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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.

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At least 325 records · Page 18
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Dynamic recrystallization behavior of an as-cast TiAl alloy during hot compression

High temperature compressive deformation behaviors of as-cast Ti–43Al–4Nb–1.4W–0.6B alloy were investigated at temperatures ranging from 1050 °C to 1200 °C, and strain rates from 0.001 s{sup −1} to 1 s{sup −1}. Electron back scattered diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to investigate the microstructural evolutions and nucleation mechanisms of the dynamic recrystallization. The results indicated that the true stress–true strain curves show a dynamic flow softening behavior. The dependence of the peak stress on the deformation temperature and the strain rate can well be expressed by a hyperbolic-sine type equation. The activation energy decreases with increasing the strain. The size of the dynamically recrystallized β grains decreases with increasing the value of the Zener–Hollomon parameter (Z). When the flow stress reaches a steady state, the size of β grains almost remains constant with increasing the deformation strain. The continuous dynamic recrystallization plays a dominant role in the deformation. In order to characterize the evolution of dynamic recrystallization volume fraction, the dynamic recrystallization kinetics was studied by Avrami-type equation. Besides, the role of β phase and the softening mechanism during the hot deformation was also discussed in details. - Highlights: • The size of DRXed β grains decreases with increasing the value of the Z. • The CDRX plays a dominant role in the deformation. • The broken TiB{sub 2} particles can promote the nucleation of DRX.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effect of annealing on Curie temperature and phase transition in La{sub 0.55}Sr{sub 0.08}Mn{sub 0.37}O{sub 3} epitaxial films grown on SrTiO{sub 3} (100) substrates by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering

Mn-poor LaSrMnO{sub 3} (LSMO) epitaxial films were grown on SrTiO{sub 3} (100) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering in an argon and oxygen gas mix, and then the samples were annealed in air at various temperatures (T{sub a}). 2 theta-chi X-ray diffraction mapping, nano-beam diffraction analysis through transmission electron microscopy, and electron back scatter diffraction through scanning electron microscopy revealed that the crystal symmetry of the LSMO films changed from monoclinic/orthorhombic to rhombohedral on annealing in air. Curie temperature (T{sub C}) of the LSMO films was found to increase with increasing T{sub a}, and become higher than the room temperature at T{sub a} ≥ 861 °C, indicating that the cause of these changes was the filling of oxygen and the transition of the crystal symmetry into rhombohedral. - Highlights: •Mn-poor LSMO changed from monoclinic/orthorhombic to rhombohedral by oxygen supply. •Mn-poor LSMO was increased T{sub C} by changed crystal symmetry, and it showed T{sub C} above RT. •Annealed in air effectively supplied O{sub 2} more than O{sub 2} gas during sputtering •EBSD is useful to evaluate crystal symmetry of complex oxide film from the substrate.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Correlating whisker growth and grain structure on Sn-Cu samples by real-time scanning electron microscopy and backscattering diffraction characterization

Whiskers/hillocks grow out of Pb-free Sn coatings used in electronics manufacturing. To determine which grains form whiskers/hillocks, we use scanning electron microscopy and backscattering diffraction to simultaneously monitor the surface morphology and grain structure. To reduce surface roughness, we developed a ''peel-off'' method to prepare ultra-flat samples that were measured repeatedly while whiskers/hillocks formed. We find grains that form into whiskers/hillocks are present in the as-deposited film (i.e., not re-nucleated) and many have horizontal grain boundaries beneath them. Grain rotation during whisker/hillock formation means that measurements performed after the features grow do not indicate their initial grain orientations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Photocatalytic inactivation of Vibrio fischeri using Fe2O3-TiO2-based nanoparticles

Highlights: • A marine bacterium (Vibrio fisheri) was examined as biofilm forming microorganism. • The inactivation of bacteria was performed in saline and nutrient growth media. • The performance of five TiO{sub 2} based photocatalysts was investigated. • Effective inactivation of bacteria was achieved by visible light driven photocatalysts. Biofouling is a major problem in water membrane processes, especially in seawater reverse osmosis plants. Inactivation of Vibrio fischeri (a well-known marine bacterium forming biofilm) through photocatalysis via visible light was investigated in this work using active Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles. Five Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} photocatalysts with different weight percentage of Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0–5 wt%) were synthesized using an ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method. The photocatalysts were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area, transmission electron Æ (TEM) plus selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Based on the design of experiments, the synthesized photocatalysts were tested for inactivation of V. fischeri under visible light irradiation at different temperatures (25–35 °C) and different photocatalyst dosage (0.1–2 g/L). The photocatalytic microbial inactivation experiments were performed in artificial seawater appropriate for growth of the marine bacterium. The results revealed that the highest inactivation efficiency of V. fischeri was achieved when 1 g/L of 2.5 wt% Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} were used, at 35 °C. Photocatalytic inactivation of microorganisms using visible light-driven Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}-TiO{sub 2} photocatalysts, could introduce an innovative green method in pretreatment units of reverse osmosis plants to control the membrane biofouling.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Depth-sensing indentation of nanomaterials and nanostructures

Due to its capacity for applying ultralow loads and detecting nanometer-scale deflections, nanoindentation has been used to investigate the mechanical behavior of various material configurations at the micro- and nano-scales. The emphasis of the article is on the nanoscale deformation of nanoparticles, micro/nanopillars, microbeams, micro/nanofibers, nanocomposites, membranes and monolayer films, which are all ubiquitous structures in nanotechnology. The small volumes of these structures have led to the elucidation of material deformation mechanisms that are not the same as their bulk counterparts. Advances in instrumentation have enabled nanoindentation experiments to be conducted in situ in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electrical contact resistance (ECR) measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), among others, and examples of these studies will be discussed.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2017

Overview of Alloy 617 Notched Specimen Testing

Prior to use in high temperature nuclear applications, Alloy 617, which is currently undergoing approval for inclusion in codes and regulations related to high temperature construction, must be approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Several concerns relating to the effects of geometric discontinuities, such as notches, and multi-axial stress states (as opposed to uniaxial stress states typically present in laboratory run creep tests) must first be addressed. This work has shown that at short time intervals (1000-2500 hours), 617 is notch strengthening and will fail preferentially at locations away from the notch, provided that diameters are similar (resulting in similar stresses). Additionally, specimens designed with semi-circular notches (or U-notches, as they are referred to in this report) to impose multi-axial stress states on the specimen during creep testing were found to either maintain similar creep rupture lives as uniaxial stress specimens tested at similar conditions, or have creep rupture lives that were significantly longer. This work, while not fully completed, shows that notches and multi-axial stress states do not appear to raise concerns with relation to the use of design rules created for Alloy 617 using smooth, straight gauge test specimens and uniaxial creep tests.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Large-scale and shape-controlled synthesis and characterization of nanorod-like nickel powders under microwave radiation

Graphical abstract: The nanorod-like pure nickel were fabricated via hydrothermal liquid phase reduction route under microwave irradiation with hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent as well as polyvinyl alcohol as a dispersant and/or structure directing agent. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, HRTEM, and selected-area electron diffraction, etc. The lattice expansion for Ni powders was explained in detail. As-prepared Ni sample was of obvious shape anisotropy with length diameter ratio of 5. Magnetic measurements shown that the magnetic properties of Ni nanorod-like (fcc) were quite different from those of hexagonal closed-packed (hcp) Ni nanoparticles. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The synthesis of nanorod-like nickel under microwave irradiation. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nitrogen generated in reaction as a shielding gas. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The lattice expansion for Ni powders was explained in detail. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Magnetic properties of Ni were quite different from those of Ni nanoparticles. -- Abstract: The nanorod-like nickel powders were fabricated via hydrothermal liquid phase reduction route under microwave irradiation with hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent as well as polyvinyl alcohol as a dispersant and/or structure directing agent. The morphology and structure of as-prepared products could be easily tuned by adjusting process parameters such as pH value and microwave irradiation time. The resulting materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). The results demonstrated that pure nickel powders with face-centered cubic (fcc) structure were prepared at relatively mild condition and no characteristic peaks of nickel oxide in the XRD pattern were found. The phenomenon of lattice expansion for Ni powders was explained in details according to the XRD theory. As-prepared Ni sample was of obvious shape anisotropy with length diameter ratio of 5. Magnetic measurements shown that the magnetic properties of nanorod-like (fcc) Ni powders were quite different from those of hexagonal closed-packed (hcp) Ni nanoparticles. Furthermore, it had more strong ferromagnetic properties than that of Ni powders both bulk and nanoparticles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Template-free solution approach to synthesize CdS dendrites with SCN based ionic liquid

Highlights: {yields} Template-free solution approach to synthesize CdS hierarchical dendrites. {yields} The 1-butyl-3-methlyimidazole thiocyanate ([BMIM][SCN]) plays doubly functional roles in the progress. {yields} The CdS hierarchical dendrites exhibit a more intense emission at 710 nm belongs to infrared band. -- Abstract: Cadmium sulfide dendrites were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal treatment from CdCl{sub 2} and ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methlyimidazole thiocyanate acted both as sulfur source and surfactant. The product was characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray powder diffraction studies indicated that the product was well-crystallized hexagonal phase of CdS, and the scanning electron microscopy images showed that the obtained powders consisted of a wealth of well-defined CdS dendritic microstructures with a pronounced trunk and highly ordered branches. The UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements were taken as well. The possible formation mechanism of CdS dendrites was simply proposed in the end.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Microstructure and coercivity in alnico 9

Magnetic property enhancement of alnico, a rare-earth free permanent magnet, is highly dependent on both the initial microstructure and the evolution of the spinodal decomposition (SD) inside each grain during the heat treatment process. The size, shape and distribution of the magnetic FeCo-rich (α 1 ) phase embedded in continuous non-magnetic AlNi-rich (α 2 ) phase as well as a minor Cu-enriched phase residing in between are shown to be crucial in controlling coercivity. Phase and magnetic domain morphology in a commercial alnico 9 alloy was studied using a combination of structural characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and Lorentz microscopy. Our results showed that casting created structural nonuniformity and defects, such as porosity, TiS 2 precipitates and grain misorientation, are heterogeneously distributed, with the center section having the best crystallographic orientation and minimal defects. The optimal spinodal is a “mosaic structure”, composed of rod-shape α1 phase with {110} or {100} planar faceting and diameter of ~30–45nm. There is also a Cu-enriched phase residing at the corners of two < 110 > facets of the α1 phase. Furthermore, it was observed that grain boundary phase reverse magnetization direction at lower external magnetic field compared to the SD region inside the grain. Improving grain orientation uniformity, reducing detrimental grain boundary phase volume fraction, and the branching of the α 1 rods, as well as their diameter, are promising routes to improve energy product of alnico.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Effects of Solution Treatment on Microstructure Transformation, Tensile and Exfoliation Corrosion Properties of 7136 Aluminum Alloy

The effects of solution treatment on microstructure transformation and tensile properties of 7136 aluminum alloys were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, x-ray diffraction and tensile test, electrochemical evaluations, exfoliation corrosion tests, respectively. The results indicate that solution treatment had a significant effect on the microstructure transformation and tensile properties. Soluble constituents of 7136 aluminum alloys were more likely to form the η(MgZn{sub 2}) phase rather than the S(Al{sub 2}CuMg) phase. With increasing the solution temperature, the η phase was re-dissolved into the α(Al) matrix gradually. After solution treatment of 475 °C/1 h, the η phase was completely dissolved into the matrix, with insoluble Fe-rich phases remained. The dissolution of η phase would increase the strength and the corrosion resistance of the alloys. When continuing to increase the solution temperature, the recrystallized fraction increased obviously, resulting in the decrease in the strength and the corrosion resistance. Consequently, the strength and the corrosion resistance of the alloys increased firstly and then decreased with the increase in solution temperature. After solution treatment of 475 °C/1 h, the tensile strength and yield strength of the aged alloy reached their peaks, 738 and 715 MPa, respectively. The elongation of the alloy solution treated at 475 °C/1 h reached 11.2%, and its exfoliation corrosion rating got EB level. Furthermore, after the double-stage solution treatment of 450 °C/1 h + 475 °C/1 h, the recrystallized fraction decreased, resulting in a slight increase to 12.6% of the elongation, a slight increase in the corrosion resistance and a slight decrease in the strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Water induced size and structure phase transition of CdS crystals and their photocatalytic property

Graphical abstract: Excellent photocatalytic activity in degradation of RhB was found with the hexagonal CdS nanorods growing along [0 0 0 1] direction, which is a result of the exposed (0 0 0 1) facets in the ends. Display Omitted Highlights: ► CdS microwires and nanorods were attained by a modified CHM approach. ► The phase transition (cubic to hexagonal) was achieved by tuning the amount of H{sub 2}O. ► Excellent photocatalytic activity was found with the hexagonal CdS. ► Hexagonal CdS has the better catalytic property due to more (0 0 0 1) facets exposed. -- Abstract: Single-crystalline CdS microwires (mixed cubic and hexagonal phase) and nanorods (pure hexagonal phase) were synthesized by a modified composite-hydroxide-mediated (CHM) approach. Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B with the CdS nanorods was studied under the simulated sunlight irradiation. Crystalline phase transition from cubic to hexagonal phase was achieved by adding a small amount of water in the melts. The phase structures and morphologies of the prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area of electron diffraction (SAED) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results show that the pure hexagonal phase structure could be obtained with 5 mL or more than 5 mL water added in the composite-hydroxide melts. The band–gap of the hexagonal nanorods was 2.435 eV observed from UV–vis reflection spectrum. Compared with the CdS nanoparticles (mixed cubic and hexagonal phase), we found that the hexagonal phase structure CdS nanorods revealed much better photocatalytic activity owing to the exposure of (0 0 0 1) polar facet on the end. It is expected that the present research may offer useful guidance to the potential application of CdS in the treatment of environmental pollution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of pulse frequency on microstructural, nanomechanical, and wear properties of electrodeposited Ni–TiN composite coatings

The current paper reports successful syntheses of Ni–TiN composite coatings by pulse electrodeposition. The effect of pulse frequency on the microstructures, nanomechanical, and wear properties of the coatings was investigated using transmission electron microscopy, X–ray diffraction, nanoindenter, scanning electron microscopy, and wear test instrument. The results showed that the Ni–TiN composite coating prepared at the pulse frequency of 100 Hz showed the presence of a less number of TiN particles and some degrees of aggregation in micro-regions. By contrast, in the Ni–TiN coating deposited at the pulse frequency of 500 Hz, the TiN particles were large in number and dispersed homogeneously, thereby, offering the coating a uniform and fine structure. The average grain diameters of Ni and TiN in the coating prepared at 100 Hz were 154.7 and 44.8 nm, respectively, whereas those for the coating prepared at 500 Hz were 67.3 and 25.9 nm, respectively. The maximum TiN content in the Ni-TiN coating deposited at 800 Hz was approximately 10.5 wt. %. The maximum microhardness and the Young's modulus values for the Ni–TiN composite coatings deposited at 800 Hz were 35.7 GPa and 167.4 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, the Ni–TiN composite coating prepared at 100 Hz had more severe damages, whereas the morphologies of worn surface of the coatings deposited at 500 Hz and 800 Hz were smooth and only a few small pits appeared on the surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Effects of rapid thermal annealing on the structural and local atomic properties of ZnO: Ge nanocomposite thin films

We have investigated the structural and local atomic properties of Ge nanocrystals (Ge-ncs) embedded ZnO (ZnO: Ge) thin films. The films were deposited by sequential sputtering of ZnO and Ge thin film layers on z-cut quartz substrates followed by an ex-situ rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 600 °C for 30, 60, and 90 s under forming gas atmosphere. Effects of RTA time on the evolution of Ge-ncs were investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES), and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). XRD patterns have clearly shown that fcc diamond phase Ge-ncs of sizes ranging between 18 and 27 nm are formed upon RTA and no Ge-oxide peak has been detected. However, cross-section SEM images have clearly revealed that after RTA process, Ge layers form varying size nanoclusters composed of Ge-ncs regions. EXAFS performed at the Ge K-edge to probe the local atomic structure of the Ge-ncs has revealed that as prepared ZnO:Ge possesses Ge-oxide but subsequent RTA leads to crystalline Ge structure without the oxide layer. In order to study the occupied electronic structure, HAXPES has been utilized. The peak separation between the Zn 2p and Ge 3d shows no significant change due to RTA. This implies little change in the valence band offset due to RTA.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Controlled growth of vertically aligned MoO{sub 3} nanoflakes by plasma assisted paste sublimation process

In this work, we have successfully developed plasma assisted paste sublimation route to deposit vertically aligned MoO{sub 3} nanoflakes (NFs) on nickel coated glass substrate in oxygen plasma ambience with the assistant of Ni thin layer as a catalyst. In our case, sublimation source (Mo strip surface) is resistively heated by flowing current across it. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of NFs have been investigated systematically using x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with selected area electron diffraction (SAED), High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Studies reveal that the presence of oxygen plasma and the nickel thin layer are very essential for the growth of vertically aligned NFs. The observed results divulge that α-MoO{sub 3} NFs are deposited uniformly on large scale with very high aspect (height/thickness) ratio more than 30 and well aligned along [0 k 0] crystallographic direction where k is even (2, 4, 6). Raman spectrum shows a significant size effect on the vibrational property of MoO{sub 3} nanoflakes. The PL spectrum of MoO{sub 3} NFs was recorded at room temperature and four prominent peaks at 365 nm, 395 nm, 452 nm, and 465 nm corresponding to UV-visible region were observed. In this paper, a three step growth strategy for the formation of MoO{sub 3} NFs has been proposed in detail.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗