even at ultra-low concentration.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Systematic investigations on iron cycling in phosphorus/siderophore systems: Synergism or antagonism?

Synergisms between microbial exudates on Fe (hydr)oxide dissolution as an effective Fe acquisition pathway have been recently addressed and vigorously debated. However, Fe liberation mechanisms and where siderophores and phosphorus (P) coexist received little attentions. Current study systematically investigated ferrihydrite dissolution in the presence of desferrioxamine B (DFOB) (a kind of fungally-derived siderophores) and inorganic/organic phosphorus (orthophosphate, Pi; myo-inositol hexaphosphate, IHP), as a function of solute pH, reaction time and reagent content. Reacted solids were characterized by N 2 -BET adsorption, zeta (ζ) potential analysis, sequential extraction analysis (SEDEX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), micro Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Our results indicate that upon reaction with P-only or (DFOB + P) systems, interfacial complexation partially switched from monolayer bidentate-binuclear surface complexes to ternary complexes, or laterally transformed into amorphous Fe–P precipitates. The Fe-Pi complex precipitated more readily under acidic conditions, and Fe-IHP complex preferentially nucleated in neutral-alkaline environments. Phosphorus slightly promoted Fe release from minerals and fixation to the leached layer or interfacial liquid zone initially, but subsequently prevented further attacks from protons and DFOB. The co-effects of P and DFOB likely correspond to two successive scenarios: 1) DFOB is preferentially attracted toward ferrihydrite surfaces by negative electrical fields induced by adsorbed phosphorus and can act synergistically with labile P–Fe complexes, resulting in intensive temporal dissolution of Fh; 2) subsequent Fe shuttling to DFOB can be prohibited by stabilized, passive P/Fe–P layers. Finally, our results emphasize the antagonism between P compounds and siderophores (i.e., DFOB here) on ferrihydrite dissolution to improve understanding of the biologically-mediated Fe cycling in natural systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Temperature and Structure Dependence of Surface Tension of CaO-SiO{sub 2}-Na{sub 2}O-CaF{sub 2} Mold Fluxes

The surface tension of mold flux is one of the most important properties and varies with the temperature from the top to the bottom of the mold, which influences the adhesion and lubrication between the liquid mold flux and the solidified shell, further influencing the quality of the continuous billet. In the present paper, the effect of temperature on the surface tension of CaO-SiO{sub 2}-Na{sub 2}O-CaF{sub 2} mold-flux melts with different CaO/SiO{sub 2} mass ratios was investigated using the maximum-pull method. Furthermore, the microstructure of mold fluxes was analyzed using FT-IR and Raman spectra to discuss the change mechanism of surface tension. The results indicated that the temperature dependence of surface tension was different with different CaO/SiO{sub 2} mass ratios, and agreed with the modification of melt structure. When the CaO/SiO{sub 2} mass ratio was 0.67 and 0.85, the change of surface tension with temperature was relatively stable, and the influence of temperature on the structure was small. When the CaO/SiO{sub 2} mass ratio was 1.03 and 1.16, with an increase of temperature, the surface tension decreased linearly and the changing amplitude was large; the degree of polymerization of melts and average radii of silicon-oxygen anions also decreased, which intensified the molecular thermal motion and weakened the intermolecular interaction, resulting in a decrease of surface tension of melts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design of Zn Chalcogenide Shells for Emissive Ga-Rich In 1– X Ga X As Quantum Dots Synthesized in Molten Salts

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have seen expanded applications in optoelectronics from visible to near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. However, the options for QDs with bright and size-tunable emission in the NIR region are mostly limited to heavy-metal-based (Pb, Cd, Hg) semiconductors. Here, Ga-rich In 1–X Ga X As QDs with zinc chalcogenide shells are demonstrated as candidates for NIR emitters. Based on new developments in inorganic molten salt chemistry, we synthesized colloidal In 1–X Ga X As QDs containing up to 85% gallium with high crystallinity based on Raman and XRD analyses. Zinc selenide and sulfide shells with different morphologies were grown on In 1–X Ga X As QDs by controlling the Zn precursor chemistry. Despite the nominally reduced lattice mismatch in the In 1–X Ga X As/ZnSe heterostructure, a ZnS shell was found to be a much more effective passivation material: In 1–X Ga X As/ZnS core–shell QDs show a photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of about 30% versus 11% for ZnSe shells. In conclusion, based on the analysis of PL decay and transient absorption (TA) dynamics, we surmise that electron trapping is the major reason for efficiency loss, providing a clear heterostructure design principle for realizing efficient NIR-emitting In 1–X Ga X As QDs.

Electron trapping↗
DOE OSTI2019

Unique interfacial thermodynamics of few-layer 2D MoS 2 for (photo)electrochemical catalysis

The electronic structure of few-layer MoS2 is studied by in-situ and operando spectroelectrochemistry in conditions relevant to its use as an electrocatalyst. We show that electron injection into the conduction band is coupled with a redshift of the exciton resonance, the magnitude of which depends on the number of vertical MoS 2 layers. In addition, the applied electric field/electronic doping imparts uniaxial tensile strain evidenced by broadening Raman signals, indicating that under conditions of electrocatalysis, the system is structurally different from equilibrium. We demonstrate that field/carrier induced changes to the electronic structure of MoS 2 alter the band edge positions which changes the fundamental thermodynamic driving force for charge transfer. This property is a function of the applied potential, an effect unique to 2D semiconductors. The dynamic band edge potentials change the relevant interfacial energetics for charge transfer and has strong implications for the mechanistic understanding of (photo)catalytic fuel-forming reactions using two-dimensional systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Composite vibrational spectroscopy of the group 12 difluorides: ZnF{sub 2}, CdF{sub 2}, and HgF{sub 2}

The vibrational spectra of group 12 difluorides, MF{sub 2} (M = Zn, Cd, Hg), were investigated via coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples, CCSD(T), including core correlation, with a series of correlation consistent basis sets ranging in size from triple-zeta through quintuple-zeta quality, which were then extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit using a variety of extrapolation procedures. The explicitly correlated coupled cluster method, CCSD(T)-F12b, was employed as well. Although exhibiting quite different convergence behavior, the F12b method yielded the CBS limit estimates closely matching more computationally expensive conventional CBS extrapolations. The convergence with respect to basis set size was examined for the contributions entering into composite vibrational spectroscopy, including those from higher-order correlation accounted for through the CCSDT(Q) level of theory, second-order spin-orbit coupling effects assessed within four-component and two-component relativistic formalisms, and vibrational anharmonicity evaluated via a perturbative treatment. Overall, the composite results are in excellent agreement with available experimental values, except for the CdF{sub 2} bond-stretching frequencies compared to spectral assignments proposed in a matrix isolation infrared and Raman study of cadmium difluoride vapor species [Loewenschuss et al., J. Chem. Phys. 50, 2502 (1969); Givan and Loewenschuss, J. Chem. Phys. 72, 3809 (1980)]. These assignments are called into question in the light of the composite results.

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

Exploring layer thinning of exfoliated β-tellurene and room temperature photoluminescence with large exciton binding energy revealed in β-TeO 2

Due to its tunable bandgap, anisotropic behavior, and superior thermoelectric properties, device applications using layered tellurene (Te) are becoming more attractive. Here, we report a thinning technique for exfoliated tellurene nanosheets using thermal annealing in an oxygen environment. We characterize different thinning parameters, including temperature and annealing time. Based on our measurements, we show that controlled layer thinning occurs in the narrow temperature range of 325–350 °C. We also show a reliable method to form β-tellurene oxide (β-TeO 2 ), which is an emerging wide bandgap semiconductor with promising electronic and optoelectronic properties. This wide bandgap semiconductor exhibits a broad photoluminescence (PL) spectrum with multiple peaks covering the range of 1.76–2.08 eV. This PL emission, coupled with Raman spectra, is strong evidence of the formation of 2D β-TeO 2 . We discuss the results obtained and the mechanisms of Te thinning and β-TeO 2 formation at different temperature regimes. We also discuss the optical bandgap of β-TeO 2 and show the existence of pronounced excitonic effects evident by the large exciton binding energy in this 2D β-TeO 2 system that reach 1.54–1.62 eV for bulk and monolayer, respectively. Our work can be utilized to have better control over the Te nanosheet thickness. It also sheds light on the formation of well-controlled β-TeO 2 layered semiconductors for electronic and optoelectronic applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Evidence of an Improper Displacive Phase Transition in Cd 2 Re 2 O 7 via Time-Resolved Coherent Phonon Spectroscopy

We have used a combination of ultrafast coherent phonon spectroscopy, ultrafast thermometry, and time-dependent Landau theory to study the inversion symmetry breaking phase transition at T c = 200 K in the strongly spin-orbit coupled correlated metal Cd 2 Re 2 O 7 . We establish that the structural distortion at T c is a secondary effect through the absence of any softening of its associated phonon mode, which supports a purely electronically driven mechanism. However, the phonon lifetime exhibits an anomalously strong temperature dependence that decreases linearly to zero near T c . Here, we show that this behavior naturally explains the spurious appearance of phonon softening in previous Raman spectroscopy experiments and should be a prevalent feature of correlated electron systems with linearly coupled order parameters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Carbon Tracers of Aqueous Processes: Isotopic Analysis of Cr Carbonate Grains With Implications for Bennu Samples

Carbonate grains in carbonaceous chondrites record aqueous alteration events on the asteroidal parent bodies, including evidence for episodic alteration, timing of alteration, and time and temperature evolution of volatiles. Spectral features in the 3.4 μm region at asteroid Bennu have been interpreted as coming from carbonate minerals. Coordinated analysis of carbonate grains will be a valuable tool for analysis of Bennu samples, and related analysis of analog materials provides important context for understanding aqueous alteration of carbonaceous asteroids more broadly. To that end, our team is analyzing carbonates in Bennu analog materials, using Raman spectroscopy to identify carbonates and assess the maturity of related organic materials, vacuum reflectance spectroscopy from the ultraviolet through thermal infrared range to constrain contributions from carbonates and organics, X-ray microtomography and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) to assess the distribution of void space, transmission electron microscopy to characterize space weathering effects, and EPMA and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to measure composition and isotopic ratios. Here, we describe in situ analysis of carbon and oxygen isotopes from carbonates in Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577.

K E Miller↗
DOE OSTI2020

Uncovering the Effects of Metal Contacts on Monolayer MoS 2

Metal contacts are a key limiter to the electronic performance of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor devices. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of contact interfaces between seven metals (Y, Sc, Ag, Al, Ti, Au, Ni, with work functions from 3.1 to 5.2 eV) and monolayer MoS 2 grown by chemical vapor deposition. We evaporate thin metal films onto MoS 2 and study the interfaces by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electrical characterization. We uncover that (1) ultrathin oxidized Al dopes MoS 2 n-type (>2 × 1012 cm –2 ) without degrading its mobility, (2) Ag, Au, and Ni deposition causes varying levels of damage to MoS 2 (e.g. broadening Raman E' peak from <3 to >6 cm –1 ), and (3) Ti, Sc, and Y react with MoS 2 . Reactive metals must be avoided in contacts to monolayer MoS 2 , but control studies reveal the reaction is mostly limited to the top layer of multilayer films. Finally, we find that (4) thin metals do not significantly strain MoS 2 , as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. These are important findings for metal contacts to MoS 2 and broadly applicable to many other 2D semiconductors.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2018

Defect induced structural inhomogeneity, ultraviolet light emission and near-band-edge photoluminescence broadening in degenerate In 2 O 3 nanowires

We demonstrate here defect induced changes on the morphology and surface properties of indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) nanowires and further study their effects on the near-band-edge (NBE) emission, thereby showing the significant influence of surface states on In 2 O 3 nanostructure based device characteristics for potential optoelectronic applications. In 2 O 3 nanowires with cubic crystal structure (c-In 2 O 3 ) were synthesized via carbothermal reduction technique using a gold-catalyst-assisted vapor–liquid–solid method. Onset of strong optical absorption could be observed at energies greater than 3.5 eV consistent with highly n-type characteristics due to unintentional doping from oxygen vacancy ( V O ) defects as confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. A combination of high resolution transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and valence band analysis on the nanowire morphology and stoichiometry reveals presence of high-density of VO defects on the surface of the nanowires. As a result, chemisorbed oxygen species can be observed leading to upward band bending at the surface which corresponds to a smaller valence band offset of 2.15 eV. Temperature dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was used to study the nature of the defect states and the influence of the surface states on the electronic band structure and NBE emission has been discussed. Lastly, our data reveals significant broadening of the NBE PL peak consistent with impurity band broadening leading to band-tailing effect from heavy doping.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Biosynthesis, Microstructural Characterisations and Investigation of In-Vitro Mutagenic and Eco-Toxicological Response of a Novel Microbial Exopolysaccharide Based Biopolymer

A modified microbial polysaccharide based biopolymer has been investigated as a potential candidate towards development of sustainable biomaterials and bioplastics. An in-depth study was carried out to biosynthesize, characterize and assess any possible mutagenic potential and ecotoxicity of the microbial polysaccharide biopolymer. Microstructural investigations using confocal microscopy, Fourier transform (FT)-Raman depth profile mapping and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the biosynthetically modified polysaccharide revealed internal structural perturbations, as well as occlusion of granular pores by extraneous materials. The Raman 3D mapping depth profile along with time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry also indicated important structural and surface modifications, which could be correlated to the production of microbial exopolysaccharides and secondary metabolites. The study then looked into any possible genetic mutation and ecological risks associated with the biosynthetically modified polysaccharide through the investigation of genotoxicity and ecotoxicity. The genotoxicity study was carried out through bacterial reverse gene mutation (Ames) test by using two different strains (TA98 and TA100) of bacteria. The results did not indicate any mutagenic effect against either of the strains used for the biopolymer samples and was found to be genotoxically safe. Ecotoxicity tests, carried out using bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fisheri further indicated no ecotoxicity within the given experimental conditions. The study measured the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) to cause a 50% decrease in the light output of the bacteria, a measure of ecotoxicological response of the biopolymer. Overall, results from this study indicated that the novel biopolymer was genotoxically and ecotoxically safe, which offers immense potential for future use of this biopolymer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effect of porous morphology on phase transition in vanadium dioxide thin films

Vanadium oxide (VO{sub 2}) thin films were prepared on Si (100) substrates by direct current magnetron sputtering at room temperature, and then, postannealing was conducted at 450 °C for 2 h in vacuum. Structural characterizations demonstrated that the thin films exhibited porous morphology upon thermal annealing and the porosity and pore size depended on the oxygen flow rate in the process of film fabrication. Raman spectra were measured in the temperature range of 303–343 K, and resistance measurement was conducted in the temperature range of 293–363 K, to study the influence of porous morphology on the phase transition in VO{sub 2} thin films. It was illustrated that the porous morphology could provide a free space to release the stress induced in the monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transition of VO{sub 2}, and lower the transition temperature to a certain degree.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Defect-Mediated Anisotropic Lattice Expansion in Ceramics as Evidence for Nonthermal Coupling between Electromagnetic Fields and Matter

Electromagnetic (EM) fields can trigger a range of surprising responses in materials. Microwave radiation (MWR), a type of EM field in the frequency range of 0.3–300GHz, can lower the synthesis temperature required for ceramics such as TiO2 and induces mixed amorphous–crystalline phase compositions. To better understand the effects of MWR on matter, structural changes during microwave heating and MWR-assisted synthesis using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction are studied. Anisotropic expansion–contraction of lattice parameters under microwave-radiation is observed, which contradicts the results from conventional thermal heating. When as-received TiO2 powders are heated with MWR, an instantaneous decrease in the intensities of diffraction peaks indicates decrystallization/amorphization. High resolution electron microscopy supports these observations. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy indicate increased defect-generation under microwave exposure. Molecular dynamics simulations on the anatase phase of TiO2 suggests that introducing an oxygen vacancy can lead to the formation of an interstitial–vacancy pair resulting in anisotropic expansion–contraction of the lattice. These unique responses of ceramics under externally applied fields provide direct evidence for nonthermal coupling between EM fields and matter. Understanding such nonthermal, field-driven processes has implications in engineering low-temperature processes for integrating ceramics with polymers for flexible electronics, energy harnessing, and storage applications.

anisotropic lattice expansion↗
DOE OSTI2026

Influence of thermal treatment on structure and catalytic performance of ceria-zirconia supported copper oxide (CuO x /Ce y Zr 1-y O 2 ) catalysts for CO oxidation

Copper oxide (CuO x ) supported on ceria-zirconia (Ce y Zr 1-y O 2 , y = 1.0, 0.5, 0.0) catalysts were investigated to elucidate the effects of thermal treatment on their physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation. Here, the catalysts were synthesized via a one-pot chemical vapor deposition (OP-CVD) method at 700˚C and 900˚C with controlled Cu loading. Characterization techniques, including synchrotron X-ray diffraction (S-XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP), and N 2 adsorption-desorption, were implemented to probe the crystalline structure, molecular and electronic structure, oxygen vacancies, specific surface area (SSA) and metal loading. CO oxidation was chosen as a model reaction to explore the structure-catalytic performance relationship. A ∼100% CO conversion was achieved at < 150˚C, particularly with the CuO x /CeO 2 catalyst calcined at 700˚C. In contrast, calcination at 900˚C caused a ∼90% decrease in SSA and a ∼24% increase in T 50 . Activity tests revealed that increasing ZrO 2 content lowered CO oxidation activity despite generating more defect sites. In-situ measurement of the 700 °C calcined samples revealed the presence of stable and unstable defects in CuO x /Ce 0.5 Zr 0.5 O 2 and CeO 2 respectively, which play a key role in the activity of the catalysts. The results highlight that catalytic performance is closely related to the SSA. Furthermore, an optimum calcination temperature favor significant oxygen vacancy formation with required CuO x -support interactions, enhancing redox properties and catalytic performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma-assisted hydrogen diffusion flame. Part 1: Temperature, oxygen, and fuel measurements by one-dimensional fs/ps rotational CARS imaging

One-dimensional hybrid fs/ps CARS imaging provides single-laser-shot measurements of temperature, oxygen, and hydrogen in a plasma-assisted hydrogen diffusion flame. The coaxial dielectric-barrier-discharge burner collapses the Re ~50 hydrogen diffusion flame to within ~5 mm of the burner surface at an applied AC potential of 8.75 kV at 18 kHz, coinciding nicely with the full spatial extent of the 1D CARS measurements. Translating the burner through the measurement volume allowed for measurements at numerous radial locations in increments of 1 mm with a resolution of 140 µm × 30 µm × 600 µm, sufficient to resolve spatial gradients in this unsteady flame. Longer probe delays, required for improved dynamic range in regions of high temperature fluctuations, proved difficult to model as a result of a nontrivial decay in the O 2 Raman coherence arising from complexities associated with the triplet ground electronic state of the O 2 molecule. Oxygen linewidths were treated empirically using the observed O 2 coherence decay in spectra acquired from the product gases of lean, near-adiabatic H 2 /air flames stabilized on a Hencken flat-flame burner. While still leading to errors up to 10% at worst, the empirically determined Raman linewidth factors eliminated any systematic error in the O 2 /N 2 measurements with probe delay. Temperature measurements in the Hencken Burner flames proved to be insensitive to probe pulse delay, providing robust thermometry. Here, demonstration of this technique in both the canonical Hencken burner flames and a new DBD burner validates its effectiveness in producing multiple spatially resolved measurements in combustion environments. Measurements in the DBD burner revealed an unsteady, counterflow flattened flame structure near the fuel orifice which became unsteady as the reaction zone curves towards the surface for larger radial positions. Lastly, fluctuations in the fuel concentration were largest at the source, as the large, plasma-generated, unsteady external toroidal vortex that dominates the transport in this flame provides enhanced ventilation of the flame surface in close proximity to the fuel tube.

42 ENGINEERING↗