Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “alkali”

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 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Structural Distortions and Short‐Range Magnetism in a Honeycomb Iridate Cu 3 ZnIr 2 O 6

Layered honeycomb iridates receive significant attention in the materials chemistry and physics fields due to the relevance of their crystal structures to the Kitaev model of a quantum spin liquid (QSL). In quest of liquid‐like magnetic ground state signatures, first‐generation alkali metal iridates A 2 IrO 3 ≡ A 3 [AIr 2 ]O 6 (A = Li, Na) and second‐generation iridates T 3 [AIr 2 ]O 6 ( T = Cu, Ag, H) are developed. T 3 [AIr 2 ]O 6 is synthesized from A 3 [AIr 2 ]O 6 via metathesis reactions replacing alkali ions located between honeycomb layers. Herein, the next level of chemical and structural complexity is introduced by synthesizing the honeycomb iridate, Cu 3 ZnIr 2 O 6 , in which alkali ions between and within the honeycomb layers are both selectively exchanged with two different transition metals. Analysis of powder X‐Ray diffraction data reveals corrugation of the honeycomb layers in Cu 3 ZnIr 2 O 6 that hinders complete magnetic frustration and results in a spin glass behavior observed from magnetization and specific heat data. Thus, Cu 3 ZnIr 2 O 6 represents yet another model, which broadens understanding of intricate relationships between intralayer distortions and magnetism of prospective Kitaev QSL compounds.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Impact of KOH on the interfacial precipitation rates of C-S-H during the early hydration of C3S

In this work we investigated the influence of alkalis on the hydration of two triclinic samples of C{sub 3}S. One pure C{sub 3}S and one Al-doped C{sub 3}S (0.5 wt.‐% Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}). We added differently concentrated KOH solutions representing alkalis in the pore solution, which lead to an increase of the interfacial precipitation rates of C-S-H during the hydration of C{sub 3}S compared to the hydration without KOH. Isothermal calorimetry was conducted for the determination of the rates of reaction during the hydration process and ICP-OES measurements for the determination of the pore solution composition at certain times of hydration. The increasing effect of KOH solution on the calculated interfacial precipitation rates from pore solution data can explain the enhancement of the rates of reaction recorded by heat flow calorimetry during the early hydration. Therefore, the interfacial precipitation rates of C-S-H can accurately describe the acceleration effect of alkalis on the early hydration of C{sub 3}S.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Deterioration of concrete due to ASR: Experiments and multiscale modeling

The process of ASR (Alkali-Silica Reaction) induced expansion and damage in pavement concrete specimens is investigated using laboratory experiments and computational modeling. In the experimental program, the concrete specimens are subject to CS-CPT (climate simulation concrete prism test) to obtain ASR induced expansion with and without external supply of alkali. The dissolution rates of the granodiorite used in the concrete mix and the gel formation rates are determined under concrete-like conditions (pH 13.8, with/without Ca(OH){sub 2} and NaCl) at different temperatures. A micromechanics based computational model with aggregate-scale diffusion and reaction kinetics coupled to an Eigenstrain based micromechanics damage model is developed for the simulation of ASR induced expansion and damage. Data from the experimental program are used to calibrate and validate the computational model. Model predictions show that for the given concrete mixture, ASR induced expansion in the specimen exposed to water is predominantly governed by microcracking in the aggregate, while the expansion in the specimen subjected to external alkali supply is governed by microcracking in both the aggregates and the cement paste.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Understanding and Tuning the Electronic Properties of Prussian Blue Analogues

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) have attracted increasing interest owing to their potential applications in various fields such as energy storage and conversion, neuromorphic computing, and magnetic switching. With a general formula of A x M N [M C (CN) 6 ], they feature an open framework that provides abundant channels for diffusion of alkali metal ions A and allows flexible compositional control of transition metal ions M N and M C . The oxidation states of transition metal ions can be tuned by adjusting the amount (x) of alkali ions A. Here, we carried out density functional theory calculations combined with experimental measurements to investigate the effects of transition metal ions, alkali ions, and oxidation states on the electronic properties of PBAs. Our calculations found that the band gaps of PBAs can be tuned from close to 0 eV to more than 4 eV. Experimentally, we introduced the synthesis/characterization of five previously unreported PBAs (M N = Ru, Os; M C = Fe, Ru, and Os) to complete the nine stable M N :M C transition metal combinations in group VIII of the periodic table. The optically measured intervalence charge transfer excitation energies of group VIII PBAs are consistent with calculated band gaps. They demonstrate wide band gap tunability by adjusting transition metals and oxidation states, enabling semiconductor-to-metal transitions for memristor applications and enhancing electronic conductivity for battery applications. In conclusion, this work provides a computational/experimental database of electronic properties versus structural compositions for PBAs.

Electrical conductivity↗
DOE OSTI2023

Rare Earth Nitrate Hybrid Double Perovskites [Me 4 N] 2 [MLn(NO 3 ) 6 ] (M = Na–Cs; Ln = La–Gd, ex. Pm)

An exploration of the synthetic and structural phase space of rare earth hybrid double perovskites A 2 B'BX 6 (A = organocation, B' = M + , B = M 3+ , X = molecular bridging anion) that include X = NO 3 – and B' = alkali metal is reported, complementing earlier studies of the [Me 4 N] 2 [KB(NO 3 ) 6 ] (B = Am, Cm, La–Nd, Sm–Lu, Y) (Me 4 N = (CH 3 ) 4 N + ) compounds. In the present efforts, the synthetic phase space of these systems is explored by varying the identity of the alkali metal ion at the B'-site. Herein, we report three new series of the form [Me 4 N] 2 [B'B(NO 3 ) 6 ] (B = La–Nd, Sm–Gd; B' = Na, Rb, Cs). The early members of the Na-series crystallize in the trigonal space group R3̅ from La to Nd where a phase transition occurs in the phase between 273 and 300 K, going from R3̅ to the high-symmetry, cubic space group Fm3̅m. The preceding trigonal members of the Na-series also undergo phase transitions to cubic symmetry at temperatures above 300 K, establishing a decreasing trend in the phase-transition temperature. The remainder of the Na-series, as well as the Rb- and Cs-series, all crystallize in Fm3̅m at 300 K. The temperature-dependent phase behavior of the synthesized phases is studied via variable-temperature spectroscopic methods and high-resolution powder X-ray diffractometry. All phases were characterized via single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopic methods. These results demonstrate the versatility of the perovskite structure type to include rare earth ions, nitrate ions, and a suite of alkali metal ions and serve as a foundation for the design of functional rare earth hybrid double perovskite materials such as those possessing useful multiferroic, optical, and magnetic properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Structural Investigation of Six Quinary Sulfides Synthesized via the Flux-Assisted Boron-Chalcogen Mixture (BCM) Method: Eu 2+ Containing Members of the RE 3 MTQ 7 (M and T = Transition or Main Group Metals, Q = Chalcogens) Family

For this work, a series of six quinary rare-earth sulfides Ce 4+ 1.85 Eu 2+ 1.15 Na 0.30 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.91 Eu 2+ 1.09 K 0.18 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.96 Eu 2+ 1.04 Rb 0.08 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.98 Eu 2+ 1.02 Cs 0.05 SiS 7 , Ce 4+ 1.97 Eu 2+ 1.03 Ag 0.06 SiS 7 , and Ce 4+ 1.50 Eu 2+ 1.50 CuSiS 7 were obtained in an alkali iodide flux using the boron-chalcogen mixture (BCM) method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to determine the structures of the high quality single crystals that were grown; their elemental compositions were confirmed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The compounds crystallize in the hexagonal crystal system in the noncentrosymmetric space group P63. The crystal structure consists of a three-dimensional network composed of mixed cerium and europium bicapped trigonal prisms, isolated SiS4 tetrahedra, and monovalent metals (Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ag, and Cu) located in cavities created by linked Ce/EuS 8 polyhedra. The structures are charge-balanced when Ce and Eu are in their +4 and +2 oxidation states, respectively. The effective magnetic moment of Ce 1.50 4+ Eu 1.50 2+ CuSiS 7 determined from the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility data is consistent with the presence of Ce 4+ and Eu 2+ . Clear correlations between the alkali ion site occupancy, the ionic radius of the alkali cations, and the average bond length of Ce 4+ /Eu 2+ –S, were established. UV–vis diffuse reflectance data were collected for Ce 1.50 4+ Eu 1.50 2+ CuSiS 7 and a band gap of 1.9(1) eV was established.

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

Atomistic Insight into Cation Effects on Binding Energies in Cu-Catalyzed Carbon Dioxide Reduction

Electrolyte properties in general and electrolyte ions in particular have been shown to have significant effects on the kinetics of electrochemical CO 2 and CO reduction at metal electrodes, but these effects have not yet been fully understood. Here, we investigate the effects of cations at the aqueous electrolyte–Cu(211) interface on adsorbate binding energies and the electrolyte structure using density functional theory (DFT). Charging the interface via explicit Na + has systematic effects on adsorbate–electrolyte interactions and conformations. We describe specific local adsorbate–ion interactions, including direct alkali ion–adsorbate coordination and hydrogen bonding via ion-coordinated water molecules. The relative importance of these specific interactions and purely electrostatic field–adsorbate interactions is investigated by comparing the DFT-calculated ion effects to those predicted by purely electrostatic models of the interface and the adsorbates. We find that the trend in ion effects among different adsorbates at constant surface charge density is well explained by a purely electrostatic interaction model. The binding energy of OCCHO is found to depend strongly on the surface charge density as well as the spatial distribution of ions at constant surface charge density. These effects are also explained by a purely electrostatic local electrostatic field–adsorbate model. This indicates that alkali ion effects can be mainly attributed to purely electrostatic field interactions and that the local field at ion-stabilized active sites can depend significantly on both the overall charge density and on the spatial distribution of ions at constant charge density. This work provides new insight on alkali ion effects on a variety of adsorbates relevant to the CO 2 and CO reduction reactions by describing specific local ion–adsorbate interactions, systematic changes in adsorbate–electrolyte interactions induced by explicit surface charge, and comparisons of the calculated effects on binding energies to simple electrostatic field–adsorbate models to explain trends among various adsorbates and at varying surface charge densities and supercell configurations.

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

CsO x Nanostructures on Au(111): Morphology- and Size-dependent Activity for the Water–Gas Shift Reaction

Alkali oxides are typically used as promoters of heterogeneous catalysts for the water–gas shift (WGS; H 2 O + CO → H 2 + CO 2 ) reaction. On Au(111), CsO x exhibits diverse nanostructures at varying coverages, as revealed by scanning tunneling microscopy. Clusters of cesium oxide (Cs 2 O 2 ) nucleate at elbow sites of the Au(111) herringbone when θ Cs is less than 0.1 ML. Subsequently, these clusters transform into two-dimensional (2D) islands (Cs 2 O, Cs 2 O 2 , CsO 2 ) as the cesium coverage increases (θ Cs > 0.1 ML). Both types of CsO x nanostructures enable the WGS process on Au(111). The highest activity was seen for the cesium oxide clusters which facilitated the partial dissociation of water and binding of CO. The CO ads and OH ads groups were not strongly bound and probably reacted to yield a short-lived HOCO intermediate that led to gaseous H 2 and CO 2 . The 2D islands of CsO x also enabled the WGS but their efficiency was reduced due to the formation of cesium hydroxide compounds (limiting mobility of OH groups) and the generation of CO 3 and C species (blocking of active centers). The fact that the performance of the CsO x /Au(111) catalysts changed dramatically with variations in the chemical properties of the CsO x nanostructures indicates that the alkali oxide was an integral part of the active phase, playing a central role in the activation and conversion of the reactants. To attach the label of “promoter” to CsO x is a simplification that does not help in the design and optimization of catalysts for C1 chemistry. In conclusion, to achieve a rational design, one must consider the structural and chemical properties of the alkali oxide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Methanol Synthesis from CO 2 Hydrogenation over a Potassium-Promoted Cu x O/Cu(111) ( x ≤ 2) Model Surface: Rationalizing the Potential of Potassium in Catalysis

Alkalis have been reported as a promotor in the heterogeneous catalysis, being able to enhance the activity and selectivity of catalysts. The effective utilization of alkalis in catalyst optimization requires the fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanism. In this work, we take a potassium (K)-modified Cu x O/Cu(111) (x ≤ 2) model surface as a case study to rationalize the nature of K during the carbon dioxide hydrogenation using combined density functional theory (DFT) calculation and the kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation. Our result demonstrates the significant tuning of selectivity from carbon monoxide to methanol on going from Cu(111) to K-modified Cu x O/Cu(111). The deposited K + stabilizes the Cu x O thin film under the reducing condition of carbon dioxide hydrogenation. More importantly, our study reveals that K + acts as an active center for selective tuning in the binding, an accelerator for charge transfer, and a mediator for the electron tunneling. As a result, the K-modified Cu x O/Cu(111) opens a methanediol [H 2 C(OH) 2 ]-mediated formate pathway to facilitate the selective conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. Our study develops the intrinsic rules of design to tune the catalytic performance using alkali metals.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Morphology Dependent Reactivity of CsO $x$ Nanostructures on Au(111): Binding and Hydrogenation of CO 2 to HCOOH

Cesium oxide (CsO $x$ ) nanostructures grown on Au(111) behave as active centers for CO 2 binding and hydrogenation reactions. The morphology and reactivity of these CsO $x$ systems were investigated as a function of alkali coverage using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. STM results show that initially (0.05 - 0.10 ML) cesium oxide clusters (Cs 2 O 2 ) grow at the elbow sites of the herringbone of Au(111), subsequently transforming into two-dimensional islands with increasing cesium coverage (> 0.15 ML). XPS measurements reveal the presence of suboxidic (Cs $y$ O; $y$ ≥ 2) species for the island structures. The higher coverages of cesium oxide nanostructures contain a lower O/Cs ratio resulting in a stronger binding of CO 2 . Moreover, the O atoms in the Cs $y$ O structure undergo a rearrangement upon the adsorption of CO 2 which is a reversible phenomenon. Under CO 2 hydrogenation conditions, the small Cs 2 O 2 clusters are hydroxylated, thereby preventing the adsorption of CO 2 . However, the hydroxylation of the higher coverages of Cs $y$ O did not prevent CO 2 adsorption, and the adsorbed CO 2 transformed to HCOO species that eventually yield HCOOH. DFT calculations further confirm that the dissociated H 2 attacks the C in the adsorbate to produce formate, which is both thermodynamically and kinetically favored during the CO 2 reaction with hydroxylated Cs $y$ O. These results demonstrate that cesium oxide by itself is an excellent catalyst for CO 2 hydrogenation that could produce formate, an important intermediate for the generation of value-added species. The role of the alkali oxide nanostructures as active centers, not merely as promoters, may have broad implications wherein the alkali oxides can be considered in the design of materials tuned for specific applications in heterogeneous catalysis.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Inorganic Halide Double Perovskites with Optoelectronic Properties Modulated by Sublattice Mixing

All-inorganic halide double perovskites have emerged as a promising class of materials that are potentially more stable and less toxic than lead-containing hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite optoelectronic materials. In this work, 311 cesium chloride double perovskites (Cs 2 BB'Cl 6 ) were selected from a set of 903 compounds as likely being stable on the basis of a statistically learned tolerance factor (t) for perovskite stability. First-principles calculations on these 311 double perovskites were then performed to assess their stability and identify candidates with band gaps appropriate for optoelectronic applications. We predict that 261 of the 311 Cs 2 BB'Cl 6 compounds are likely synthesizable on the basis of a thermodynamic analysis of their decomposition to competing compounds (decomposition enthalpy <0.05 eV/atom). Of these 261 likely synthesizable compounds, 47 contain no toxic elements and have direct or nearly direct (within 100 meV) band gaps between 1 and 3 eV, as computed with hybrid density functional theory (HSE06). Within this set, we identify the triple-alkali perovskites Cs 2 [Alk] + [TM] 3+ Cl 6 , where Alk is a group 1 alkali cation and TM is a transition-metal cation, as a class of Cs 2 BB'Cl 6 double perovskites with remarkable optical properties, including large and tunable exciton binding energies as computed by the GW-Bethe-Salpeter equation (GW-BSE) method. We attribute the unusual electronic structure of these compounds to the mixing of the Alk-Cl and TM-Cl sublattices, leading to materials with small band gaps, large exciton binding energies, and absorption spectra that are strongly influenced by the identity of the transition metal. The role of the double-perovskite structure in enabling these unique properties is probed through an analysis of the electronic structures and chemical bonding of these compounds in comparison with other transition-metal and alkali transition-metal halides.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding KOtBu in atomic layer deposition – in situ mechanistic studies of the KNbO3 growth process

Functional coatings based on alkali metals have become increasingly attractive in the current shift towards sustainable technologies. While lithium-based compounds have a natural impact on batteries, other alkali metal compounds are important as replacements for toxic materials in a range of electronic devices. This is especially true for potassium, being a major component in e.g. K x Na 1-x NbO 3 (KNN) and KTa x Nb 1-x O 3 (KTN), with hope to replace Pb(Zr x Ti 1-x )O 3 (PZT) in piezo-/ferroelectric and electrooptic devices. ALD facilitates functional conformal coatings at deposition temperatures far below what is reported using other techniques and with excellent compositional control. The ALD growth of potassium-containing films using KO t Bu has, however, been unpredictable. Untraditional response to the pulse composition and precursor dose, severe reproducibility issues, and very high growth per cycle are some of the puzzling features of these processes. In this article, we shed light on the growth behavior of KO t Bu in ALD by in situ quartz crystal microbalance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies. We study the precursor's behavior in the technologically interesting KNbO 3 -process, showing how the potassium precursor strongly affects the growth of other cation precursors. We show that the strong hygroscopic nature of the intermediary potassium species has far-reaching implications throughout the growth. This helps not only to enhance the understanding of alkali metal containing compounds’ growth in ALD, but also to provide the means to control the growth of novel sustainable technological materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Stepwise deprotonation of truxene: structures, metal complexation, and charge-dependent optical properties

As a planar subunit of C 60 -fullerene, truxene (C 27 H 18 ) represents a highly symmetrical rigid hydrocarbon with strong blue emission. Herein, we used truxene as a model to investigate the chemical reactivity of a fullerene fragment with alkali metals. Monoanion, dianion, and trianion products with different alkali metal counterions were crystallized and fully characterized, revealing the core curvature dependence on charge and alkali metal coordination. Moreover, a proton nuclear magnetic resonance study coupled with computational analysis demonstrated that deprotonation of the aliphatic CH 2 segments introduces aromaticity in the five-membered rings. Importantly, the UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence of truxenyl anions with different charges reveal intriguing charge-dependent optical properties, implying variation of the electronic structure based on the deprotonation process. An increase in aromaticity and π-conjugation yielded a red shift in the absorption and photoluminescent spectra; in particular, large Stokes shifts were observed in the truxenyl monoanion and dianion with high emission quantum yield and time of decay. Overall, stepwise deprotonation of truxene provides the first crystallographically characterized examples of truxenyl anions with three different charges and charge-dependent optical properties, pointing to their potential applications in carbon-based functional materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

A structural analysis of ordered Cs3Sb films grown on single crystal graphene and silicon carbide substrates

Alkali antimonides are well established as high efficiency, low intrinsic emittance photocathodes for accelerators and photon detectors. However, conventionally grown alkali antimonide films are polycrystalline with surface disorder and roughness that can limit achievable beam brightness. Ordering the crystalline structure of alkali antimonides has the potential to deliver higher brightness electron beams by reducing surface disorder and enabling the engineering of material properties at the level of atomic layers. In this report, we demonstrate the growth of ordered Cs3Sb films on single crystal substrates 3C-SiC and graphene-coated 4H-SiC using pulsed laser deposition and conventional thermal evaporation growth techniques. The crystalline structures of the Cs3Sb films were examined using reflection high energy electron diffraction and x-ray diffraction diagnostics, while film thickness and roughness estimates were made using x-ray reflectivity. With these tools, we observed ordered domains in less than 10 nm thick films with quantum efficiencies greater than 1% at 530 nm. Moreover, we identify structural features such as Laue oscillations indicative of highly ordered films. We found that Cs3Sb films grew with flat, fiber-textured surfaces on 3C-SiC and with multiple ordered domains and sub-nanometer surface roughness on graphene-coated 4H-SiC under our growth conditions. We identify the crystallographic orientations of Cs3Sb grown on graphene-coated 4H-SiC substrates and discuss the significance of examining the crystal structure of these films for growing epitaxial heterostructures in future experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cesium exhibits different mesoscale segregation and ion pairing than lithium, sodium, or potassium in concentrated alkaline aqueous nitrite solutions

Understanding ion pairing in concentrated alkaline electrolytes facilitates the prediction and control of chemical processes in nuclear waste. While sodium is the dominant alkali metal in such systems, cesium often exhibits distinct bulk behavior relative to lighter alkali cations. Aqueous mixtures of cesium hydroxide and sodium nitrite were compared to alkali hydroxide analogs using small-angle x-ray scattering, revealing that cesium disrupts the sodium nitrite electrolyte structure, forming cesium-rich domains. This mesoscale segregation contrasts with the near-ideal mixing observed in other mixed hydroxide–nitrite systems. Raman spectroscopy indicates cesium–nitrite ion pairing, evidenced by vibrational shifts distinct from those associated with sodium. Multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy further supports cesium–nitrite and cesium–hydroxide association, revealing a distinct local environment for nitrite in cesium-containing solutions. Together, these findings show that cesium promotes a unique solution structure dominated by specific ion pairing within segregated domains. This structural organization may influence radical generation pathways in high-ionic-strength alkaline media relevant to nuclear waste processing and management.

Nienhuis, Emily T. [Pacific Northwest National Lab↗
DOE OSTI2020

Hydration and reaction mechanisms on sodium silicate glass surfaces from molecular dynamics simulations with reactive force fields

Recent development of reactive force fields have enabled molecular dynamics simulations of interactions between silicate glasses and water at the atomistic scale. While multicomponent silicate glasses encompass a wide variety of compositions and properties, one common structural feature in these glasses is the combination of the network structure that is made up of silica tetrahedra linked through corner sharing interspersed with network modifiers like alkali and alkaline-earth ions that break up the Si–O–Si linkages by forming nonbridging oxygen. In reactions with water, ion exchange between alkali ions in the glass and proton or hydronium in the solution, as well as hydrolysis reaction of the Si–O–Si linkages and subsequent silanol formation, is observed and well documented. Furthermore, we have used a set of recently developed reactive force field to investigate the reactions between water and the surfaces of silica and sodium silicate glasses of different compositions for reactions up to 8 nanoseconds. Our results indicate sodium leaching into water and diffusion of water molecules up to 25 Å into the glass surface. We examined the structural and compositional changes inside the glass and around the diffused ions and use these to explain the rates of silanol formation at the surface. We also observed proton transport in the glass which has an indirect influence on the silanol formation rates. While the surface of the glass was rough to start with, it undergoes further modification into a hydrated gel-like structure in the glass for up to 5 Å in the higher alkali containing glasses. It was found that the leached sodium ions remain close to the interface and that fragments of silicate network from the surface is capable of dislodging from the bulk glass and enter the aqueous solution. These simulations thus provide insights into the formation and structure of an alteration layers commonly observed in multicomponent silicate glasses corroded in aqueous solutions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ion-beam-assisted growth of cesium-antimonide photocathodes

We report on the novel use of a Cs+ ion gun for an ion-beam-assisted molecular-beam-epitaxy (IBA-MBE) method to sequentially deposit Cs-Sb cathodes on room temperature substrates as opposed to the standard technique of thermal evaporation on elevated-temperature substrates. The details of the ultrahigh-vacuum chamber, the Cs+ ion source, and the growth technique are elaborated. The final quantum efficiency (QE) is reasonably good for Cs-Sb cathodes grown on two different substrates—Si (100) and strontium titanate—and is comparable to the QE of cathodes grown using thermal sources. This suggests that IBA-MBE could be a viable alternative to grow alkali-antimonides without substrate heating, paving the way for the growth of epitaxial alkali-antimonides in a more reproducible fashion, which may help improve the efficiency of photon detectors and accelerator applications that use alkali-antimonides as electron sources.

Engineering↗