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I will review the status of multi-nucleon interactions and structure with lattice QCD. Recent results will be used to highlight the advances and main challenges for future work.
Additively manufactured (AM) metal-metal composites consisting of PrintCasted 316 L austenitic stainless-steel lattice structures infiltrated with A356 casting alloy, have recently been developed for use in high energy absorption systems with potential applications ranging from static load bearing to dynamic blast containment structures. This system has a unique mechanical behavior as the volume fraction of lattice increases showing a transition from localized to de-localized failure and dramatic increase in energy absorption capability. In this work, PrintCast A356/316 L composite tensile specimens were produced with lattice volume fractions ranging from 20 % to 50 % to capture the range of this behavior. Finite element simulations support neutron diffraction measurements of stress state. Results illustrate that in tension, the reinforcement material is in tension while the matrix support material is in compression, information offering significant insight into the transition to de-localized failure. Moreover, the simulation results provide further insight into how interfacial bonding (or lack of bonding) affects the energy absorption capabilities of the PrintCast composites.
Amorphous thin film oxygen evolving catalysts, OECs, of first-row transition metals show promise to serve as self-assembling photoanode materials in solar-driven, photoelectrochemical `artificial leaf' devices. This report demonstrates the ability to use high-energy X-ray scattering and atomic pair distribution function analysis, PDF, to resolve structure in amorphous metal oxide catalyst films. The analysis is applied here to resolve domain structure differences induced by oxyanion substitution during the electrochemical assembly of amorphous cobalt oxide catalyst films, Co-OEC. PDF patterns for Co-OEC films formed using phosphate, Pi, methylphosphate, MPi, and borate, Bi, electrolyte buffers show that the resulting domains vary in size following the sequence Pi < MPi < Bi. The increases in domain size for CoMPi and CoBi were found to be correlated with increases in the contributions from bilayer and trilayer stacked domains having structures intermediate between those of the LiCoOO and CoO(OH) mineral forms. The lattice structures and offset stacking of adjacent layers in the partially stacked CoMPi and CoBi domains were best matched to those in the LiCoOO layered structure. The results demonstrate the ability of PDF analysis to elucidate features of domain size, structure, defect content and mesoscale organization for amorphous metal oxide catalysts that are not readily accessed by other X-ray techniques. Finally, PDF structure analysis is shown to provide a way to characterize domain structures in different forms of amorphous oxide catalysts, and hence provide an opportunity to investigate correlations between domain structure and catalytic activity.
In contrast to leaky BiFeO{sub 3}, of which two structural phase transitions of cycloidal modulated antiferromagnetic-paramagnetic and ferroelectric-paraelectric are observed below 850 °C, chemical co-substitution to form Bi{sub 1−x}La{sub x}Fe{sub 1−y}Ti{sub y}O{sub 3} ternary solid solution makes these multiferroic ceramics become robust insulating low dielectric loss and exhibit rich structural phase transitions. Differential thermal analysis and temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction measurements probe four first-order structural phase transitions, e.g., T{sub H} = 305 °C, T{sub N} = 365 °C, T{sub C} = 810 °C, and T{sub S} = 830 °C observed in the Bi{sub 0.98}La{sub 0.02}Fe{sub 0.99}Ti{sub 0.01}O{sub 3} system, which are reasonably attributed to Brazovskii-type cycloidal modulated antiferromagnetic-helimagnetic (at T{sub H}) and helimagnetic-paramagnetic (at T{sub N}) magnetic phase transitions, ferroelectric-paraelectric (at T{sub C}) and rhombohedral-cubic (at T{sub S}) structural phase transitions, respectively. Magnetic phase transition temperatures change a little but ferroelectric and lattice structural phase transition temperatures decrease gradually with increasing co-substitution up to composition-induced rhombohedral-(pseudo-)cubic structural phase boundary. The first-order nature of magnetic phase transition and emergence of helimagnetic phase were attributed to Ti{sup 3+} d{sup 1} magnetic disorder distribution in the Fe{sup 3+} d{sup 5}-O-Fe{sup 3+} d{sup 5} chains, while the first-order nature becomes weak with increasing co-substitution, owing to decreased ferroelectric rhombohedral lattice distortion. An intermediate rhombohedral paraelectric phase is discovered intervening between ferroelectric rhombohedral and paraelectric cubic phase, of which the temperature range defined by difference between T{sub C} and T{sub S} increases with increasing co-substitution. It was found that T{sub C} and T{sub S} are able to be predicted quantitatively by reduced mass of unit cell. These findings enrich our understanding of ferroic phase transitions and advance designing novel high temperature multiferroic compounds.
The rapid evolution in materials science has resulted in a significant interest in high-entropy alloys (HEAs) for their unique properties. This study focuses on understanding both quaternary and quinary body-centered cubic (BCC) of 12 refractory-based HEAs, and on analysis of their electronic structures, lattice distortions, mechanical, and thermal properties. A comprehensive assessment is undertaken by means of density functional theory (DFT)-based first principles calculations. It is well known that multiple constituents lead to notable lattice distortions, especially in quinary HEAs. This distortion, in turn, has significant implications on the electronic structure that ultimately affect mechanical and thermal behaviors of these alloys such as ductility, lattice thermal conductivity, and toughness. Our in-depth analysis of their electronic structures revealed the role of valence electron concentration and its correlation with bond order and mechanical properties. Local lattice distortion (LD) was investigated for these 12 HEA models. M1 (WTiVZrHf), M7 (TiZrHfW), and M12 (TiZrHfVNb) have the highest LD whereas the models M3 (MoTaTiV), M5 (WTaCrV), M6 (MoNbTaW), and M9 (NbTaTiV) have the less LD. Furthermore, we investigated the thermal properties focusing on Debye temperature (ΘD), thermal conductivity (κ), Grüneisen parameter (γα), and dominant phonon wavelength (λdom). The NbTaTiV(M9) and TiVNbHf(M10) models have significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivities (κL). This reduction is due to the mass increase and strain fluctuations, which in turn signify lattice distortion. The findings not only provide an understanding of these promising materials but also offer guidance for the design of next-generation HEAs with properties tailored for potential specific applications.
Recent discoveries of multicomponent concentrated solid-solution alloys hold promise for enhanced properties—such as enhanced mechanical properties, radiation tolerance, high temperature strength, corrosion resistance and some novel functional properties, provide a new strategy for alloy design using extreme disorder. Yet, deep understanding of these intriguing properties is complicated by the very effects of disorder that make them interesting. All the desirable properties of these alloys ultimately originate from the disorder-induced properties of underlying electronic structure, lattice dynamics, and thermodynamics. Therefore, understanding the disorder-induced fundamental physical properties is prerequisite for the science-based design of this class of alloys for practical applications. Furthermore, we elucidate the role of extreme (maximal) substitutional disorder plays in the fundamental physics of disordered alloys and review the recently developed theoretical methodologies in modeling the basic physical properties, particularly electronic structure, magnetism, electrical transport, and lattice vibrations in multicomponent concentrated solid-solution alloys.
Graphical abstract: The image is a SEM image of branched MoS{sub 2} nanotubes, which are prepared in AAO templates. It is obvious to observe the branch of MoS{sub 2} nanotubes (labeled by arrows), and it reflects the microcosmic morphologies of pores in templates. Highlights: {yields} Large quantities of hollow MoS2 tubules. {yields} Explanation for the formation of branched shape. {yields} Explanation for the morphology of bamboo-like structure. -- Abstract: Molybdenum disulfide nanotubules were prepared by thermal decomposition of ammonium thiomolybdate ((NH{sub 4}){sub 2}MoS{sub 4}) precursors on anodized aluminum oxide template. Large quantities of hollow MoS{sub 2} nanotubules with the bamboo-like structure were obtained. The morphology and structures of MoS{sub 2} tubules were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron diffraction and optical absorption spectroscopy. MoS{sub 2} nanotubules completely reflected the three-dimensional structure of nanopores in template. The properties of Mo-S chemical bonds in lattice structure and the wetting state between porous surface and precursor have a great effect on the formation of sections in nanotubules, the ridges in the nanopores also play a very special role of this formation.
This study presented the disruption of the Sn and Ag{sub 3}Sn lattice structures of Sn3.5Ag solder induced by electric current at 5–7 × 10{sup 3} A/cm{sup 2} with a high resolution transmission electron microscope investigation and electron diffraction analysis. The electric current stressing induced a high degree of strain on the alloy, as estimated from the X-ray diffraction (XRD) peak shift of the current stressed specimen. The XRD peak intensity of the Sn matrix and the Ag{sub 3}Sn intermetallic compound diminished to nearly undetectable after 2 h of current stressing. The electric current stressing gave rise to a high dislocation density of up to 10{sup 17}/m{sup 2}. The grain morphology of the Sn matrix became invisible after prolonged current stressing as a result of the coalescence of dislocations.
Structural defects and lattice strain are intrinsic to many crystalline materials, yet their roles in controlling chemical reaction mechanisms and directing crystallization pathways remain poorly understood. Here, in this study, we revealed the three-dimensional evolution of strain and dislocation defects at the nanoscale during the growth of heterogeneously nucleated barite (BaSO 4 ) and calcite (CaCO 3 ) crystals by using coherent X-ray scattering, electron microscopy, and molecular simulations. Unlike barite, which formed with minimal internal strain, calcite developed dislocation defects and exhibited spatially varying strain that increased during growth. During growth in Sr-rich solutions, calcite likely incorporates Sr 2+ into the defects, which further modulates the local lattice structure and increases both the compressive and tensile strain. These findings suggest that calcite crystallization was likely dominated by attachment of precursor phases, which gave rise to defect-enriched domain structures not predicted by classical growth models. By linking defect formation to ion incorporation and growth dynamics, this work provides fundamental insight into how lattice-level strain heterogeneity governs the chemical reactivity of ionic crystals.
Growing interest in next generation molten salt nuclear reactors necessitates a fundamental understanding of the chemical and physico-chemical properties of fission products, including elements of the lanthanide series. In this study, we probed coordination environment of Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy in their chloride salts with both laboratory and synchrotron scale X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Here the aerobic melting was carried out with LnCl 3 ·nH 2 O, where Ln is Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy, and yielded predominant formation of oxychlorides (LnOCl), that was confirmed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) computations were performed to obtain ground state structures, lattice parameters, and to simulate L 3 -edge XANES (X-ray absorption near edge structure) spectra of the LnCl 3 ·nH 2 O and LnOCl. A blue shift, initially predicted by our calculations, was also observed for the experimental Ln L 3 -edge XANES spectra of the hydrated trichlorides vs oxychlorides, highlighting the power of combining the predictive ability of theory with experiment to elucidate the properties of the compounds of interest. The blue shift is indicative of structural stabilization of LnCl 3 ·nH 2 O due to higher symmetry compared with LnOCl. To the best of knowledge, this is a first study providing the framework for fundamental insights into the structure of Ln trichlorides and oxychlorides in support of future characterization of lanthanides in the molten salt environment.
Diffusion involving atom transport from one location to another governs many important processes and behaviors such as precipitation and phase nucleation. The inherent chemical complexity in compositionally complex materials poses challenges for modeling atomic diffusion and the resulting formation of chemically ordered structures. Here, we introduce a neural network kinetics (NNK) scheme that predicts and simulates diffusion-induced chemical and structural evolution in complex concentrated chemical environments. The framework is grounded on efficient on-lattice structure and chemistry representation combined with artificial neural networks, enabling precise prediction of all path-dependent migration barriers and individual atom jumps. To demonstrate the method, we study the temperature-dependent local chemical ordering in a refractory NbMoTa alloy and reveal a critical temperature at which the B2 order reaches a maximum. The atomic jump randomness map exhibits the highest diffusion heterogeneity (multiplicity) in the vicinity of this characteristic temperature, which is closely related to chemical ordering and B2 structure formation. The scalable NNK framework provides a promising new avenue to exploring diffusion-related properties in the vast compositional space within which extraordinary properties are hidden.
In the high spin–orbit-coupled Sr 2 IrO 4 , the high sensitivity of the ground state to the details of the local lattice structure shows a large potential for the manipulation of the functional properties by inducing local lattice distortions. We use epitaxial strain to modify the Ir–O bond geometry in Sr 2 IrO 4 and perform momentum-dependent resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) at the metal and at the ligand sites to unveil the response of the low-energy elementary excitations. Furthermore, we observe that the pseudospin-wave dispersion for tensile-strained Sr 2 IrO 4 films displays large softening along the [h,0] direction, while along the [h,h] direction it shows hardening. This evolution reveals a renormalization of the magnetic interactions caused by a strain-driven cross-over from anisotropic to isotropic interactions between the magnetic moments. Moreover, we detect dispersive electron–hole pair excitations which shift to lower (higher) energies upon compressive (tensile) strain, manifesting a reduction (increase) in the size of the charge gap. This behavior shows an intimate coupling between charge excitations and lattice distortions in Sr 2 IrO 4 , originating from the modified hopping elements between the t 2g orbitals. Our work highlights the central role played by the lattice degrees of freedom in determining both the pseudospin and charge excitations of Sr 2 IrO 4 and provides valuable information toward the control of the ground state of complex oxides in the presence of high spin–orbit coupling.
A monoenergetic, homogenized, anisotropic diffusion equation is derived asymptotically for large, 3-D, multiplying systems with a periodic lattice structure. The primary assumption is that the system is slightly perturbed from an infinite, periodic lattice, and that the length scale of a lattice element is small relative to the total system size. The perturbed flux is slightly buckled, and the leading order term is the product of a slowly varying amplitude component, and a rapidly varying periodic component. The amplitude function is the solution to the homogenized diffusion equation, while the periodic component is the solution to the unperturbed, infinite system, and can be found using any high-order transport method. The first order term acts as a correction term, and makes it possible to obtain a zero flux extrapolation distance for the diffusion equation by applying the Marshak boundary condition. (authors)
For this research, the crystal structure, lattice dynamics and themomechanical properties of bulk monoclinic zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl 4 ) have been investigated using zero-damping dispersion-corrected density functional theory [DFT-D3(zero)]. Phonon analysis reveals that ZrCl 4 (cr) undergoes negative thermal expansion (NTE) near T≈10 K, with a coefficient of thermal expansion of α=-1.2 ppm K -1 and a Grüneisen parameter of γ=-1.1. The bulk modulus is predicted to vary from K 0 =8.7 to 7.0 GPa in the temperature range 0–550 K. Lastly, the isobaric molar heat capacity derived from phonon calculations within the quasi-harmonic approximation is in fair agreement with existing calorimetric data.
Highlights: ► Phase pure nano-sized sulphur doped hydroxyapatite has been synthesized. ► TEM analysis confirmed formation of needle shaped structure. ► Lattice parameters and cell volume increased with increase in sulphate doping. ► Crystallite size decreased as sulphate content inside the structure increased. ► Degree of crystallinity decreased with increase in sulphate substitution. - Abstract: Inorganic sulphate is required by all mammalian cells to function properly, it is the fourth most abundant anion in the human plasma. Sulphate ions are the major source of sulphur which is considered an important element for sustenance of life as it is present in the essential amino and is required by cells to function properly. In this study we have successfully substituted sulphate ions (SO{sub 4}{sup 2−}) into hydroxyapatite (Ca{sub 10}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6−x}(SO{sub 4}){sub x}(OH){sub 2−x}) lattice via ion exchange process with phosphate group. Concentration of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} ions was varied between X = 0.05–0.5, using (Ca (NO{sub 3}){sub 2}·4H{sub 2}O), ((NH{sub 4}){sub 2}HPO{sub 4}) and (Na{sub 2}SO{sub 4}) as starting materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), showed that the substitution of SO{sub 4}{sup 2−} ions into the lattice resulted in peak broadening and reduced peak height due to the amorphous nature and reduced crystallinity of the resulting HA powder. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis confirmed the formation of needle shaped particles of 41 nm size with homogenous and uniform distribution of element within the HA structure.
Dynamical phase separation during a solid-solid phase transition poses a challenge for understanding the fundamental processes in correlated materials. Critical information underlying a phase transition, such as localized phase competition, is difficult to reveal by measurements that are spatially averaged over many phase seperated regions. The ability to simultanousely track the spatial and temporal evolution of such systems is essential to understanding mesoscopic processes during a phase transition. Using state-of- the-art time-resolved hard x-ray diffraction microscopy, we directly visualize the structural phase progression in a VO 2 film upon photoexcitation. Following a homogenous in-plane optical excitation, the phase transformation is initiated at discrete sites and completed by the growth of one lattice structure into the other, instead of a simultaneous isotropic lattice symmetry change. The time-dependent x-ray diffraction spatial maps show that the in-plane phase progression in laser-superheated VO 2 is via a displacive lattice transformation as a result of relaxation from an excited monoclinic phase into a rutile phase. The speed of the phase front progression is quantitatively measured, which is faster than the process driven by in-plane thermal diffusion but slower than the sound speed in VO 2 . Lastly, the direct visualization of localized structural changes in the time domain opens a new avenue to study mesoscopic processes in driven systems.
The carbon-free LiNiPO{sub 4} and cobalt doped LiNi{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}PO{sub 4}/C (x = 0.0–1.0) were synthesized and investigated for high voltage applications (> 4 V) for Li-ion batteries. Nano-scale composites were prepared by handy sol–gel approach using citric acid under slightly reductive gas atmosphere (Ar-H{sub 2}, 85:15%). Structural and morphological characteristics of the powders were revealed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). Except for a small impurity phase (Ni{sub 3}P), phase pure samples crystallized in the olivine-lattice structure with a linear relationship between lattice parameters (a, b and c) and chemical composition. The FE-SEM images proved that LiNiPO{sub 4}/C particles (50–80 nm) did not agglomerate, and showed that as the cobalt content was higher agglomeration had increased. The electrochemical properties of all electrodes were investigated by galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. Substitution of Ni{sup 2} {sup +} by Co{sup 2} {sup +} caused higher electronic conductivities and showed more effective Li{sup +} ion mobility. When the cobalt content is 100%, the capacity reached to a higher level (146.2 mA h g{sup −} {sup 1}) and good capacity retention of 85.1% at the end of the 60 cycles was observed. The cycling voltammogram (CV) revealed that LiCoPO{sub 4}/C electrode improved the electrochemical properties. The Ni{sup 3} {sup +}–Ni{sup 2} {sup +} redox couple was not observed for carbon free LiNiPO{sub 4}. Nevertheless, it was observed that carbon coated LiNiPO{sub 4} sample exhibits a significant oxidation (5.26 V)–reduction (5.08 V) peaks. With this study, characteristics of the LiNi{sub 1−x}Co{sub x}PO{sub 4}/C series were deeply evaluated and discussed. - Highlights: • Structural, morphological and electrochemical effects of Co doped LiNi{sub 1−} {sub x}Co{sub x}PO{sub 4}/C electrodes are investigated. • Cheap, effective and simple sol–gel approach is used. • After the 60th cycle, capacity retention is almost 87% for LiCoPO{sub 4}/C electrode. • LiNiPO{sub 4}/C sample exhibits a distinctive oxidation (5.26 V)–reduction (5.08 V) peaks.
We describe a method for quickly and efficiently slicing structures consisting of a large number of slender members called struts connected at node positions called joints. Previous research on periodic lattice structures shows these structures are highly mechanically efficient with exceptionally high stiffness- and strength-to-weight ratios. Additive manufacturing technologies allow the construction slender member structures with complicated macroscale shapes. These structures could consist of thousands or millions of geometric primitives describing the struts. Structures with large numbers of geometric objects cause the conventional methods for manipulating, storing, and slicing the geometry of these parts via STL files to be highly inefficient. This work describes an alternate design process for slender member structures using efficient methods for manipulating, storing, and slicing the geometry of the part. These new methods, in particular a fast, efficient direct slicing method, enable printing slender member structures with over one hundred thousand struts. The slicing algorithm is nearly perfectly parallel so it could extend to handle structures with over one million struts, helping to facilitate the adoption of slender member structures for engineering-scale applications.