Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Np(OF)2”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Size-Controlled Nanoparticles Embedded in a Mesoporous Architecture Leading to Efficient and Selective Hydrogenolysis of Polyolefins

A catalytic architecture, comprising a mesoporous silica shell surrounding platinum nanoparticles (NPs) supported on a solid silica sphere (mSiO2/Pt-X/SiO2; X is the mean NP diameter), catalyzes hydrogenolysis of melt-phase polyethylene (PE) into a narrow C23-centered distribution of hydrocarbons in high yield using very low Pt loadings (~10 -5 g Pt/g PE). During catalysis, a polymer chain enters a pore and contacts a Pt NP where the C–C bond cleavage occurs and then the smaller fragment exits the pore. mSiO 2 /Pt/SiO 2 resists sintering or leaching of Pt and provides high yields of liquids; however, many structural and chemical effects on catalysis are not yet resolved. Here, we report the effects of Pt NP size on activity and selectivity in PE hydrogenolysis. Time-dependent conversion and yields and a lumped kinetics model based on the competitive adsorption of long vs short chains reveal that the activity of catalytic material is highest with the smallest NPs, consistent with a structure-sensitive reaction. Remarkably, the three mSiO 2 /Pt-X/SiO 2 catalysts give equivalent selectivity. We propose that mesoscale pores in the catalytic architecture template the C 23 -centered distribution, whereas the active Pt sites influence the carbon–carbon bond cleavage rate. This conclusion provides a framework for catalyst design by separating the C–C bond cleavage activity at catalytic sites from selectivity for chain lengths of the products influenced by the structure of the catalytic architecture. The increased activity, selectivity, efficiency, and lifetime obtained using this architecture highlight the benefits of localized and confined environments for isolated catalytic particles under condensed-phase reaction conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on Cs3Np(Cl2O)2 by Materials Project

Cs3NpO2Cl4 crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/c space group. The structure is three-dimensional. there are two inequivalent Cs1+ sites. In the first Cs1+ site, Cs1+ is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to two equivalent O2- and six Cl1- atoms. There are one shorter (3.22 Å) and one longer (3.23 Å) Cs–O bond lengths. There are a spread of Cs–Cl bond distances ranging from 3.56–3.90 Å. In the second Cs1+ site, Cs1+ is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to two equivalent O2- and six Cl1- atoms. Both Cs–O bond lengths are 3.12 Å. There are a spread of Cs–Cl bond distances ranging from 3.50–3.99 Å. Np5+ is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to two equivalent O2- and four Cl1- atoms. Both Np–O bond lengths are 1.85 Å. All Np–Cl bond lengths are 2.78 Å. O2- is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to three Cs1+ and one Np5+ atom. There are two inequivalent Cl1- sites. In the first Cl1- site, Cl1- is bonded in a 5-coordinate geometry to four Cs1+ and one Np5+ atom. In the second Cl1- site, Cl1- is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to five Cs1+ and one Np5+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on NpUP4H4(CO8)2 by Materials Project

NpUP4H4(CO8)2 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Np4+ is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to eight O2- atoms. There are a spread of Np–O bond distances ranging from 1.81–2.46 Å. U4+ is bonded to six O2- atoms to form UO6 octahedra that share corners with four PCO3 tetrahedra. There are a spread of U–O bond distances ranging from 1.81–2.37 Å. C is bonded in a distorted tetrahedral geometry to two P5+ and two H1+ atoms. There is one shorter (1.79 Å) and one longer (1.81 Å) C–P bond length. Both C–H bond lengths are 1.10 Å. There are two inequivalent P5+ sites. In the first P5+ site, P5+ is bonded to one C and three O2- atoms to form PCO3 tetrahedra that share a cornercorner with one UO6 octahedra and a cornercorner with one PCO3 tetrahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 33°. There are a spread of P–O bond distances ranging from 1.52–1.56 Å. In the second P5+ site, P5+ is bonded to one C and three O2- atoms to form distorted PCO3 tetrahedra that share a cornercorner with one UO6 octahedra and a cornercorner with one PCO3 tetrahedra. The corner-sharing octahedral tilt angles are 8°. There are a spread of P–O bond distances ranging from 1.52–1.58 Å. There are two inequivalent H1+ sites. In the first H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C atom. In the second H1+ site, H1+ is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one C atom. There are nine inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Np4+ and one P5+ atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one P5+ atom. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted linear geometry to one U4+ and one P5+ atom. In the fourth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Np4+ and one P5+ atom. In the fifth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one U4+ atom. In the sixth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to one Np4+ atom. In the seventh O2- site, O2- is bonded in a single-bond geometry to one Np4+ atom. In the eighth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one Np4+ and one P5+ atom. In the ninth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted bent 150 degrees geometry to one U4+ and one P5+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Probing the Framework Metal Dependent Properties of Actinide-Centered Polyoxoalkoxide Sandwich-Type Complexes

Development of a simple and scalable synthesis of (TBA) 3 [W 5 O 18 MoNO] provides for the formation of the mixed-metal lacunary polyoxoalkoxide, (TBA) 2 [W 4 O 13 (OMe) 4 MoNO][Na(MeOH)]. This complex was used to synthesize a series of polyoxoalkoxide sandwich-type complexes with the general formula (TBA) 2 [M{W 4 O 13 (OMe) 4 MoNO} 2 ], where M = Zr(IV), Hf(IV), Th(IV), U(IV), and Np(IV). Compared to the analogous all-molybdenum complexes, the series have drastically different optical and redox properties. The results indicate that framework metal substitution acts as a tool for “orbital engineering”, with Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations revealing that the major consequence of incorporation of tungsten into the complexes is localization of LUMO and LUMO+1 on the molybdenum centers remaining in the molecule. The change in the distribution of the frontier orbitals translates to discrepancies in the electronic properties of the series. Given the rarity of polyoxometalate complexes featuring a U(V) ion, one electron oxidation of (TBA) 2 [U(IV){W 4 O 13 (OMe) 4 MoNO} 2 ] was pursued. Isolation of the corresponding U(V) centered sandwich-type complex is reported, only the second example of U(V)-polyoxometalate complex described to date.

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

Modulating Interactions between Molten Polystyrene and Porous Solids Using Atomic Layer Deposition

Understanding and modulating the interactions between molten polymers and porous solids is important for numerous processes and phenomena including catalytic conversion of polymers and fabrication of nanocomposites and nanostructured materials. Although changing the surface composition of pores would enable modulation of interactions between polymer and nanoporous solids, it is challenging to achieve such a control without inducing significant changes to the size and structure of nanopores. In this work, we demonstrate that the interactions between molten polystyrene (PS) and disordered packings of SiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) can be modulated by changing the surface composition of the NPs using atomic layer deposition (ALD). A disordered packing of silica NPs is modified with varying surface coverages of TiO 2 , WO 3 and CaCO 3 , with coverages estimated by the mass gain and the refractive index change of NP packings. Based on the time required to fully infiltrate these ALD-modified NP packings via capillarity, the contact angles for PS on different surfaces prepared via ALD are determined. The contact angle gradually changes from that of pure SiO 2 to that of the fully covered surfaces. The contact angles for PS on SiO 2 , TiO 2 , WO 3 and CaCO 3 are found to be 20°, 62°, 70° and 10°, respectively. Interestingly, the contact angles and interfacial energies between PS and the ALD-modified surfaces do not correlate strongly with the water contact angle of these surfaces; thus, caution must be exercised in predicting how a polymer would wet or interact with porous solids solely based on their hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the method presented in this work can be extended to study the interactions between a wide range of polymers and surfaces in porous media, which will have important implications for designing new catalytic materials for polymer upcycling reactions as well as novel NP-polymer composite films and membranes with enhanced mechanical and transport properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Reexpansion of charged nanoparticle assemblies in concentrated electrolytes

Electrostatic forces in solutions are highly relevant to a variety of fields, ranging from electrochemical energy storage to biology. However, their manifestation in concentrated electrolytes is not fully understood, as exemplified by counterintuitive observations of colloidal stability and long-ranged repulsions in molten salts. Highly charged biomolecules, such as DNA, respond sensitively to ions in dilute solutions. Here, we use non-base-pairing DNA-coated nanoparticles (DNA-NP) to analyze electrostatic interactions in concentrated salt solutions. Despite their negative charge, these conjugates form colloidal crystals in solutions of sufficient divalent cation concentration. We utilize small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to study such DNA-NP assemblies across the full accessible concentration ranges of aqueous CaCl 2 , MgCl 2 , and SrCl 2 solutions. SAXS shows that the crystallinity and phases of the assembled structures vary with cation type. For all tested salts, the aggregates contract with added ions at low salinities and then begin expanding above a cation-dependent threshold salt concentration. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) reveals enhanced positional correlations between ions in the solution at high salt concentrations. Complementary molecular dynamics simulations show that these ion–ion interactions reduce the favorability of dense ion configurations within the DNA brushes below that of the bulk solution. Measurements in solutions with lowered permittivity demonstrate a simultaneous increase in ion coupling and decrease in the concentration at which aggregate expansion begins, thus confirming the connection between these phenomena. Our work demonstrates that interactions between charged objects continue to evolve considerably into the high-concentration regime, where classical theories project electrostatics to be of negligible consequence.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Isospin dependence of Nucleon-Nucleon Short-range Correlations in Inclusive Scattering with Tritium and Helium-3

The nucleon-nucleon (NN) potential has a strong repulsive core. When a two-nucleon (sub)system falls into this range, they will interact strongly at short distance, and move away from each other with momenta above the Fermi level. This is called the NN Short range Correlations (SRCs). Previous experiments reported a neutron-proton pair (isos inglet) dominance in high-momentum nucleons. In inclusive electron scattering, this np dominance will cause a scaling behavior of cross sections at 1.4 < xbj = Q2/2m? < 2 where the high-momentum nucleons dominate. At Je?erson Lab Hall A we checked this hypothesis with electron Quasi-elastic (QE) scattering on A=3 nuclei systems. Our unique gas cell design made electron-tritium scattering possible for the ?rst time in a decade. The 2H, 3H, and 3He inclusive cross sections at 1 < xbj < 3 were measured in two experiments (E12-11-112 and E12-14-011) with a wide Q2 range (0.4 < Q2 < 3 GeV2). This thesis dis cusses the physics goals, experiment setup, and data analysis of the E12-11-112 experiment. Ratios of 3H/2H, 3He/2H and 3H/3He as well as absolute cross sections are presented at 0.4 < Q2 < 1.8 GeV2. NN SRC plateaus are observed in the cross section ratios at high Q2. The 3H/3He ratio of 0.84±0.01 at NN SRC dominant kinematics indicates a np to pp SRC pair ratio of 2.2±0.2 in A=3 nuclei. That implies a preference in T = 0 isospin singlet con?guration. No plateaus are observed at xbj > 2.

Li, Shujie↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ultra-fast and sensitive magneto-optical hydrogen sensors using a magnetic nano-cap array

Magnetism in curved nano-geometries has opened a new path to design novel characteristics and phenomena that could greatly impact the future fundamental and applied studies of materials. Here, in this report, a hexagonally-packed array of magnetic nano-caps (or nano-patches, NP) exhibiting unique magnetic anisotropy and optimal nanostructure for fast hydrogen kinetics is explored as a sensing element for the spark-free magnetic-circular-dichroism (MCD) H 2 sensor. The MCD H 2 sensor outperforms the state-of-the-art optical sensors reported to date and satisfies the most challenging performance targets imposed by US Department of Energy. In particular, a Pd 67 Co 33 NP sensor exhibits response time of t 90 < 0.9 s, recovery time of t 10 < 9.0 s over the 1-100 mbar H 2 partial pressure range, and limit of detection (LOD) of ~1 ppm. The LOD improves to <700 ppb, when the signal-to-noise ratio is enhanced by stacking three NP arrays. Using a 30-nm TAF (Teflon AF 2400) polymer coating, the sorption kinetics of the Pd 67 Co 33 /TAF sensor are significantly accelerated, with t 90 < 0.4 s and t 10 < 2.8 s over the same pressure range. When the Pd 67 Co 33 /TAF sensor is further coated with a 100-nm poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) layer, a rapid sorption time of t 90 < 0.5 s, LOD < 1 ppm and excellent sensor accuracy (<2.5% full scale) are maintained, while the sensor obtains strong selectivity against interference gases and moisture and a negligible aging effect. The MCD nano-cap sensor platform may have a great impact on the future deployment of H 2 fuel, H 2 environmental monitoring sensors, and fast proton-based magneto-ionic devices.

Fast and sensitive hydrogen sensors↗
DOE OSTI2023

Synthesis of Single Crystal Li 2 NpO 4 and Li 4 NpO 5 from Aqueous Lithium Hydroxide Solutions under Mild Hydrothermal Conditions

The ternary oxides, Li 2 NpO 4 and Li 4 NpO 5 , were synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions using concentrated LiOH solutions containing NpO 2 (NO 3 )( 2 ). The reactions resulted in the formation of single crystals of both compounds, enabling the determination of their single crystal structures for the first time. Further, exploration of the synthetic phase space demonstrates that the resulting neptunate phases are dependent on the concentration of LiOH, transitioning from Li 2 NpO 4 , containing a typical octahedral neptunyl geometry with two shorter Np≡O bonds, at lower LiOH concentrations to Li 4 NpO 5 with two long and four short Np-O bonds under saturated solution conditions. Reactions exploring the same synthetic conditions are also reported for uranyl(VI) for comparison. Raman spectra of the compounds were collected and analyzed to evaluate the Np-O bonding in these compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on NpAgSeO5 by Materials Project

NpAgSeO5 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/c space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Np5+ is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to four O2- atoms. There are a spread of Np–O bond distances ranging from 1.88–2.53 Å. Ag1+ is bonded in a 7-coordinate geometry to seven O2- atoms. There are a spread of Ag–O bond distances ranging from 2.33–2.84 Å. Se4+ is bonded in a 3-coordinate geometry to three O2- atoms. There are a spread of Se–O bond distances ranging from 1.72–1.75 Å. There are five inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to two equivalent Np5+, one Ag1+, and one Se4+ atom. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted trigonal non-coplanar geometry to one Np5+ and two equivalent Ag1+ atoms. In the third O2- site, O2- is bonded in a distorted single-bond geometry to one Se4+ atom. In the fourth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to one Np5+ and three equivalent Ag1+ atoms. In the fifth O2- site, O2- is bonded in a 1-coordinate geometry to one Ag1+ and one Se4+ atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on Li4NpO5 by Materials Project

Li4NpO5 is Caswellsilverite-like structured and crystallizes in the tetragonal I4/m space group. The structure is three-dimensional. Li1+ is bonded to six O2- atoms to form LiO6 octahedra that share a cornercorner with one NpO6 octahedra, corners with five equivalent LiO6 octahedra, edges with three equivalent NpO6 octahedra, and edges with nine equivalent LiO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–9°. There are a spread of Li–O bond distances ranging from 2.06–2.30 Å. Np6+ is bonded to six O2- atoms to form NpO6 octahedra that share corners with two equivalent NpO6 octahedra, corners with four equivalent LiO6 octahedra, and edges with twelve equivalent LiO6 octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–2°. There are four shorter (2.01 Å) and two longer (2.22 Å) Np–O bond lengths. There are two inequivalent O2- sites. In the first O2- site, O2- is bonded to four equivalent Li1+ and two equivalent Np6+ atoms to form OLi4Np2 octahedra that share corners with six OLi4Np2 octahedra and edges with twelve equivalent OLi5Np octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–9°. In the second O2- site, O2- is bonded to five equivalent Li1+ and one Np6+ atom to form a mixture of edge and corner-sharing OLi5Np octahedra. The corner-sharing octahedra tilt angles range from 0–9°.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

First search for sterile neutrino oscillation leading to $ν_μ$ disappearance in the Booster Neutrino Beam at ICARUS

We present a search for muon neutrino disappearance in the Booster Neutrino Beam (BNB) at Fermilab using the ICARUS detector. Neutrino interactions identified as muon neutrinos interacting with argon nuclei via the charged current interaction and having only a muon and at least one proton in the final state (1$μ$Np) have been selected from data collected in 2022-2023 (ICARUS Run 2) and compared with a simulation-based expectation. In the context of a fit to a two-neutrino approximation of the sterile 3+1 model, including the impact of systematic uncertainty from the flux, neutrino interaction, and detector models, we find no statistically significant muon neutrino disappearance at the ICARUS baseline of 600 meters from the BNB target. Corresponding 90% C.L. exclusion contours in $Δm^2_{41}$ - sin$^22θ_{μμ}$ space are presented. This is the first oscillation analysis produced by ICARUS exposed to the BNB. We note that the analysis is systematics limited due to large unconstrained uncertainties from the flux and interaction models. In future joint analyses, data from ICARUS and the SBND detector, exposed to the BNB at 110 meters from target, will be combined to provide significant constraint of these uncertainties, enabling a robust, world-leading two-detector analysis.

Alrahman, F. Abd [Houston U.]↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structural and Spectroscopic Trends in Alkali Tris(Acetato)Actinyl(VI) Complexes

A series of alkali tris(acetato)actinyl(VI) compounds M[AnO 2 (CH 3 COO) 3 ] (M=Na, K, Rb, Cs and An=U, Np, Pu) is reported, applying a combination of singlecrystal X-ray diffraction, solid-state Raman spectroscopy, and U(VI) luminescence spectroscopy for their structural and spectroscopic characterization. The results show that complexes formed from the same alkali metal but different actinyl ions are mostly isostructural. The symmetric actinyl stretch (ν 1 (An=O yl )) in these isostructural complexes undergoes a redshift within the actinide series despite the shortening of the actinyl bond due to the actinide contraction. Complexes formed from the same actinyl but co-crystallized with different alkali metals show a progression toward lower space group symmetry. While the actinyl bond length remains unmodulated within the alkali series, a small redshift of ν 1 (An=O yl ) is observed, indicating minor changes in the vibrational properties of the actinyl moiety caused by the structural progression towards lower symmetry. This subtle change is also evidenced by a redshift of the U(VI) luminescence spectra within the M[UO 2 (CH 3 COO) 3 ] series.

Raman↗
DOE OSTI2023

Catalytic Transformation of Positional Nitrophenol Isomers on Highly Active Ag/Linde‐Type A4 Zeolite: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract The catalytic transformation of ortho‐( o‐ NP), meta‐( m‐ NP) and para‐nitrophenols ( p‐ NP) by Ag nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) stabilised on zeolite A4 (ZA4) is presented for the first time. The catalysts are prepared by microwave‐assisted synthesis (Ag/ZA4‐MW) or ion exchange (Ag/ZA4‐IE). The results indicate that the nitrophenol reduction rate depends on the molecule structure and the presence of low‐coordinated metallic Ag‐NPs (∼2 nm and sub nanometric species). Meanwhile, the reactivity tendency depends on the synthesis methodology ( m‐ NP> p‐ NP> o‐ NP and o‐ NP> m‐ NP> p‐ NP for Ag/ZA4‐MW and Ag/ZA4‐IE, respectively). The turnover frequency (TOF) values estimated for nitrophenols reduction are superior for Ag/ZA4‐MW catalyst by several orders of magnitude compared with those obtained for Ag/ZA4‐IE catalyst. In addition, the catalyst exhibits remarkable catalytic stability for the reduction of p‐ NP even after the fifth consecutive catalytic run. The presently prepared catalysts are characterised by superior catalytic activity for the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds than similar Ag‐based materials reported in the literature.

Horta‐Fraijo, Patricia↗
DOE OSTI2023

A TLR7-nanoparticle adjuvant promotes a broad immune response against heterologous strains of influenza and SARS-CoV-2

The ideal vaccine against viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 must provide a robust, durable and broad immune protection against multiple viral variants. However, antibody responses to current vaccines often lack robust cross-reactivity. Here we describe a polymeric Toll-like receptor 7 agonist nanoparticle (TLR7-NP) adjuvant, which enhances lymph node targeting, and leads to persistent activation of immune cells and broad immune responses. When mixed with alum-adsorbed antigens, this TLR7-NP adjuvant elicits cross-reactive antibodies for both dominant and subdominant epitopes and antigen-specific CD8 + T-cell responses in mice. This TLR7-NP-adjuvanted influenza subunit vaccine successfully protects mice against viral challenge of a different strain. This strategy also enhances the antibody response to a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine against multiple viral variants that have emerged. Moreover, this TLR7-NP augments antigen-specific responses in human tonsil organoids. Overall, we describe a nanoparticle adjuvant to improve immune responses to viral antigens, with promising implications for developing broadly protective vaccines.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Materials Data on NpSe3 by Materials Project

NpSe3 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2_1/m space group. The structure is two-dimensional and consists of one NpSe3 sheet oriented in the (0, 0, 1) direction. Np6+ is bonded in a 8-coordinate geometry to eight Se2- atoms. There are a spread of Np–Se bond distances ranging from 2.88–2.96 Å. There are three inequivalent Se2- sites. In the first Se2- site, Se2- is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to two equivalent Np6+ and one Se2- atom. The Se–Se bond length is 2.37 Å. In the second Se2- site, Se2- is bonded to four equivalent Np6+ atoms to form a mixture of distorted corner and edge-sharing SeNp4 trigonal pyramids. In the third Se2- site, Se2- is bonded in a 2-coordinate geometry to two equivalent Np6+ and one Se2- atom.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Neptunium mononitride as a target material for Pu-238 production

Deep space exploration requires specialized sources for both thermal and power applications. Radioactive decay heat of plutonium-238 (238Pu) provides these sources in the form of radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs). The 238 Pu is produced via neutron capture reaction involving neptunium-237 ( 237 Np) target material. Continual optimization of 237 Np target materials and evaluation of potential alternative targets for production of 238 Pu RTGs are advantageous for meeting ongoing space power system resource requirements. Current production of 238 Pu for RTGs for the United States space program utilizes neptunium dioxide ( 237 NpO 2 ) targets; however, the use of neptunium mononitride ( 237 NpN) presents an opportunity to increase the mass of 237 Np per target compared to the dioxide form, as well as increase the thermal conductivity of the target. To assess the viability of a 237 NpN target material, the material chemistry must be thoroughly evaluated, including synthesis methods and dissolution and reprocessing schemes. This review presents a summary of synthesis pathways for 237 NpN based on published literature on actinide mononitrides. Specific literature on 237 NpN is limited, necessitating evaluation of other actinide systems to gather parallels. This suggests a need for additional experimental studies on 237 NpN. A particular limitation in the existing literature is a lack of information on the differences in material characteristics, such as morphology, particle size, and trace chemical impurities, as a function of synthesis method. These parameters may affect subsequent reactor performance or dissolution of irradiated targets. The evaluation of existing literature is presented with a focus on the efficacy of 237 NpN targets for 238 Pu production.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗