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Karkamkar, Abhijeet J

Publications and source records attributed to Karkamkar, Abhijeet J.

15 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

3-Methyl-1,2-BN-Cyclopentane: A Promising H2 Storage Material?

We provide detailed characterization of properties for 3-methyl-1,2-BN-cyclopentane 1 that are relevant to H2 storage applications such as viscosity, thermal stability, H2 gas stream purity, and polarity. The viscosity of 1 at room temperature is 25±5 cP, about one fourth the viscosity of olive oil. TGA/MS analysis indicates that liquid carrier 1 is thermally stable at 30 °C but decomposes slowly at 50 °C. RGA data suggest that the H2 desorption from 1 is a clean process, producing relatively pure H2 gas. Compound 1 is a polar zwitterionic type liquid consistent with theoretical predictions and solvatochromic studies. "T.A. acknowledges support from the Fuel Cell Technology Program at U.S. DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency 65 and Renewable Energy. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle."

Luo, Wei↗
DOE OSTI2013

A Thermodynamic and Kenetic Study of the Heterolytic Activation of Hydrogen by Frustrated Borane-Amine Lewis Pairs

Calorimetry is used to measure the reaction enthalpies of hydrogen activation by 2,6-lutidine (Lut), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TMP), N-methyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (MeTMP) and tri-tert-butylphosphine (TBP) with tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF). At 6.6 bar H2 the conversion of the Lewis acid Lewis base pair to the corresponding ionic pair in bromobenzene at 294 K was quantitative in under 60 minutes. Integration of the heat release from the reaction of the Frustrated Lewis Pair (FLP) with hydrogen as a function of time yields a relative rate of hydrogenation in addition to the enthalpy of hydrogenation. The half-lives of hydrogenation range from 230 seconds with TMP, ΔHH2 = -31.5(0.2) kcal/mol, to 1400 seconds with Lut, ΔHH2 = -23.4(0.4) kcal/mol. The 11B NMR spectrum of B(C6F5)3 in bromobenzene exhibits three distinct traits depending on the sterics of the Lewis base; (i) in the presence of pyridine, only the dative bond adduct pyridine--B(C6F5)3 is observed, (ii) in the presence of TMP and MeTMP only the free B(C6F5)3 is observed, and (iii) in the presence of Lut both the free B(C6F5)3 and the Lut--B(C6F5)3 adduct appear in equilibrium. A measure of the change in Keq of Lut + B(C6F5)3 <->Lut--B(C6F5)3 as a function of temperature provides thermodynamic properties of the Lewis acid Lewis base adduct, ΔH = -17.9(1.0) kcal/mol and a ΔS = -49.2(2.5) cal/mol K, suggesting the Lut--B(C6F5)3 adduct is more stable in bromobenzene than in toluene. This research was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Biosciences and Geosciences. D.M.C. and A.K. acknowledges support by the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to perform kinetic analyses of the calorimetry data. The work was performed in part at EMSL, a national scientific user facility sponsored by the DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research. EMSL is located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which is operated by Battelle for DOE.

calorimetry↗
DOE OSTI2012

Immobilizing Highly Catalytically Active Pt Nanoparticles inside the Pores of Metal-Organic Framework: A Double Solvents Approach

Ultrafine Pt nanoparticles were successfully immobilized inside the pores of a metal-organic framework MIL-101 without deposition of Pt nanoparticles on the external surfaces of framework by using a 'double solvents' method. The resulting Pt@MIL-101 composites with different Pt loadings represent the first highly active MOF-immobilized metal nanocatalysts for catalytic reactions in all three phases: liquid-phase ammonia borane hydrolysis; solid-phase ammonia borane thermal dehy-drogenation and gas-phase CO oxidation. The observed excellent catalytic performances are at-tributed to the small Pt nanoparticles within the pores of MIL-101. 'We are thankful to AIST and METI for financial support. TA & AK are thankful for support from the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences. PNNL is operated by Battelle.'

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Investigation of Hydrogen Release from Ethane 1,2-di-amineborane

The thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen (H2) release from ethane 1,2-di-amineborane (EDAB, BH3NH2CH2CH2NH2BH3) were measured using Calvet and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), pressure-composition isotherms, and volumetric gas-burette experiments. The results presented here indicate that EDAB releases ~ 9 wt.% H2 at temperatures ranging from 100 °C to 200 °C in two moderately exothermic steps, approximately -10±1 kJ/mol H2 and -3.8±1 kJ/mol H2. Isothermal kinetic analysis shows that EDAB is more stable than ammonia borane (AB) at temperatures lower than 100°C; however, the rates of hydrogen release are faster for EDAB than for AB at temperatures higher than 120°C. In addition, no volatile impurities in the H2 released by EDAB were detected by mass spectrometry upon heating with 1°C/min to 200°C in a calorimeter.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2011

Bubbling Reactor Technology for Rapid Synthesis of Uniform, Small MFI-Type Zeolite Crystals

MFI-type zeolite is an important family of materials used in today’s industries as catalysts and adsorbents. Preparation of this type of zeolite material as uniform and pure crystals of sizes from tens of nanometer to hundreds of nanometer are not only desired by current catalytic and adsorption processes for enhanced reaction kinetics and/or selectivity, but also much needed by some new applications, such as CO2 capture adsorbents and composite materials. However, it has been a major challenge in the zeolite synthesis field to prepare small crystals of MFI-type zeolite over a range of Si/Al ratio with very high throughput. In this work, a gas-bubbling flow reactor is used to conduct hydrothermal growth of the zeolite crystals with controllable Si/Al ratio and crystal sizes. Distinctive, uniform ZSM-5 crystals are successfully synthesized within two hours of reaction time, exceptionally short compared to the conventional synthesis process. The crystals are small enough to form a stable milk-like suspension in water. The Si/Al ratio can be controlled by adjusting the growth solution composition and reaction conditions over a range from about 9 to infinity. Characterization by SEM/EDS, XRD, TEM, N2 adsorption/desorption, and NMR confirms ZSM-5 crystal structures and reveals presence of meso-porosity in the resulting crystals.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Control of hydrogen release and uptake in amine borane molecular complexes: Thermodynamics of ammonia borane, ammonium borohydride, and the diammoniate of diborane

Molecular complexes of Lewis acid-base pairs can be used to activate molecular hydrogen for applications ranging from hydrogen storage for fuel cells to catalytic hydrogenation reactions. In this paper, we examine the factors that determine the thermodynamics of hydrogen activation of a Lewis acid-base pair using the pedagogical examples of ammonia borane (NH3BH3, AB) and ammonium borohydride ([NH4][BH4], ABH2). At ambient temperatures, ABH2 loses hydrogen to form the Lewis acid-base complex AB, suggesting that free energy drives the reaction to release hydrogen. However, direct measurement of the reaction enthalpy is not straightforward given the complex decomposition pathways leading to the formation of the diammoniate of diborane ([NH3BH3NH3][BH4], DADB). In this work, we compare two approaches for deriving the thermodynamic relationships among AB, DADB, and ABH2.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2011

Recovery of Iron/Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from Solution: Comparison of Methods and their Effects

Most methods currently being used to recover Fe0-core/oxide-shell nanoparticles from solutions (including the solvents they are synthesized or stored in) are potentially problematic because they may alter the particle composition (e.g., depositing salts formed from solutes) or leave the particles prone to transformations during subsequent storage and handling (e.g., due to residual moisture). In this study, several methods for recovery of nanoparticles from aqueous solution were studied to determine how they affect the structure and reactivity of the recovered materials. Simple washing of the nanoparticles during vacuum filtration (i.e., “flash drying”) can leave up to ~17 weight percent residual moisture. Modeling calculations suggest this moisture is mostly capillary or matric water held between particles and particle aggregates, which can be removed by drying for short periods at relative vapor pressures below 0.9. Flash drying followed by vacuum drying, all under N2, leaves no detectable residue from precipitation of solutes (detectable by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS), no significant changes in overall particle composition or structure (determined by transmission electron microscopy, TEM), and negligible residual moisture (by thermogravimetric analysis, TGA). While this improved flash-drying protocol may be the preferred method for recovering nanoparticles for many purposes, we found that Fe0-core/oxide-shell nanoparticles still exhibit gradual aging during storage when characterized electrochemically with voltammetry.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Process for synthesis of ammonia borane for bulk hydrogen storage

The present invention discloses new methods for synthesizing ammonia borane (NH.sub.3BH.sub.3, or AB). Ammonium borohydride (NH.sub.4BH.sub.4) is formed from the reaction of borohydride salts and ammonium salts in liquid ammonia. Ammonium borohydride is decomposed in an ether-based solvent that yields AB at a near quantitative yield. The AB product shows promise as a chemical hydrogen storage material for fuel cell powered applications.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2011

Reversible Dehydrogenation of Magnesium Borohydride to Magnesium Triborane in the Solid State Under Moderate Conditions

Thermal decomposition of magnesium borohydride, Mg(BH4)2, in the solid state was studied by a combination of PCT, TGA/MS and NMR spectroscopy. Dehydrogenation of Mg(BH4)2 at 200 °C, results in the highly selective formation of magnesium triborane, Mg(B3H8)2. This process is reversible at 250 °C under 120 atm H2. Dehydrogenation at higher temperature, > 300 °C, produces a complex mixture of polyborane species. Solution phase 11B NMR spectra of the hydrolyzed decomposition products reveals the formation of the B3H8 anion, boric acid from hydrolysis of the unstable polyboranes (BnHx) (n = 3-11, x >8), and the closoborane B12H12 dianion as a minor product. A BH condensation mechanism involving metal hydride formation is proposed to explain the limited reversible hydrogen storage in magnesium borohydride.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2010

The diammoniate of diborane: Crystal structure and hydrogen release

[(NH3)2BH2]+[BH4]- is formed from the room temperature decomposition of NH4+BH4-, via a NH3BH3 intermediate. Its crystal structure has been determined and contains disordered BH4- ions in 2 distinct sites. Hydrogen release is similar to that from NH3BH3 but with faster kinetics.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2010

Decomposition Pathway of Ammonia Borane on the Surface of nano-BN

Ammonia borane (AB) is under significant investigation as a possible hydrogen storage material. While many chemical additives have been demonstrated to have a significant positive effect on hydrogen release from ammonia borane, many provide additional complications in the regeneration cycle. Mechanically alloyed hexagonal BN (nano-BN) has been shown to facilitate the release of hydrogen from AB at lower temperature, with minimal induction time, less exothermically, and inert nano-BN may be easily removed during any regeneration of the spent AB. The samples were prepared by mechanically alloying AB with nano-BN. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the AB:nano-BN samples are physical mixtures of AB and h-BN. The release of hydrogen from AB:nano-BN mixtures as well as the decomposition products were characterized by 11 B magic angle spinning (MAS) solid state NMR, TGA/DSC/MS with 15 N labeled AB, and solution 11 B NMR spectroscopy. The 11 B MAS solid state NMR spectrum shows that diammonate of diborane (DADB) is present in the mechanically alloyed mixture, which drastically shortens the induction period for hydrogen release from AB. Analysis of the TGA/DSC/MS spectra using 15 N labeled AB shows that all the borazine (BZ) produced in the reaction comes from AB and that increasing nano-BN surface area results in increased amounts of BZ. However, under high temperature, 150°C, isothermal conditions, the amount of BZ released was the same as for neat AB. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area diffraction (SAD), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) of the initial and final nano-BN additive provide evidence for crystallinity loss but not significant chemical changes. The higher concentration of BZ observed for low temperature dehydrogenation of AB:nano-BN mixtures versus neat AB is attributed to a surface interaction that favors the formation of precursors which ultimately result in BZ. This pathway can be avoided through isothermal heating at temperatures >150°C.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2010

Synthesis, Structure and Dehydrogenation of Magnesium Amidoborane Monoammoniate

Magnesium amidoborane monoammoniate (Mg(NH2BH3)2 NH3) which crystallizes in a monoclinic structure (space group P21/a) has been synthesized by reacting MgNH with NH3BH3. Dihydrogen bonds are established between coordinated NH3 and BH3 of [NH2BH3] in the structure, promoting stoichiometric conversion of NH3 to H2. T. A. and A. K. acknowledge support from US DoE EERE CHS CoE. The high-field NMR experiments described here were carried out in the Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory, a national scientific user facility sponsored by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research and located at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2010

Characterization of a New Phase of Ammonia Borane

An uncharacterized phase of ammonia borane (AB) was previously identified while investigating its thermal decomposition. This phase was identified as a key intermediate for the release of hydrogen from AB prompting the current characterization study. The new phase was investigated extensively using in situ solid state MAS NMR spectroscopy, including 11B, 15N and 1H NMR. Single-pulse excitation, cross polarization and T1 relaxation experiments collectively demonstrate a significant increase in mobility for the new phase when compared to the room temperature crystalline phase of AB. However, the data are not completely consistent with a liquid phase. The data are also not consistent with a solid phase, but are most consistent with a phase best described as “liquid-like”. This implies a disruption of the long-range order which is primarily stabilized by the extensive dihydrogen bonding network, allowing increased motional freedom. X-ray diffraction and Raman thermal decomposition data of neat AB provide support for a disordered phase, as does data of AB immobilized into a mesoporous scaffold. These observations suggest that a breakdown of the extensive hydrogen bonding network is necessary before hydrogen can be released and will be an important factor in the practical use of AB as a hydrogen storage material. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2010

Storing Hydrogen

Researchers have been studying mesoporous materials for almost two decades with a view to using them as hosts for small molecules and scaffolds for molding organic compounds into new hybrid materials and nanoparticles. Their use as potential storage systems for large quantities of hydrogen has also been mooted. Such systems that might hold large quantities of hydrogen safely and in a very compact volume would have enormous potential for powering fuel cell vehicles, for instance. A sponge-like form of silicon dioxide, the stuff of sand particles and computer chips, can soak up and store other compounds including hydrogen. Studies carried out at the XOR/BESSRC 11-ID-B beamline at the APS have revealed that the nanoscopic properties of the hydrogenrich compound ammonia borane help it store hydrogen more efficiently than usual. The material may have potential for addressing the storage issues associated with a future hydrogen economy. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy.

08 HYDROGEN↗