Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Self-Assembly”

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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Patchy nanoparticles by atomic stencilling

Stencilling, in which patterns are created by painting over masks, has ubiquitous applications in art, architecture and manufacturing. Modern, top-down microfabrication methods have succeeded in reducing mask sizes to under 10 nm, enabling ever smaller microdevices as today’s fastest computer chips. Meanwhile, bottom-up masking using chemical bonds or physical interactions has remained largely unexplored, despite its advantages of low cost, solution-processability, scalability and high compatibility with complex, curved and three-dimensional (3D) surfaces. Here we report atomic stencilling to make patchy nanoparticles (NPs), using surface-adsorbed iodide submonolayers to create the mask and ligand-mediated grafted polymers onto unmasked regions as ‘paint’. We use this approach to synthesize more than 20 different types of NP coated with polymer patches in high yield. Polymer scaling theory and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation show that stencilling, along with the interplay of enthalpic and entropic effects of polymers, generates patchy particle morphologies not reported previously. These polymer-patched NPs self-assemble into extended crystals owing to highly uniform patches, including different non-closely packed superlattices. We propose that atomic stencilling opens new avenues in patterning NPs and other substrates at the nanometre length scale, leading to precise control of their chemistry, reactivity and interactions for a wide range of applications, such as targeted delivery, catalysis, microelectronics, integrated metamaterials and tissue engineering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Organogold oligomers: Exploiting iClick and aurophilic cluster formation to prepare solution stable Au 4 repeating units

A novel synthetic method to create gold based metallo–oligomers/polymers via the combination of inorganic click (iClick) with intermolecular aurophilic interactions is demonstrated. Complexes [PEt 3 Au] 4 (μ-N 3 C 2 C 6 H 5 ) (1) and [PPhMe 2 Au] 4 3 C 2 C 6 H 5 ) (2) and {[PEt 3 Au] 4 [(μ-N 3 C 2 ) 2 -9,9-dihexyl-9H-fluorene]} n (8) have been synthesized via iClick. The tetranuclear structures of 1 and 2, induced by aurophilic bonding, are confirmed in the solid state through single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments and in solution via variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. The extended 1D structure of 8 is constructed by aurophilic induced self-assembly. 1 H DOSY NMR analysis reveals that the aurophilic bonds in 1, 2, and 8 are retained in the solution phase. The degree of polymerization within complex 8 is temperature and concentration dependent, as determined by 1 H DOSY NMR. The complex 8 is a rare example of a solution stable higher ordered structure linked by aurophilic interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Innovative Interfacial Engineering for Simultaneous Enhancement in Efficiency, Stability, and Reliability in Perovskite Devices

The overarching objective of this project was to increase significantly the mechanical adhesion toughness of the key interfaces in PSCs, thereby improving the durability and reliability of PSCs and minimodules, while simultaneously enhancing their PCE. This is achieved by incorporating rationally-chosen self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) at key PSC interfaces. Inherently scalable methods for the deposition of MHP light-absorber thin films and SAMs are employed to ensure a viable path towards manufacturability. Furthermore, detailed understanding of mechanisms of PSCs and minimodules degradation, and SAMs-induced mitigation, is provided. As part of the project accomplishments, >60% increase in the adhesion toughness of the key PSC interfaces over their SAMs-free control counterparts was achieved. Also, PCEs >20% and >19% in rigid and flexible, respectively, single-junction PSCs (~1 cm 2 area) were achieved. It was shown that <20% PCE loss in flexible PSCs with SAMs can be achieved after bend testing. It was demonstrated that T80 (80% retention of initial PCE) of >5,000 hours in rigid PSCs (~1 cm2 area) can be achieved. Comprehensive understanding of the degradation mechanisms in PSCs was obtained. These strategies were adopted towards developing minimodules. PCE of >21% was obtained in an 6-cm 2 area minimodule, with T91 of 1,000 hours.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

From Pollutant Removal to Renewable Energy: MoS2-Enhanced P25-Graphene Photocatalysts for Malathion Degradation and H2 Evolution

The widespread presence of pesticides—especially malathion—in aquatic environments presents a major obstacle to conventional remediation strategies, while the ongoing global energy crisis underscores the urgency of developing renewable energy sources such as hydrogen. In this context, photocatalytic water splitting emerges as a promising approach, though its practical application remains limited by poor charge carrier dynamics and insufficient visible-light utilization. Herein, we report the design and evaluation of a series of TiO2-based ternary nanocomposites comprising commercial P25 TiO2, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), with MoS2 loadings ranging from 1% to 10% by weight. The photocatalysts were fabricated via a two-step method: hydrothermal integration of rGO into P25 followed by solution-phase self-assembly of exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets. The composites were systematically characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity was assessed through two key applications: the degradation of malathion (20 mg/L) under simulated solar irradiation and hydrogen evolution from water in the presence of sacrificial agents. Quantification was performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and thermal conductivity detection (GC-TCD). Results showed that the integration of rGO significantly enhanced surface area and charge mobility, while MoS2 served as an effective co-catalyst, promoting interfacial charge separation and acting as an active site for hydrogen evolution. Nearly complete malathion degradation (~100%) was achieved within two hours, and hydrogen production reached up to 6000 µmol g−1 h−1 under optimal MoS2 loading. Notably, photocatalytic performance declined with higher MoS2 content due to recombination effects. Overall, this work demonstrates the synergistic enhancement provided by rGO and MoS2 in a stable P25-based system and underscores the viability of such ternary nanocomposites for addressing both environmental remediation and sustainable energy conversion challenges.

Chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2026

DNA Crystals as a Template for Patterned Functional Materials

DNA nanotechnology offers a wide toolkit of molecular functionalities and scales, including intricate motifs less than 10 nm and periodic structures exceeding 100 µm. At larger scales, however, there are often significant tradeoffs for DNA structures, namely stability and mechanical strength. This work describes the design, synthesis, and characterization of a functionalized DNA crystal. Using a ligated DNA crystal grants significant freedom for various functional materials to be applied, in this case, semiconducting cadmium sulfide and palladium metal. Properties investigated in this study include stability, mechanical strength, and optoelectronic properties such as photoluminescence (PL) and electric conductivity. Significant changes are observed based on the functional material applied to DNA crystals. The Young's modulus of the crystal varies by about five orders of magnitude when functionalized with palladium. PL and semiconductive behaviors were observed when cadmium sulfide was attached. These crystals represent an expansion of the capabilities of DNA structures at these length scales, and additionally a platform for future studies exchanging the materials or altering the ligation scheme.

CdS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Buried Interfaces in Organic Photocathodes for H 2 Evolution: Fermi-Level Pinning and Recombination

Herein, we demonstrate how Fermi-level pinning at buried contacts impacts solar fuel generation in all-polymer photocathodes by systematically comparing the effects of work function, hydroxyl coverage, and hydrogen evolution using chemically modified indium tin oxide (ITO) supports. Photovoltages and net photocathode performance are improved when the ITO is passivated using phosphonic acids, independent of work function, suggesting that the passivation reduces Fermi-level pinning at the buried interface arising from blended heterojunction interactions with surface metal hydroxyls. Transient photovoltage decay reveals differences in recombination mechanisms, supported by light intensity-dependent measurements. Briefly, nonpassivated, hydrophilic contacts exhibit trap-assisted recombination, while passivated, hydrophobic contacts follow bimolecular recombination. We then investigate changes in electroactivity of hole-transfer processes as a function of scan rate and repetitive cycling using a diffusion-controlled molecular redox probe, analogous to a hole-only device achieved via the electrolyte. The nonpassivated buried contacts exhibit higher overpotentials for oxidation, indicative of hole injection/extraction barriers. We observe irreversible electron transfer via the hole-transport level of the blended heterojunction and a strong cycle dependence, consistent with changes in the hole trap state density. Passivation results in more reversible redox behaviors, consistent with more Ohmic-like contacts. Collectively, these results provide context toward the realization of durable organic photoelectrodes with optimized photovoltages and net solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies via fundamental understanding of the rates of carrier generation, recombination, and transport in high-dielectric aqueous environments and opportunities to characterize buried interfaces under device-relevant electric fields.

buried interfaces↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stable Iridium(IV) Complexes of an Oxidation-Resistant Pyridine-Alkoxide Ligand: Highly Divergent Redox Properties Depending on the Isomeric Form Adopted

The preparation of the facial and meridional isomers of [Ir( pyalk ) 3 ] ( pyalk = 2-(2-pyridyl)isopropanoate), as model complexes for a powerful water oxidation catalyst, is reported herein. The strongly donating N 3 O 3 ligand set is very oxidation-resistant, yet promotes facile metal-centered oxidation to form stable Ir(IV) compounds. The Ir III/IV reduction potentials of the two isomers differ by 340 mV despite the identical ligand set. A ligand field rationalization is advanced and supported by DFT calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Nickel(ii) and copper(i,ii)-based metal-organic frameworks incorporating an extended tris-pyrazolate linker

Solvothermal reactions between the tritopic pyrazole-based ligand 1,3,5-tris((1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenyl)benzene (H 3 BTPP) and nickel(II) perchlorate or copper(II) nitrate afforded two new metal-organic frameworks, Ni 3 (BTPP) 2 ·solvent (Ni-BTPP) and Cu I 4 Cu II 2 (OH) 2 (BTPP) 2 ·solvent (Cu-BTPP). Powder diffraction structure determination methods were employed to determine the crystal and molecular structure of the copper(I,II) derivative: triangular [Cu3N6(μ3-OH)] nodes are connected to six nearby ones by the pyrazolate ligands, thus constructing flat two-dimensional layers that stack to form slit-like one-dimensional channels. Thermogravimetric analyses highlighted both the thermal stability and the permanent porosity of these two materials. Porosity was confirmed by N 2 adsorption at 77 K, yielding Langmuir specific surface areas of 1923(3) m 2 g -1 and 874(8) m 2 g -1 for Ni-BTPP and Cu-BTPP, respectively. Additionally, Ni-BTPP adsorbed 1.73 mmol g -1 (7.6 wt%) of CO 2 at the mild conditions of 298 K and 1 bar.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell photocurrent and efficiency using a Y-shaped, pyrazine-containing heteroaromatic sensitizer linkage

A new sensitizer motif for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) has been developed. A heteroaromatic moiety containing a pyrazine ring links two porphyrin chromophores to the metal oxide surface via two carboxylic acid attachment groups. A test DSSC sensitized with the new molecule was 3.5 times more efficient than a similar cell sensitized by a single porphyrin model compound. The open circuit photovoltage was increased by a modest factor of 1.3, but the photocurrent increased by a factor of 2.7. Most of the increase is attributed to a reduced rate of charge recombination of the charge separated state formed by photoinduced electron transfer from the excited sensitizer to the TiO 2 , although some of the difference is due to increased light absorption resulting from more dye on the photoanode. Increased light absorption due to the pyrazine-containing group may also play a role. The design illustrated here could also be used to link complementary sensitizers or antenna moieties in order to increase spectral coverage.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗