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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

Passivating Nucleobases Bring Charge Transfer Character to Optically Active Transitions in Small Silver Nanoclusters

DNA-wrapped silver nanoclusters (DNA–AgNCs) are known for their efficient luminescence. However, their emission is highly sensitive to the DNA sequence, the cluster size, and its charge state. To get better insights into photophysics of these hybrid systems, simulations based on density functional theory (DFT) are performed. Our calculations elucidate the effect of the structural conformations, charges, solvent polarity, and passivating bases on optical spectra of DNA–AgNCs containing five and six Ag atoms. It is found that inclusion of water in calculations as a polar solvent media results in stabilization of nonplanar conformations of base-passivated clusters, while their planar conformations are more stable in vacuum, similar to the bare Ag5 and Ag6 clusters. Cytosines and guanines interact with the cluster twice stronger than thymines, due to their larger dipole moments. In addition to the base–cluster interactions, hydrogen bonds between bases notably contribute to the structure stabilization. While the relative intensity, line width, and the energy of absorption peaks are slightly changing depending on the cluster charge, conformations, and base types, the overall spectral shape with five well-resolved bands at 2.5–5.5 eV is consistent for all structures. Independent of the passivating bases and the cluster size and charge, the low energy optical transitions at 2.5–3.5 eV exhibit a metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) character with the main contribution emerging from Ag-core to the bases. Cytosines facilitate the MLCT character to a larger degree comparing to the other bases. However, the doublet transitions in clusters with the open shell electronic structure (Ag5 and Ag6 + ) result in appearance of additional red-shifted (<2.5 eV) and optically weak band with negligible MLCT character. The passivated clusters with the closed shell electronic structure (Ag5 + and Ag6) exhibit higher optical intensity of their lowest transitions with much higher MLCT contribution, thus having better potential for emission, than their open shell counterparts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Multifunctional Separator Allows Stable Cycling of Potassium Metal Anodes and of Potassium Metal Batteries

Here, this is the first report of a multifunctional separator for potassium-metal batteries (KMBs). Here, double-coated tape-cast microscale AlF 3 on polypropylene (AlF 3 @PP) yields state-of-the-art electrochemical performance: symmetric cells are stable after 1000 cycles (2000 h) at 0.5 mA cm –2 and 0.5 mAh cm –2 , with 0.042 V overpotential. Stability is maintained at 5.0 mA cm –2 for 600 cycles (240 h), with 0.138 V overpotential. Postcycled plated surface is dendrite-free, while stripped surface contains smooth solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Conventional PP cells fail rapidly, with dendrites at plating, and “dead metal” and SEI clumps at stripping. Potassium hexacyanoferrate(III) cathode KMBs with AlF 3 @PP display enhanced capacity retention (91% at 100 cycles vs 58%). AlF 3 partially reacts with K to form an artificial SEI containing KF, AlF 3 , and Al 2 O 3 phases. The AlF 3 @PP promotes complete electrolyte wetting and enhances uptake, improves ion conductivity, and increases ion transference number. The higher of K + transference number is ascribed to the strong interaction between AlF 3 and FSI – anions, as revealed through 19 F NMR. The enhancement in wetting and performance is general, being demonstrated with ester- and ether-based solvents, with K-, Na-, or Li- salts, and with different commercial separators. In full batteries, AlF 3 prevents Fe crossover and cycling-induced cathode pulverization.

NMB↗

Singlet fission in core-linked terrylenediimide dimers

We have studied two regioisomeric terrylenediimide (TDI) dimers in which the 1-positions of two TDIs are linked via 1,3- or 1,4-phenylene spacers, mTDI 2 and pTDI, respectively. The nature and the dynamics of the multiexciton state are tuned by altering the through-bond electronic couplings in the ground and excited states and by changing the solvent environment. Our results show that controlling the electronic coupling between the two chromophores by an appropriate choice of linker can result in independent triplet state formation, even though the initial correlated triplet pair state is confined to a dimer. Moreover, even in polar solvents, if the electronic coupling is strong, the correlated triplet pair state is observed prior to symmetry-breaking charge separation. These results point out the close relationship between the singlet, correlated triplet pair, and charge transfer states in molecular dimers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Separation and Purification of Berkelium-249 and Einsteinium-254

Berkelium-249 ( 249 Bk) and einsteinium-254 ( 254 Es) are isotopes of great importance for the investigation of berkelium and einsteinium chemical properties and super heavy element research. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to isolate acceptable, pure quantities of both isotopes to further research capabilities. These isotopes, along with californium-252 ( 252 Cf), are synthesized through the irradiation of mixed-curium targets in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), which has the highest continuous thermal neutron flux in the world. Once irradiated, the targets are transferred to the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center for further chemical processing and final purification to separate 249 Bk and 254 Es from the remainder of isotopes present. Several methods of separation, such as the Berkex batch solvent extraction along with cation-exchange and alpha-hydroxy-isobutyrate (AHIB) columns, are employed to achieve a clean separation of the isotopes. Production Campaigns 74–77 are discussed in depth for 252 Cf, 249 Bk, and 254 Es production and isolation of 249 Bk and 254 Es. An attempt to isolate 257 Fm in Campaign 77 is discussed as well. Table 1 summarizes the total amount of material isolated in each campaign.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Driving Force Dependent Photoinduced Charge Transfer Dynamics in Polymer-Wrapped Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Here, we investigate the thermodynamic driving-force dependences of photoinduced charge separation (CS) and subsequent charge transfer dynamics in single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)–perylenediimide (PDI) donor–acceptor (D–A) superstructures. Pump–probe spectroscopy reveals that [SWNT (•+)n ]-(PDI –• ) n CS states form on an ∼100 fs time scale following photoexcitation; these dynamics are invariant across an ∼400 mV driving force range, indicating that SWNT hole polaron formation time scales are determined by nanotube lattice and solvent relaxation. These CS states feature SWNT hole polarons adjacent to (geminate) and nearby (nongeminate) PDI radical anions. Analysis of the free energy dependence for charge recombination (CR) of [SWNT •+ ] geminate -(PDI –• ) CS states highlights an ∼2 meV value for D–A electronic coupling (HAB) and ∼0.93 eV for the total reorganization energy (λ T ). A corresponding driving force dependence of the CR dynamics for [SWNT •+ ] nongeminate -(PDI –• ) CS states indicates a diminished H AB value (∼0.6 meV) and a larger λ T (∼1.1 eV), consistent with larger transfer distances. SWNT excitons that persist following photoinduced CS drive photooxidation of PDI –• components of [SWNT (•+)n ]-(PDI –• ) n CS states ( 1 SWNT* + PDI •– → PDI + SWNT •– ); this reaction manifests a significantly reduced λ T value (∼0.67 eV) as the initially prepared SWNT reduced state bears the character of a conduction band injected electron ([SWNT •– ] CB ). This reaction thus gives rise to relaxed, nongeminate SWNT electron and hole polarons on the same nanotube; these polarons react on a 10 2 ps time scale independent of the electronic structure of these SWNT-PDI superstructures.

anions↗

Charge transfer as a mechanism for chlorophyll fluorescence concentration quenching

Highly concentrated solutions of chlorophyll display rapid fluorescence quenching. The same devastating energy loss is not seen in photosynthetic light-harvesting antenna complexes, despite the need for chromophores to be in close proximity to facilitate energy transfer. A promising, though unconfirmed mechanism for the observed quenching is energy transfer from an excited chlorophyll monomer to a closely associated chlorophyll pair that subsequently undergoes rapid nonradiative decay to the ground state via a short-lived intermediate charge-transfer state. In this work, we make use of newly emerging fast methods in quantum chemistry to assess the feasibility of this proposed mechanism. We calculate rate constants for the initial charge separation, based on Marcus free-energy surfaces extracted from molecular dynamics simulations of solvated chlorophyll pairs, demonstrating that this pathway will compete with fluorescence (i.e., drive quenching) at experimentally measured quenching concentrations. We show that the rate of charge separation is highly sensitive to interchlorophyll distance and the relative orientations of chromophores within a quenching pair. We discuss possible solvent effects on the rate of charge separation (and consequently the degree of quenching), using the light-harvesting complex II (LH2) protein from rps. acidophila as a specific example of how this process might be controlled in a protein environment. Crucially, we reveal that the LH2 antenna protein prevents quenching, even at the high chlorophyll concentrations required for efficient energy transfer, by restricting the range of orientations that neighboring chlorophyll pairs can adopt.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Solvent Stabilization of Protic Oxonium/Ammonium Intermediates in Cation Radical Cyclization Reactions Investigated via Computational Approaches

Anodic intramolecular cyclization reactions have substantial synthetic utility for formation of cyclic carbon–carbon or carbon–heteroatom bonds. For cases of intramolecular trapping of a cation radical by a protic nucleophile, the cyclization step coincides with a substantial increase in substrate acidity and thus may exhibit particularly pronounced solvent effects. In this computational work, we employ both quantum chemical (QM) and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods to compute solvent effects on free energy profiles for cyclization and deprotonation reaction steps for cation radical intermediates of substrates representative for anodic intramolecular cyclizations. We find substantial solvent contribution to the thermodynamic driving force for cation radical cyclization; for example, methanol and tetrahydrofuran solvents provide ∼30–35 kJ/mol driving force to form cyclic oxonium cation radicals and ∼15–25 kJ/mol driving force to form cyclic ammonium cation radicals, compared to baseline reactions in dichloromethane solvent. Given that these solvent shifts are on par with the innate cyclization reaction thermodynamics, the choice of solvent plays a crucial role in promoting/driving the cation radical cyclization step. Methanol is particularly effective at facilitating rapid deprotonation of the cyclic cation radical intermediate, which may lead to the full electrochemical process (e.g., second electron transfer) proceeding heterogeneously at the anode.

Khan, Shahriar [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000289138430)↗

Water-enhanced bifunctional metal-acid catalyst for C=C bond hydrogenation

Water-assisted proton shuttling can promote hydrogenation of polar functional groups, and it is generally believed that such an effect can be hardly applied to hydrogenation of C═C bonds due to the latter's weak interaction with water. Here, we report density functional theory calculations and metadynamics simulations, through which we show a dynamic bifunctional metal–acid site that can be transformed, when interacting with water, into an active configuration for unexpected water-enhanced proton shuttling to C═C bonds. In particular, we investigated B(OH)3 anchored to a Ni catalyst for hydrogenation of cyclohexene in an organic solvent, which showed in experiments an increased rate by 100 times when adding a small amount of water. Metadynamics simulations suggest that a B(OH)3–H2O cluster can form on Ni(111), which promotes the proton transfer in the first hydrogenation step, while the second hydrogenation is still driven by metal-mediated direct H-transfer. The recovery process of B(OH)3–H2O also involves a proton shuttling step. We find that the boric species on the surface serves as an electron reservoir and carries the negative charge to balance the positive charge in the proton transfer steps. This work thus provides fundamental insights into this dynamic transformation process of the metal–acid interface, which can in principle be applied to many other bifunctional systems for hydrogenating non-polar unsaturated groups by engineering the interfacial charge separation.

Sun, Shoutian↗

Electron Inversion and Tunneling at Silicon Thermal Oxide Interfaces for Solar-Driven Molecular Catalysis to Syngas

Semiconductor photoelectrodes are regularly coupled to solid-state heterogeneous catalysts to perform solar-driven reduction of CO 2 . Less frequently, molecular catalysts are employed to better control the reactivity toward desired products, yet the development of robust semiconductor/molecule interfaces has proven challenging. Here, we demonstrate that a 2–3 nm thermal oxide layer on Si exhibits stability in aqueous solution, high photovoltage, and a photocurrent density of ∼10 mA/cm 2 for the solar-driven photoelectrochemical reduction of a homogeneous molecular catalyst, producing syngas with an ∼2:1 H 2 to CO ratio. Because of a low defect density, the oxide interface forms an electron inversion layer with metal-like electron density at cathodic potentials. This inversion layer facilitates electron transfer to redox-active molecules via tunneling even if the molecule’s reduction potential is beyond the semiconductor’s conduction band edge. Using an electrolyte solution composed of a homogeneous cobalt bis(terpyridine) catalyst in a water/organic solvent mixture, stable photoelectrochemistry was observed under 1-sun illumination, exhibiting an ∼30% Faradaic efficiency for CO that was similar to a glassy carbon electrode under comparable conditions. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that an ultrathin thermal oxide interface is a robust platform for development of aqueous-stable, molecule-driven photoelectrocatalysis.

Catalysts↗

Multiphase computational fluid dynamics modeling of reacting flows in absorption columns for carbon capture

First-principles derived computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been proposed as a fundamental tool for investigating solvent-based CO 2 absorption in packed columns due to their ability to accurately represent the underlying nonlinear, multiscale dynamics. Numerous studies have previously utilized such CFD simulations to investigate hydrodynamics of columns with structured and random packings by assessing the key hydrodynamic metrics such as the interfacial and wetted areas. While mapping such metrics for different conditions is essential to the optimization of absorption columns, it is not sufficient, as the CO 2 capture rate depends also on the coupled, nonlinear dynamics from the underlying chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and heat-transfer rates. In this work, we present detailed CFD simulation results augmented by incorporating the effects of interfacial physical mass transfer of CO 2 , heat release from chemical reaction kinetics, and thermophysical property variations from resulting temperature gradients. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach in numerically assessing the performance of packed columns by evaluating key hydrodynamic quantities, CO 2 absorption rates, and temperature rise in a reference column with packings that are structurally similar to the Sulzer Mellapak™ 250.Y packing, for different solvent inflow velocities and temperatures. Predictions from simulation results are found to be consistent with the trends in experimental observations from the literature, suggesting that the predictive capabilities of the simulation framework can be leveraged to guide the future development of absorber-column designs and optimized process flowsheets.

Absorption columns↗

Optical spectroscopy of molten fluorides: Methods, electronic and vibrational data, structural interpretation, and relevance to radiative heat transfer

In this study, to help address the need for predicting radiative heat transfer (RHT) behavior of molten salts, we conducted a comprehensive review of methods and data from optical spectroscopic measurements on molten fluoride salts. Transmittance, reflectance, and trans-reflectance experimental methods are discussed, along with the corresponding data reduction methodology and the limitations of each technique. Optical spectroscopy is a convenient indirect probe for changes in structural parameters with temperature and composition. Electronic and vibrational absorption data for transition-metal, lanthanide, and actinide solutes and vibrational absorption data for alkali and alkaline earth fluoride solvents are compiled, and the corresponding structural interpretation is discussed and compared with other experimental and theoretical work. We find that solvent and solute vibrational absorption can be significant in the mid-infrared, resulting in near-infrared edges of significance to RHT. Extrapolation and averaging of existing edge data leads to estimated gray absorption coefficient values at 700 °C of 546 m —1 for FLiBe and 276 m —1 for FLiNaK, both within the range of 1 – 6000 m —1 identified to be of engineering relevance for radiative heat transfer analysis.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Evaporation-Induced Vertical Alignment Enabling Directional Ion Transport in a 2D-Nanosheet-Based Battery Electrode

2D nanosheets have been widely explored as electrode materials owing to their extraordinarily high electrochemical activity and fast solid-state diffusion. However, the scalable electrode fabrication based on this type of material usually suffers from severe performance losses due to restricted ion-transport kinetics in a large thickness. Here, a novel strategy based on evaporation-induced assembly to enable directional ion transport via forming vertically aligned nanosheets is reported. The orientational ordering is achieved by a rapid evaporation of mixed solvents during the electrode fabrication process. Compared with conventional drop-cast electrodes, which exhibit a random arrangement of the nanosheets and obvious decrease of rate performance with increasing thickness, the electrode based on the vertically aligned nanosheets is able to retain the original high rate capability even at high mass loadings and electrode thickness. Furthermore, combined electrochemical and structural characterization reveals the electrode composed of orientation-controlled nanosheets to possess lower charge-transfer resistances, leading to more complete phase transformation in the active material.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Observation of parallel intersystem crossing and charge transfer-state dynamics in [Fe(bpy) 3 ] 2+ from ultrafast 2D electronic spectroscopy

Transition metal-based charge-transfer complexes represent a broad class of inorganic compounds with diverse photochemical applications. Charge-transfer complexes based on earth-abundant elements have been of increasing interest, particularly the canonical [Fe(bpy) 3 ] 2+ . Photoexcitation into the singlet metal–ligand charge transfer ( 1 MLCT) state is followed by relaxation first to the ligand-field manifold and then to the ground state. While these dynamics have been well-studied, processes within the MLCT manifold that facilitate and/or compete with relaxation have been more elusive. We applied ultrafast two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy (2DES) to disentangle the dynamics immediately following MLCT excitation of this compound. First, dynamics ascribed to relaxation out of the initially formed 1 MLCT state was found to correlate with the inertial response time of the solvent. Second, the additional dimension of the 2D spectra revealed a peak consistent with a ~20 fs 1 MLCT → 3 MLCT intersystem crossing process. These two observations indicate that the complex simultaneously undergoes intersystem crossing and direct conversion to ligand-field state(s). Resolution of these parallel pathways in this prototypical earth-abundant complex highlights the ability of 2DES to deconvolve the otherwise obscured excited-state dynamics of charge-transfer complexes.

2-dimensional electronic spectroscopy↗

Colloidal InAs Quantum Dot-Based Infrared Optoelectronics Enabled by Universal Dual-Ligand Passivation

Solution-processed low-bandgap semiconductors are crucial to next-generation infrared (IR) detection for various applications, such as autonomous driving, virtual reality, recognitions, and quantum communications. In particular, III–V group colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are interesting as nontoxic bandgap-tunable materials and suitable for IR absorbers; however, the device performance is still lower than that of Pb-based devices. Herein, a universal surface-passivation method of InAs CQDs enabled by intermediate phase transfer (IPT), a preliminary process that exchanges native ligands with aromatic ligands on the CQD surface is presented. IPT yields highly stable CQD ink. In particular, desirable surface ligands with various reactivities can be obtained by dispersing them in green solvents. Furthermore, CQD near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors are demonstrated using solution processes. Careful surface ligand control via IPT is revealed that enables the modulation of surface-mediated photomultiplication, resulting in a notable gain control up to ≈10 with a fast rise/fall response time (≈12/36 ns). Considering the figure of merit (FOM), EQE versus response time (or –3 dB bandwidth), the optimal CQD photodiode yields one of the highest FOMs among all previously reported solution-processed nontoxic semiconductors comprising organics, perovskites, and CQDs in the NIR wavelength range.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Brush-modified fluorescent organic nanoparticles by ATRP with rigidity-regulated emission

Organic nanoparticles provide exceptional intraparticle tailorability, enabling the incorporation of functional molecules for diverse applications. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FoNPs) with encapsulated aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens with emission properties regulated by particle rigidity. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was employed in dispersed media to develop various fluorescence colors tuned by precise control over particle rigidity. Comprehensive analyses revealed that increased particle rigidity significantly enhanced photoluminescence, achieving quantum yields of up to 22% in selected solvents. The high chain-end fidelity facilitated the grafting of hydrophilic polymer brushes from surfaces of FoNPs used as macroinitiators, enabling their dispersion in aqueous media while maintaining bright fluorescence. These findings highlight the potential of rigidity-regulated FoNPs as versatile platforms for advanced material applications, particularly in fluorescent waterborne films and aqueous-phase sensing systems.

Yin, Rongguan [Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, ↗

Chemically sensitive fluorescence imaging of colliding microdroplets

Here, we present a simple optical capability for generating spatially resolved chemical concentration maps of mixing fluids using a chemically sensitive dye, 1-hydroxy-3,6,8-pyrenetrisulfonic acid, detected by planar laser induced fluorescence. To demonstrate an application of this capability, we investigate the collision and mixing of a pair of microdroplets in air. The two microdroplets are composed of different fluids, methanol and water, with the dye initially in the methanol droplet. When the droplets collide and mixing process develops, the fluorescence of the dye shifts from blue to green as the solvent environment changes. A series of spectral-temporal images of the collision and subsequent mixing are recorded, from which we extract the distribution of the two intermixing droplet species reflected in the spatially resolved dye spectra. Images reveal material transfer between droplets in both coalescing and non-coalescing droplet collisions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Solvent Dynamics in Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Li−sulfur (Li−S) batteries are promising as the next-generation energy storage technology but face challenges due to sluggish sulfur redox reaction (SRR) kinetics and a sulfur shuttling effect. While many studies have explored polycaprolactone (PCL)-based gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) to address these issues, the influence of solvent properties, including dielectric constant (ϵ) and donor and acceptor numbers (DN and AN), remain unexplored despite their critical impact on performance and full-scale implementation. This study systematically compares three distinct electrolytes, dimethoxyethane (DME), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME)-paired with PCL, to correlate the varied solvent properties and their effects on the physical properties of the GPE, in terms of Li + transport and solvation, and polysulfide’s confinement. Among them, the DME-based GPE, with an intermediate DN, exhibited the lowest crystallinity (2.31%), highest ionic conductivity (7.49 mS/cm), and high Li + transference number (0.77). As a result, it achieved a specific capacity of 795 mAh/g sulfur and an average Coulombic efficiency of 97.5% after 120 cycles at C/5, outperforming its competitors. Operando Raman and UV−vis spectroscopy confirmed that PCL effectively confines long-chain polysulfides within its network, mitigating the shuttle effect and facilitating reversible polysulfide conversion. These findings demonstrate that GPEs with moderate DN values and balanced ϵ significantly enhance stability, extend cycle life, and improve rate performance for Li−S batteries. This work provides valuable insights into the design of advanced electrolyte systems for practical energy storage applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Temporal and spatial resolution of distal protein motions that activate hydrogen tunneling in soybean lipoxygenase

The enzyme soybean lipoxygenase (SLO) provides a prototype for deep tunneling mechanisms in hydrogen transfer catalysis. This work combines room temperature X-ray studies with extended hydrogen–deuterium exchange experiments to define a catalytically-linked, radiating cone of aliphatic side chains that connects an active site iron center of SLO to the protein–solvent interface. Employing eight variants of SLO that have been appended with a fluorescent probe at the identified surface loop, nanosecond fluorescence Stokes shifts have been measured. We report a remarkable identity of the energies of activation ( E a ) for the Stokes shifts decay rates and the millisecond C–H bond cleavage step that is restricted to side chain mutants within an identified thermal network. These findings implicate a direct coupling of distal protein motions surrounding the exposed fluorescent probe to active site motions controlling catalysis. While the role of dynamics in enzyme function has been predominantly attributed to a distributed protein conformational landscape, the presented data implicate a thermally initiated, cooperative protein reorganization that occurs on a timescale faster than nanosecond and represents the enthalpic barrier to the reaction of SLO.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗