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At least 217 records · Page 12

Fatigue behavior of low-cost, non-spherical Ti-6Al-4V powder processed via laser powder bed fusion

Hydride-dehydride Ti-6Al-4V powder with particle size distribution of 75–175 μm were used to manufacture fatigue samples. Optimized processing parameters were used to maintain a relative density of >99.5% in the samples. Fatigue tests were carried out in R = σ min /σ max = -1 condition under stresses ranging from 150 to 500 MPa and the results were compared to samples that were additively manufactured using spherical powders. The fatigue lives were similar between the two types of powder; i.e., powder morphology has no effect on fatigue performance. However, the high surface roughness and martensitic microstructure resulting from the laser powder bed fusion process result in poor performance compared to samples machined from conventionally produced materials. In conclusion, crack initiation occurred consistently from surface defects because of high surface roughness of the additively manufactured parts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Tritium adsorption and absorption on (100) and (001) surfaces of pure and tin defective zirconium

Zirconium alloys such as zircaloy-4 are used as tritium (T) getter materials in tritium-producing burnable absorber rods (TPBARs) due to their ability to capture T, thereby forming metal hydrides. Developing an understanding of T adsorption onto zircaloy prior to diffusion into the subsurface is relevant for rational tritium getter and TPBAR design, to improve material properties for nuclear applications. Herein, density functional theory calculations revealed the preferred binding sites for T adsorption on Zr(001) and Zr(100). The energy barriers of T transfer, along the surface and from the surface to the subsurface were computed. The adsorption properties of Zr(001) were found to be superior to those of Zr(100). Surface tin impurities were found to strongly repel T. The presence of subsurface and surface tin resulted in higher absorption energy barriers for both the forward and reverse processes. Based on the calculated energy barriers, a surface to surface T diffusion coefficient of 9.53 × 10 -10 m 2 s -1 is expected for pristine Zr(001). Finally, a surface to subsurface T diffusion coefficient on the order of 10 -13 m 2 s -1 is predicted in pristine Zr, decreasing to 10 -19 m 2 s -1 for the transfer with a subsurface tin impurity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Hydrogen Storage System Cost Analysis (2017-2021) (Final Report)

This final technical report summarizes hydrogen storage system cost analysis results from 2017-2021. Results include onboard hydrogen storage system costs for light-duty vehicles, medium-duty vehicles, heavy-duty vehicles, class 8 long haul trucks, and passenger buses. Multiple storage systems are included, primarily focusing on compressed and cryo-compressed hydrogen in Type 3 and Type 4 storage systems. Additional analysis includes large-scale gaseous and liquid hydrogen storage at refueling stations in tube trailers and Dewars; advanced materials-based storage systems such as metal organic frameworks and metal hydrides; and a baseline setting analysis of compressed natural gas storage systems in support of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Initiative (IACMI). Analyses were primarily conducted using a Design for Manufacture and Assembly ® methodology, which is a bottom-up process-based approach to estimating factory costs. Multiple annual production rates are reported to project high-volume costs relevant to mature markets.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Development of Hydrogen Permeation Barrier and Matrix Interaction Protection Coatings for TZM Enclosure of Hydride Moderators (Microreactor Program M3 Report)

It is important to develop a high-performance enclosure solution for hydride-based microreactor moderation components to effectively suppress hydride thermal decomposition and prevent hydrogen loss in harsh in-reactor environments. Currently, the DOE-NE Microreactor Program (MR program) is investigating the titanium-zirconium-molybdenum (TZM) canned yttrium hydride (YH 2-x ) solution, which provides acceptable hydrogen retainment performance up to ~700 °C. However, improvements in the enclosure are necessary for increasing long-term operation temperature beyond 700 °C and enhancing short-term survivability at even higher temperatures during power transients. One potential solution is the addition of a dedicated hydrogen permeation barrier, which can potentially improve the enclosure's performance. Furthermore, the hydride moderator components will be inserted into the microreactor matrix, which may consist of materials that are not chemically inert against TZM. Therefore, the TZM might need to be protected from the external environment through the application of another surface protection coating. To address these critical issues, two types of barrier coatings optimized for TZM-based moderator enclosure has been developed. A multilayer coating approach has been used to identify TZM-compatible barrier materials. Behavior of these coating designs against H 2 permeation and long-term high-temperature graphite matrix interactions has been examined in detail. Additionally, the developed coatings' behavior when exposed to both high-temperature thermal cycling and heavy-ion irradiation has also been investigated. Overall, the development of these barrier coatings is essential for achieving maturity for the metal hydride moderator technology. The results in this report will provide crucial insights into the behavior of the developed coatings and their potential for improving the long-term performance of TZM-based moderator enclosures.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Imaging the Phase Evolution of the Li-N-H Hydrogen Storage System

Complex metal hydrides provide high-density hydrogen storage, which is essential for vehicular applications. However, the utility of these materials has been limited by thermodynamic and kinetic barriers present during the dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation processes as new phases form inside parent phases. Better understanding of the mixed-phase mesostructures and their interfaces may assist in improving cyclability. In this work, the evolution of the phases during hydrogenation of lithium nitride and dehydrogenation of lithium amide with lithium hydride are probed with scanning-transmission X-ray microscopy at the nitrogen K edge. With this technique, intriguing core-shell structures were observed in particles of both partially hydrogenated Li 3 N and partially dehydrogenated LiNH 2 + 2 LiH. The potential contributions of both internal hydrogen mobility and interfacial energies on the generation of these structures are discussed.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Structure and Superconductivity of Hydrogenated TiZr Alloys Under High Pressure

The effects of pressure on the structure and electrical transport properties, including electrical resistance and critical magnetic field values for superconductivity in pristine and hydrogenated TiZr alloys, were investigated. As pressure increased from ambient to 55 GPa, the structure of the pristine TiZr alloys transformed from hcp to bcc via an intermediate ω phase. The superconducting transition temperature (T c ) significantly increased from 1.76 K at ambient pressure to 15.5 K at 52.2 GPa, accompanied by an extrapolated upper critical field of 24.5 T at T = 0 K. In contrast, the hydrogenated samples exhibited substantially lower T c values compared to the pristine ones, with a T c of 4.6 K at 50.5 GPa and an extrapolated upper critical field of 1.8 T at T = 0 K. Upon decompression, the superconductivity in the hydrogenated sample persisted down to 25 GPa, disappearing when the pressure was reduced to 19 GPa. Synchrotron X-ray diffractions (XRD) analysis revealed the formation of three hydrides: I4/mmm-(Ti, Zr)H 2 , P6 3 /mmc-(Ti, Zr)H 3 , and I4̅3d-(Ti,Zr) 4 H 15 . Finally, by combining XRD and electrical resistance data, we tentatively propose that the P6 3 /mmc-(Ti, Zr)H 3 predominantly induces superconductivity. In contrast to superhydrides, where electron–phonon interactions increase the superconducting temperature at high pressure, hydrogen atoms in hcp-(Ti, Zr)H 3 reduce T c .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

PIE-Enabled Study of Aqueous Corrosion & Zr Hydriding in Cr-Coated Cladding: M3GV-23PN0101132

Chromium-coated zirconium alloy cladding is under investigation as an accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) concept to extend performance to higher burnups via improved oxidation resistance and reduced hydrogen pickup. However, hydrothermal corrosion behavior and hydrogen transport mechanisms governing in-service hydriding of these coatings remain poorly understood. In a collaborative study between Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and the University of Huddersfield, cold spray (CS) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) Cr-coated Optimized ZIRLO™ cladding samples were characterized after exposure to PWR-simulated water chemistry under both in-core (neutron irradiation) and out-of-core (aqueous-only) conditions at the MIT Research Reactor. Multi-scale characterization was performed independently at PNNL and INL to evaluate coating integrity, microstructural evolution, Cr/Zr interface chemistry, and hydride formation. Both laboratories observed a consistent divergence in hydriding behavior: out-of-core CS Cr-coated cladding exhibited elevated hydride concentrations exceeding those of uncoated cladding, whereas in-core CS samples showed substantially suppressed hydriding. In-core specimens also displayed irradiation-specific features, including nanoscale voids within the Cr coating and radiation-induced segregation clusters in the Zr substrate. CS coatings retained an interdiffusion-free Cr/Zr bond with no intermetallic layer, whereas PVD coatings exhibited inferior quality with visible cracks and pores. An automated image-based hydride quantification method systematically overestimated bulk hydrogen content relative to inert gas fusion measurements, underscoring the need for standardized sample preparation and reference standards. Interpretation of hydride nucleation and growth is complicated by the open inner-diameter of the specimens, which provides additional hydrogen pathways. The results motivate further foundational studies to support predictive models of hydrothermal corrosion and hydrogen transport in unirradiated and irradiated Cr-coated cladding.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Surface chemistry models for GaAs epitaxial growth and hydride cracking using reacting flow simulations

Hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) is a promising technology that can aid in the cost reduction of III-V materials and devices manufacturing, particularly high-efficiency solar cells for space and terrestrial applications. However, recent demonstrations of ultrafast growth rates (~500 µm/h) via uncracked hydrides are not well described by present models for the growth. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the kinetics of the growth process and its coupling with transport phenomena, so as to enable fast and uniform epitaxial growth. In this work, we derive a kinetic model using experimental data and integrate it into a computational fluid dynamics simulation of an HVPE growth reactor. We also modify an existing hydride cracking model that we validate against numerical simulations and experimental data. Here, we show that the developed growth model and the improved cracking model are able to reproduce experimental growth measurements of GaAs in an existing HVPE system.

CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS↗

Machine Learning Thermodynamics And Kinetics of Defects For Accelerated Materials Discovery

Atomistic defects play a pivotal role in functional and structural materials’ performance across a myriad of technology applications. Quantitative prediction of the thermodynamics and kinetics of defect formation and migration, respectively, typically requires accurate but expensive first-principles approaches, such as density functional theory (DFT). Their computational expense limits the throughput needed to perform high-throughput materials discovery/screening exercises or to perform materials modeling tasks relying on extensive sampling techniques. Therefore, in this Sandia National Laboratories Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project (Project #229366), we developed a variety of machine learning techniques, trained on density functional theory calculations, to accelerate the discovery and modeling of materials in which vacancy and interstitial defects primarily dictate material performance. These include applications such as metal oxides for water-splitting or mixed ionic-electronic conduction, metal hydrides for hydrogen storage, and transition metal dichalcogenides for electronics, and the approaches developed herein can further be applied to many other domains that similarly depend on materials’ thermodynamic and kinetic defect properties for their desired functionality.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Capsule Design and Preparation for YH x Specimen Irradiation in the High Flux Isotope Reactor

Advanced nuclear systems for terrestrial microreactors and space applications require moderator materials with high thermal stability, hydrogen retention, and efficient neutron moderation. Yttrium hydride (YH x ) is a promising candidate, but its irradiation performance and hydrogen stability remain insufficiently understood. To address this, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory, supported by the US Department of Energy’s Nuclear Science User Facilities program, have initiated an irradiation campaign in ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor. The experiment employs six irradiation capsules containing YH x specimens (H/Y ≈ 1.9) designed for three target temperatures (300°C, 400°C, and 500°C) and two distinct neutron fast fluence levels. This report documents the irradiation test matrix, capsule design, specimen precharacterization, and experiment readiness for insertion. Planned postirradiation examinations will provide new insights into hydrogen retention and microstructural stability, advancing the understanding of YHx as a moderator for compact reactor applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Understanding process-microstructure-property relationships in laser powder bed fusion of non-spherical Ti-6Al-4V powder

Powder feedstock is a major cost driver in metal additive manufacturing (AM). Replacing the spherical powder with the cost-efficient non-spherical one can reduce the feedstock cost up to 50% and attract more interest to adopt AM in production and new alloy development. Here, for this paper, a comprehensive study was conducted to understand process-microstructure-property relationships in laser powder bed fusion of hydride-dehydride Ti-6Al-4V powder. We demonstrated that variation of laser scan speed had a significant impact on the grain structure, pore evolution and properties compared to laser power. Dynamic X-ray radiography showed that with decreasing scan speed at a constant laser power, a transition from conduction to keyhole mode laser processing occurred, in which a deeper melt pool at lower scan speed intensified texture. In other words, an increase in laser scan speed resulted in formation of the refined prior β grains with shape factor of ~5, lowering the anisotropy. Furthermore, the degree of variant selection was evaluated based on the analyzed texture as a function of laser power and scan speed. With increasing laser scan speed, the dominant α/α boundary type was altered from type 2 to 4 and the degree of variant selection was noticeably decreased. On the other hand, increasing laser power left the morphology of prior β grains, their size, and the dominant α/α boundary (type 4) unchanged, while the texture and anisotropy were intensified, and the degree of variant selection was slightly decreased. Finally, dependency of surface roughness and microhardness were discussed as a function of laser processing parameters.

variant selection↗

Hydriding, Oxidation, and Ductility Evaluation of Cr-Coated Zircaloy-4 Tubing

Accident-tolerant fuel concepts have been developed recently in diverse research programs. Recent research has shown clear advantages of Cr-coated Zr cladding over bare cladding tubes regarding oxidation behavior under the design basis loss-of-coolant accident condition. However, limited data are available about the hydriding behavior of the Cr coating. For that purpose, Cr-coated Zricaloy-4 tubes were tested to investigate the effects of hydriding, oxidation, and postquench ductility behavior on coated Zr cladding. A high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) process was used to produce a high-density coating on the Zircaloy-4 tube surface. Coated and uncoated Zircaloy-4 tube specimens underwent one-sided hydriding in a tube furnace filled with pure hydrogen gas at 425 °C. The tubing specimen ends were sealed with Swagelok plugs before the hydriding runs. For uncoated specimens, H analysis of the hydrided specimens indicated that the H content increased as the test time and initial pressure increased. However, almost no change was observed for the coated specimens that were hydrided under the same test conditions. After one-sided hydriding, the hydrided coated and uncoated specimens were exposed to steam at high temperatures for two-sided oxidation studies to simulate accident conditions. The coated specimens showed a slower oxidation: oxygen pickup was 50% lower than the uncoated specimens tested under the same conditions. Ring compression testing was performed to evaluate the embrittlement behavior of the Cr-coated specimens after hydriding and oxidation. The results indicated that the HiPIMS coating provides excellent protection from hydriding and oxidation at high temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal chemistry at high pressure

The chemistry we are taught in school, and we experience in our daily existence occurs at 1 atm. However, pressure spans an astounding 62 orders of magnitude in the Universe in going from the void of interstellar space to the crushing conditions at the center of a neutron star. The way in which pressure affects chemistry is important for Earth and planetary sciences, materials science, in understanding the extreme conditions experienced in nuclear explosions, and it may be key in addressing the future energy needs of our society. In this article we outline how the often neglected pressure variable affects chemistry, beginning from the way in which atomic energy levels are altered. This lays the foundation for understanding the unique crystal and electronic structures that emerge when matter is squeezed, as well as pressure’s effect on chemical reactivity. Finally, we give an overview of the main concepts behind conventional, or phonon-mediated, superconductivity, and describe how the pressure variable may be key in discovering and designing light-element based materials whose superconducting critical temperatures approach room temperature. Here, we discuss some of the main families of superconducting hydrides that have been predicted computationally, and the experimental successes in this exciting and rapidly developing field.

Chemical bonding↗

Improved Performance of Cu(InGa)(SeS) 2 PV Modules Using the Reaction of Metal Precursors. Final Report

This project “Improved Performance of Cu(InGa)(SeS) 2 PV Modules using the Reaction of Metal Precursors” was a partnership led by the Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC) at the University of Delaware with Columbia University and the Molecular Foundry at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The aim was to develop pathways to improve Cu(InGa)(SeS) 2 (CIGSS) thin film photovoltaic modules using processes compatible with low manufacturing cost. The CIGSS approach investigated was a two-step process including deposition of metal precursor films following by reaction in hydride gases utilizing IEC’s novel reactor. The process was similar to that under commercial development by the project’s industry partner Stion. When Stion went out of business mid-project the focus changed to a rapid thermal process considered more commercially viable. Approaches to improve the performance of solar cells using the reacted films focused on two material innovations. First, the overall Ga content was increased to increase the operating voltage, which is desirable for scale-up to commercial modules. Second, the processing and performance advantages arising from Ag alloying were investigated. Advanced characterization guided process and material development including control of relative composition gradients. Research on the formation of Cu-Ga-In metal precursors utilized sputtering deposition which is normally used in commercial applications. The work resulted in processes for deposition of precursor stacks with increased relative Ga content and effects of deposition parameters on morphology and phase composition were established. It was shown that the metal precursor films have comparable phase composition and morphology so subsequent reaction follows from the same starting point. The addition of Ag to the metal precursors gave more uniform morphology and improved adhesion of reacted films which enable higher reaction temperature for faster processing. A novel outcome was the discovery of a previously undocumented material phase in sputter-deposited and evaporated Ag-Cu-In-Ga thin films. Hydride gas reaction processes including time-temperature-concentration profiles were developed for different precursor compositions. This enables control of composition profiles to engineer through-film gradients for solar cell optimization with characterization and simulations used to correlate measured film composition profiles to measurements of devices. In particular, the gradient of sulfur at the front of the CIGSS film was found to be critical. The simulations guided process development leading to improved reproducibility of devices improved performance with higher Ga content and higher voltage. With Ag-alloyed precursors, the reaction pathways leading were determined. A significant finding was that Ag-alloying increases the reaction rate to completely convert precursor films to the final chalcopyrite which could enable reduced reaction time to benefit manufacturability. To maintain potential commercial viability, the process under investigation was refocused to a rapid thermal process that could potentially be incorporated into an in-line process for manufacturing. Precursors with different composition were capped with an extra selenium layer and reacted in hydrogen sulfide 5-15 minutes, compared to typically 2 hours in the previous multi-step batch process. Critical RTP parameters were identified to control the reaction. Further optimization would be needed for high efficiency solar cells but pathways to high quality devices with further optimization and improved heating uniformity were developed. The project also developed new optoelectronic characterization approaches with a focus on development and application of spatial- and time-resolved photoluminescence and a custom mapping photoluminescence microscope built. It was shown how critical electronic transport properties strongly depend on the chemical composition of the material and that a wide range of samples show inhomogeneity on a length scale larger than the grains in the films. Additionally, two-photon excitation capability was developed to distinguish bulk vs surface losses. The project advances the state-of-the -art for precursor reaction processes in several ways that could impact manufacturing. This includes validation of approaches to increase voltage and establishment of model-guided control to form optimal composition profiles. The application of process control approaches with knowledge of phase formation and reaction pathways can be critically valuable in designing a large-scale process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Structural Analysis of LaNi 4.25 Al 0.75 Hydride

The lanthanum (La)-nickel (Ni)-aluminum (Al) hydrides (LANA: LaNi 5 − x Al x , x < 1.0) have been extensively studied for their high volumetric storage capacity and improved durability to maintain a single-phase CaCu5 structure through multiple absorption and desorption cycles. Pressure composition temperature (PCT) isotherms obtained for LANA have allowed for an understanding of the hydrogen sorption properties and the tunability of the PCT plateau region via doping. At the Savannah River Site, LaNi 4.25 Al 0.75 (LANA0.75) has been utilized as a hydrogen storage material in the tritium facilities for decades. However, the structure characterization of the LANA0.75 hydride by X-ray diffraction has not yet been reported. This study examines LANA0.75 loaded to different hydrogen-to-metal atom ratios to elucidate both the position of hydrogen sites in the lattice and the structure of a fully hydrided β phase.

hydrogen storage↗

The influence of LiH and TiH 2 on hydrogen storage in MgB 2 I: Promotion of bulk hydrogenation at reduced temperature

Mg(BH 4 ) 2 is an attractive hydrogen storage material, owing to its high gravimetric capacity of 14.9 wt %. However, the dehydrogenated material MgB 2 is very difficult to rehydrogenate, requiring excessive pressures and temperatures. Here we report the influence of LiH and TiH 2 on hydrogen storage reactions involving Bulk MgB 2 using XRD, XAS, FTIR and NMR. In ball-milled mixtures of LiH/MgB 2 , the LiH loses crystallinity but remains undissociated, forming a weakly bound complex with MgB 2 . The weak interactions produce minor variations in the local electronic structure at B and Mg, but do not markedly affect the underlying MgB 2 hexagonal crystal structure. No evidence is found for a mixed-metal boride Mg 1-x Li x B 2 in the as-prepared LiH/MgB 2 materials. The presence of LiH dramatically improves the hydrogenation of MgB 2 at 700 bar, forming borohydride 100 °C below the minimum hydrogenation temperature of pure MgB 2 and without the formation of undesirable intermediates such as [B 3 H 8 ] - , [B 10 H 10 ] 2- or [B 12 H 12 ] 2- . Evidence is reported for a mixed-metal borohydride of the type Mg (3-x)/2 Li x (BH 4 ) 3 produced by the hydrogenation. Subsequent desorption is also improved compared to pure Mg(BH 4 ) 2 and LiBH 4 , showing single-step hydrogen release up to ~8 wt% by 380 °C, whereas Mg(BH 4 ) 2 and LiBH 4 still retain significant amounts of hydrogen at this temperature. The material produced by desorption contains both MgB 2 and Mg metal, revealing the original LiH/MgB 2 system is not fully reversible. In contrast to LiH, TiH 2 is essentially inert when ball-milled with MgB 2 , and high-pressure hydrogenation leaves only unreacted TiH 2 and MgB 2 . Thus, added TiH 2 provides no benefit to MgB 2 hydrogenation.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Investigating the non-classical M-H 2 bonding in OsClH 3 (PPh 3 ) 3

Dihydrogen ligation to metal centers results in a wide range of metal-hydrogen interactions. Compounds containing non-classical dihydrogen ligands in which the H-H contacts are significantly longer than the 0.74 A distance found in solid H 2 are classified as Kubas-like compounds, stretched dihydrogen ligands, or compressed dihydrides, depending on the H-H contact length. Compounds containing stretched dihydrogen and compressed dihydride ligands are somewhat rare. Developing a more complete understanding of the metal-hydrogen and hydrogen-hydrogen interactions in these species may provide insights into the mechanisms for the oxidative addition reaction and hydrogen storage. Here, we use diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements, paired with both molecular and solid-state density functional theory (DFT), to fully characterize the nature of the metal-hydrogen and hydrogen-hydrogen interactions in a previously reported compound, OsClH 3 (PPh 3 ) 3 . In that report, the H-H distance was measured as 1.48(2) A by single-crystal neutron diffraction and was described as a "stretched" dihydrogen. The INS-generated phonon density of states is well described by the DFT calculations, including those normal modes dominated by the vibrational motions of the three Os-ligated hydrogen atoms. Additionally, the resulting calculated electron charge density landscape indicates that there is no remnant bonding character between the Os-ligated hydrogen atoms in the compound. Based on these findings, we update the understanding of the metal-hydrogen bonding in this complex and reclassify it as a compressed dihydride. As such, OsClH 3 (PPh 3 ) 3 represents a rare example of a non-classical compressed dihydride species.

08 HYDROGEN↗