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16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Evidence of ordering in Cu-Ni alloys from experimental electronic entropy measurements

Phase diagrams exhibiting extended solid-solution and lenslike melting are often reproduced using ideal solutions, where ideal mixing considers a fully random configurational entropy of mixing. In the field of irreversible thermodynamics, experimental measurements of the composition variation of high-temperature electronic transport and molten-state properties suggest, however, a strong role for short-range atomic ordering in these systems. Herein, measurements of the thermopower and resistivity are reported for Cu-Ni solid solutions as a function of temperature and composition. The electronic transport properties were interpreted with an irreversible thermodynamic framework, revealing a large electronic contribution to the entropy of mixing. By considering a cluster model for the configurational entropy that uses the electronic contribution to inform the existence of ordered associates, we rationalize such a contribution of the electronic entropy with the ideal entropy of mixing commonly used to model such systems. In conclusion, these results suggest that the short-range order of the atoms plays a significant role in both solid and liquid states, even when there are no dominant intermetallic compounds in these alloys.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Synthesis of Core@Shell Cu-Ni@Pt-Cu Nano-Octahedra and Their Improved MOR Activity

Fabrication of 3d metal-based core@shell nanocatalysts with engineered Pt-surfaces provides an effective approach for improving the catalytic performance. The challenges in such preparation include shape control of the 3d metallic cores and thickness control of the Pt-based shells. Herein, we report a colloidal seed-mediated method to prepare octahedral CuNi@Pt-Cu core@shell nanocrystals using CuNi octahedral cores as the template. By precisely controlling the synthesis conditions including the deposition rate and diffusion rate of the shell-formation through tuning the capping ligand, reaction temperature, and heating rate, uniform Pt-based shells can be achieved with a thickness of < 1 nm. Furthermore, the resultant carbon-supported CuNi@Pt-Cu core@shell nano-octahedra showed superior activity in electrochemical methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) compared with the commercial Pt/C catalysts and carbon-supported CuNi@Pt-Cu nano-polyhedron counterparts, demonstrating that both the lattice strain and shape effects arising from the as-prepared CuNi@Pt-Cu octahedral nanocatalysts play a crucial role in MOR performance.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

The onset of alloying in Cu-Ni powders under high-shear consolidation

Friction consolidation (FC) is a solid phase processing methodology that densifies a material through high-shear deformation and pressure at elevated temperature. The method has garnered interest in the scientific community because of its ability to produce extremely refined and homogeneous microstructures, off-axis texture development, and improved material properties. This manuscript presents an investigation of Cu and Ni material mixing via evaluation of morphological evolution, grain boundary characterization, and compositional analysis to provide insights on the operational alloying mechanisms occurring under high shear and elevated temperature. Using correlative microscopy techniques, we show alloying progresses via a combination of grain boundary diffusion and interfacial roughening at heterophane boundaries. Evidence supporting Cu infiltration along Ni-Ni grain boundaries along with asymmetric diffusion of Cu into Ni grains is highlighted. The resultant, consolidated microstructure was produced directly from a powder compact in ~30 s and exhibited a submicron, equiaxed grain size.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Combinatorial Cu-Ni Alloy Thin-Film Catalysts for Layer Number Control in Chemical Vapor-Deposited Graphene

We synthesized a combinatorial library of CuxNi1−x alloy thin films via co-sputtering from Cu and Ni targets to catalyze graphene chemical vapor deposition. The alloy morphology, composition, and microstructure were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Subsequently, the CuxNi1−x alloy thin films were used to grow graphene in a CH4-Ar-H2 ambient at atmospheric pressure. The underlying rationale is to adjust the CuxNi1−x composition to control the graphene. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that a continuous gradient of CuxNi1−x (25 at. % < x < 83 at.%) was initially achieved across the 100 mm diameter substrate (~0.9%/mm composition gradient). The XRD spectra confirmed a solid solution was realized and the face-centered cubic lattice parameter varied from ~3.52 to 3.58 A˙, consistent with the measured composition gradient, assuming Vegard’s law. Optical microscopy and Raman analysis of the graphene layers suggest single layer growth occurs with x > 69 at.%, bilayer growth dominates from 48 at.% < x < 69 at.%, and multilayer (≥3) growth occurs for x < 48 at.%, where x is the Cu concentration. Finally, a large area of bi-layer graphene was grown via a CuxNi1−x catalyst with optimized catalyst composition and growth temperature.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2022

Catalyst design to direct high-octane gasoline fuel properties for improved engine efficiency

The paraffin-to-olefin (P/O) ratio in gasoline fuel is a critical metric affecting fuel properties and engine efficiency. In the conversion of dimethyl ether (DME) to high-octane hydrocarbons over BEA zeolite catalysts, the P/O ratio can be controlled through catalyst design. Here, we report bimetallic catalysts that balance the net hydrogenation and dehydrogenation activity during DME homologation. The Cu-Zn/BEA catalyst exhibited greater relative dehydrogenation activity attributed to higher ionic site density, resulting in a lower P/O ratio (6.6) versus the benchmark Cu/BEA (9.4). The Cu-Ni/BEA catalyst exhibited increased hydrogenation due to reduced Ni species, resulting in a higher P/O ratio (19). The product fuel properties were estimated with an efficiency merit function and compared against finished gasolines and a typical alkylate blendstock. Merit values for the hydrocarbon product from all three BEA catalysts exceeded those of the comparison fuels (0–5.3), with the product from Cu-Zn/BEA exhibiting the highest merit value (9.7).

Catalyst design↗
DOE OSTI2024

Direct Synthesis of Layer-Tunable and Transfer-Free Graphene on Device-Compatible Substrates Using Ion Implantation Toward Versatile Applications

Direct synthesis of layer-tunable and transfer-free graphene on technologically important substrates is highly valued for various electronics and device applications. State of the art in the field is currently a two-step process: a high-quality graphene layer synthesis on metal substrate through chemical vapor deposition (CVD) followed by delicate layer transfer onto device-relevant substrates. Here, we report a novel synthesis approach combining ion implantation for a precise graphene layer control and dual-metal smart Janus substrate for a diffusion-limiting graphene formation to directly synthesize large area, high quality, and layer-tunable graphene films on arbitrary substrates without the post-synthesis layer transfer process. Carbon (C) ion implantation was performed on Cu–Ni film deposited on a variety of device-relevant substrates. A well-controlled number of layers of graphene, primarily monolayer and bilayer, is precisely controlled by the equivalent fluence of the implanted C-atoms (1 monolayer ~4 × 10 15 C-atoms/cm 2 ). Upon thermal annealing to promote Cu-Ni alloying, the pre-implanted C-atoms in the Ni layer are pushed toward the Ni/substrate interface by the top Cu layer due to the poor C-solubility in Cu. As a result, the expelled C-atoms precipitate into a graphene structure at the interface facilitated by the Cu-like alloy catalysis. After removing the alloyed Cu-like surface layer, the layer-tunable graphene on the desired substrate is directly realized. The layer-selectivity, high quality, and uniformity of the graphene films are not only confirmed with detailed characterizations using a suite of surface analysis techniques but more importantly are successfully demonstrated by the excellent properties and performance of several devices directly fabricated from these graphene films. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the reactive force field (ReaxFF) were performed to elucidate the graphene formation mechanisms in this novel synthesis approach. With the wide use of ion implantation technology in the microelectronics industry, this novel graphene synthesis approach with precise layer-tunability and transfer-free processing has the promise to advance efficient graphene-device manufacturing and expedite their versatile applications in many fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evidence for metal sources, fluid-mixing processes, and S isotope recycling within the feeder zone of an Irish type Zn-Pb deposit

The origin and evolution of fluids in Irish-type Zn-Pb deposits remains debated, particularly regarding the mobility of metals such as Cu and Ni, sources of sulphur, and the role of fluid mixing and replacement. The Lisheen Zn-Pb deposit, Ireland, offers a well-defined natural laboratory to investigate these questions. While most studies have focused on the Waulsortian Limestone Formation, the primary sulphide host, less is known about mineralisation in underlying units, such as the Lisduff Oolite Member (LOM). The LOM displays enrichment in Cu and Ni and displays intense replacement textures compared to other hosts at Lisheen, making it an ideal target for studying metal mobility and sulphur recycling in carbonate-hosted systems. Through characterising and studying LOM-hosted sulphides, valuable insights into mineralisation processes, especially related to Cu-Ni metals, can be defined. This study integrates petrography, EMPA, and in situ sulphur isotope (δ 34 S) analysis to investigate sulphide paragenesis, mineral chemistry, and fluid evolution across LOM ore zones. Results reveal a multistage mineralising system involving extensive replacement of early pyrite (Py0, δ 34 S = −28.4 to −21.9 ‰) by sphalerite and galena, with zoned pyrite (Py1) enriched in As-Cu-Ni-Tl. The δ 34 S values and trace element trends indicate mixing between hydrothermal and bacteriogenic sulphur-rich fluids, with evidence for sulphur recycling during replacement. Pyrite textures and compositions capture this evolving fluid regime, with trace element enrichment linked to paragenetic stage. The steel ore region, adjacent to major fault intersections, records intense hydrothermal fluid interaction, hosting Ni- and As-rich phases such as nickeline, gersdorffite, and arsenopyrite. These findings highlight the importance of structural controls and fluid mixing in metal transport and deposition, positioning the LOM as a key stratigraphic unit for understanding ore-forming processes in Irish-type systems. These results have implications for targeting similar carbonate-hosted systems globally, especially where deeper or structurally complex ore zones remain underexplored.

58 - GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ambient and High Pressure CuNiSb 2 : Metal-Ordered and Metal-Disordered NiAs-Type Derivative Pnictides

The mineral Zlatogorite, CuNiSb 2 , was synthesized in the laboratory for the first time by annealing elements at ambient pressure (CuNiSb 2 -AP). Rietveld refinement of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data indicates that CuNiSb 2 -AP crystallizes in the NiAs-derived structure ( P 3 m 1, #164) with Cu and Ni ordering. The structure consists of alternate NiSb 6 and CuSb 6 octahedral layers via face-sharing. The formation of such structure instead of metal disordered NiAs-type structure ( P 6 3 / mm c, #194) is validated by the lower energy of the ordered phase by first-principle calculations. Interatomic crystal orbital Hamilton population, electron localization function, and charge density analysis reveal strong Ni-Sb, Cu-Sb, and Cu-Ni bonding and long weak Sb-Sb interactions in CuNiSb 2 -AP. The magnetic measurement indicates that CuNiSb 2 -AP is Pauli paramagnetic. First-principle calculations and experimental electrical resistivity measurements reveal that CuNiSb 2 -AP is a metal. The low Seebeck coefficient and large thermal conductivity suggest that CuNiSb 2 is not a potential thermoelectric material. Single crystals were grown by chemical vapor transport. The high pressure sample (CuNiSb 2 -8 GPa) was prepared by pressing CuNiSb 2 -AP at 700 °C and 8 GPa. However, the structures of single crystal and CuNiSb 2 -8 GPa are best fit with a disordered metal structure in the P 3 m 1 space group, corroborated by transmission electron microscopy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Structure and glide of Lomer and Lomer-Cottrell dislocations: Atomistic simulations for model concentrated alloy solid solutions

Lomer (L) and Lomer-Cottrell (LC) dislocations have long been considered to be central to work hardening in face-centered cubic (FCC) metals and alloys. These dislocations act as barriers of motion for other dislocations, and can serve as sites for twin nucleation. Recent focus on multicomponent concentrated FCC solid solution alloys has resulted in many reported observations of LC dislocations. While these and L dislocations are expected to have a role in the mechanical behavior of these alloys, little is understood about how variations in composition and associated fault energies change the response of these dislocations under stress. Here we present atomistic simulations of L and LC dislocations in a model Cu-Ni system and find that changes in composition and applied stress conditions result in a wide variety of responses, including changes in core configuration and (100) glide. The results are compared to and extend previous literature related to the nature of L/LC core structures and how they vary with respect to intrinsic materials properties and stress states. This study also provides insights into mechanisms such as twin nucleation that could have important implications for work hardening in FCC solid-solution alloys.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cu–Ni Oxidation Mechanism Unveiled: A Machine Learning-Accelerated First-Principles and in Situ TEM Study

Here, the development of accurate methods for determining how alloy surfaces spontaneously restructure under reactive and corrosive environments is a key, long-standing, grand challenge in materials science. Using machine learning-accelerated density functional theory and rare-event methods, in conjunction with in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM), we examine the interplay between surface reconstructions and preferential segregation tendencies of CuNi(100) surfaces under oxidation conditions. Our modeling approach predicts that oxygen-induced Ni segregation in CuNi alloys favors Cu(100)-O c(2 × 2) reconstruction and destabilizes the Cu(100)-O (2√2 × √2)R45° missing row reconstruction (MRR). In situ ETEM experiments validate these predictions and show Ni segregation followed by NiO nucleation and growth in regions without MRR, with secondary nucleation and growth of Cu 2 O in MRR regions. Our approach based on combining disparate computational components and in situ ETEM provides a holistic description of the oxidation mechanism in CuNi, which applies to other alloy systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Overcoming time and complexity limitations in molecular dynamics investigations of equilibrium melting

Abstract A hybrid Monte-Carlo molecular-dynamics method for determining solidus and liquidus compositions in multicomponent systems is presented that overcomes both the time limitations in conventional molecular dynamics that prevent the evolution of distinct solid and liquid compositions via diffusion and the complexity challenge that prevents use of thermodynamic assessment in systems of many components. This hybrid method is validated in the Cu–Ni system against an independent assessment of solidus and liquidus compositions based on the regular solution model. Strategies for efficient mapping of different phase diagrams, based on the thermodynamic parameter T 0 , the temperature at which two phases of the composition X 0 have equal free energies, are presented and then demonstrated for the copper-nickel fully miscible system and the gold–silicon eutectic system. A calculation of the solidus and liquidus sampled during the equilibrium melting of equiatomic CrMnFeCoNi is performed, indicating that this method has potential to be extended to the study of many component alloys.

Au-Si↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on CuNi3 by Materials Project

Ni3Cu is Tungsten-derived structured and crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmmm space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are two inequivalent Ni sites. In the first Ni site, Ni is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to six Ni and two equivalent Cu atoms. There are two shorter (2.39 Å) and four longer (2.43 Å) Ni–Ni bond lengths. Both Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.46 Å. In the second Ni site, Ni is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to eight Ni atoms. All Ni–Ni bond lengths are 2.43 Å. Cu is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to four equivalent Ni and four equivalent Cu atoms. All Cu–Cu bond lengths are 2.43 Å.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on CuNi by Materials Project

NiCu is Copper-derived structured and crystallizes in the trigonal R-3m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are two inequivalent Ni sites. In the first Ni site, Ni is bonded to six equivalent Ni and six Cu atoms to form NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra that share corners with twelve NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with twelve NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, faces with six equivalent NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, and faces with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra. All Ni–Ni bond lengths are 2.50 Å. All Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.51 Å. In the second Ni site, Ni is bonded to ten equivalent Ni and six Cu atoms to form NiCu6Ni10 cuboctahedra that share corners with ten CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, corners with twelve NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with eight CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with sixteen NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, faces with sixteen equivalent NiCu6Ni10 cuboctahedra, and faces with eighteen CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra. There are a spread of Ni–Ni bond distances ranging from 2.50–5.00 Å. All Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.51 Å. There are three inequivalent Cu sites. In the first Cu site, Cu is bonded to six equivalent Ni and six equivalent Cu atoms to form CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra that share corners with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with twelve equivalent NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, faces with six equivalent CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, and faces with twelve equivalent NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra. All Cu–Cu bond lengths are 2.50 Å. In the second Cu site, Cu is bonded to six Ni and six equivalent Cu atoms to form CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra that share corners with five equivalent NiCu6Ni10 cuboctahedra, corners with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with ten NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, faces with six equivalent CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, and faces with fifteen NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra. All Cu–Ni bond lengths are 2.51 Å. All Cu–Cu bond lengths are 2.50 Å. In the third Cu site, Cu is bonded to six Ni and six equivalent Cu atoms to form CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra that share corners with five equivalent NiCu6Ni10 cuboctahedra, corners with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with ten NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, edges with twelve CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, faces with six equivalent CuCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra, and faces with fifteen NiCu6Ni6 cuboctahedra. All Cu–Cu bond lengths are 2.50 Å.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on Cu3Ni by Materials Project

NiCu3 is Tungsten-derived structured and crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmmm space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Ni is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to four equivalent Ni and four equivalent Cu atoms. All Ni–Ni bond lengths are 2.46 Å. All Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.43 Å. There are two inequivalent Cu sites. In the first Cu site, Cu is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to two equivalent Ni and six Cu atoms. There are four shorter (2.46 Å) and two longer (2.50 Å) Cu–Cu bond lengths. In the second Cu site, Cu is bonded in a distorted body-centered cubic geometry to eight Cu atoms. All Cu–Cu bond lengths are 2.46 Å.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on CuNi3 by Materials Project

Ni3Cu is Copper-derived structured and crystallizes in the tetragonal I4/mmm space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are two inequivalent Ni sites. In the first Ni site, Ni is bonded to eight Ni and four equivalent Cu atoms to form NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra that share corners with twelve equivalent NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra, edges with eight equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, edges with sixteen NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra, faces with four equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, and faces with fourteen NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra. There are four shorter (2.48 Å) and four longer (2.50 Å) Ni–Ni bond lengths. All Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.48 Å. In the second Ni site, Ni is bonded to eight equivalent Ni and four equivalent Cu atoms to form NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra that share corners with four equivalent NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra, corners with eight equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, edges with twenty-four NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra, faces with six equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, and faces with twelve NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra. All Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.50 Å. Cu is bonded to twelve Ni atoms to form CuNi12 cuboctahedra that share corners with four equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, corners with eight equivalent NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra, edges with eight equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, edges with sixteen equivalent NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra, faces with four equivalent CuNi12 cuboctahedra, and faces with fourteen NiCu4Ni8 cuboctahedra.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on CuNi by Materials Project

NiCu crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmmm space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Ni is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to six equivalent Ni and four equivalent Cu atoms. There are four shorter (2.45 Å) and two longer (2.62 Å) Ni–Ni bond lengths. All Ni–Cu bond lengths are 2.45 Å. Cu is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to four equivalent Ni and six equivalent Cu atoms. There are four shorter (2.45 Å) and two longer (2.62 Å) Cu–Cu bond lengths.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗