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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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Insights into the Enhanced Oxidative Thermal Stability of Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials Developed for Carbon Capture and Energy Storage

Due to the growing need for Direct Air Capture (DAC) and integrated carbon capture and conversion technologies, CO 2 capture materials that can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions, including fluctuating ambient temperatures and high concentrations of oxidizing agents (i.e., oxygen and moisture), are critically needed. Liquid-like Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials (NOHMs) have been proposed as candidates for DAC and electrolyte additives enabling sustainable energy storage (i.e., integrated CO 2 capture and conversion and flow batteries). Liquid-like NOHMs functionalized with an ionic bond have been shown to display greatly enhanced oxidative thermal stability compared to the untethered polymer. However, these studies were limited in terms of reaction conditions and the detailed mechanisms of the oxidative thermal degradation were not reported. In this work, a kinetic thermal degradation analysis was performed on NOHM-I-HPE and the neat polymer, Jeffamine M2070 (HPE), in both non-oxidative and oxidative conditions. NOHM-I-HPE displayed similar thermal stability to the untethered polymer in a nitrogen environment, but interestingly, the thermal stability of the ionically tethered polymer was significantly enhanced in the presence of air. This observed enhancement of oxidative thermal stability is attributed to the orders of magnitude larger viscosity of the liquid-like NOHMs compared to untethered polymer and the bond stabilization of the ionically tethered polymer in the NOHMs canopy. Further, spectroscopic analyses of the liquid residue revealed that in the presence of oxygen, the degradation of HPE and NOHM-I-HPE occurs through the formation of trace amounts of carbonyls. This study illustrated that NOHMs can serve as functional materials for sustainable energy storage applications because of their excellent oxidative thermal stability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Dynamic Interfacial Design in Adaptive Hybrid Materials Enables Reversible and Tunable Mechano-Optic Smart Responses

Next-generation polymeric materials are shifting toward adaptive and interactive behaviors of living systems; however, designing materials that can reversibly modulate optical properties under mechanical deformation while maintaining mechanical robustness remains a key challenge. Here, we report a mechanically robust vitrimer-based adaptive hybrid material (AHM) that exhibits a stretch-induced reversible transparency-to-opacity transition, enabled by the integration of dynamic interactions at the polymer–silica nanoparticle interface and controlled nanoparticle self-assembly. The AHM combines boronic ester–functionalized polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (S-Bpin) with diol-functionalized silica nanoparticles (diol-SiNPs) to form a hybrid network hosting both dynamic boronic ester and hydrogen-bonding interactions. These reversible linkages facilitate controlled nanoparticle self-assembly and enable strain-induced nanoparticle alignment/aggregation. Upon stretching, SiNP-rich domains align and aggregate within the polymer matrix, while local modulus mismatch between stiff aggregated SiNP/borylated-styrene-rich regions and the softer elastomeric midblock induces surface microwrinkle formation. These internal aggregates and surface wrinkles cooperatively enhance light scattering, producing the opaque state under strain. Furthermore, the tailored AHM exhibits high toughness, thermomechanical stability, reprocessability, and programmable shape-memory behavior. This work presents a dynamic interfacial design strategy for mechanically robust, optically reconfigurable, and reusable soft materials for adaptive optics, smart windows, sensing, soft robotics, and circular smart-material platforms.

adaptive hybrid materials↗
DOE OSTI2025

Energy Exchange in Dynamic DNA-Metal Hybrid Materials (Final Technical Report)

This report details research results from the 1 year renewal of DE-SC0017270, Energy Exchange in Dynamic DNA-Metal Hybrid Materials, including the primary findings associated with this research. This work investigated interactions between dynamic DNA origami energy harvesting materials and inorganic materials responsive to electromagnetic fields with two primary areas of inquiry: cyclic energy conversion and mechanical energy storage and transfer. This work resulted in 5 publications, including 1 in revision, and 1 issued patent.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Thermodynamic Analysis of Silk Fibroin–Graphite Hybrid Materials and Their Morphology

Silk fibroin (SF) is a β-sheet-rich protein that is responsible for the remarkable tensile strength of silk. In addition to its mechanical properties, SF is biocompatible and biodegradable, making it an attractive candidate for use in biotic/abiotic hybrid materials. A pairing of particular interest is the use of SF with graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs). The properties of this interface drive the formation of well-ordered nanostructures and can improve the electronic properties of the resulting hybrid. It was previously demonstrated that SF can form lamellar nanostructures in the presence of graphite; however, the equilibrium morphology and associated driving interactions are not fully understood. Here, in this study, we characterize these interactions between SF and SF lamellar with graphite using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and umbrella sampling (US). We find that SF lamellar nanostructures have strong orientational and spatial preferences on graphite that are driven by the hydrophobic effect, destabilizing solvent–protein interactions and stabilizing protein–protein and protein–graphite interactions. Finally, we show how careful consideration of these underlying interactions can be applied to rationally modify the nanostructure morphology.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Solvent Impregnated Polymers Loaded with Liquid-Like Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials for Enhanced Kinetics of Direct Air Capture and Point Source CO 2 Capture

Hybrid CO 2 capture materials, solvent impregnated polymers (SIPs), are developed based on a simple and scalable encapsulation technique to enhance CO 2 capture kinetics of water-lean solvents with high viscosity. Liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials functionalized with polyethylenimine (NOHM-I-PEI) are incorporated into a shell material and UV-cured to produce gas-permeable solid sorbents with uniform NOHMs loading (NPEI-SIPs). The CO 2 capture kinetics of NPEI-SIPs show a remarkable 50-fold increase compared to that of neat NOHM-I-PEI due to a large increase in the NOHMs-CO 2 interfacial surface area provided by the SIP design. The optimum NOHM-I-PEI loading and sorption temperature are found to be ≈49 wt% and 50 °C, respectively, and NPEI-SIPs exhibit great thermal stability over 20 CO 2 capture/sorbent regeneration temperature swing cycles. The pseudoequilibrium CO 2 loadings of NPEI-SIPs under humid conditions are as high as 3.1 mmol CO 2 g -1 NPEI - SIPs for 15 vol% CO 2 (postcombustion capture) and 1.7 mmol CO 2 g -1 NPEI - SIPs for 400 ppm (direct air capture). Overall, these findings suggest that NPEI-SIPs can effectively capture CO 2 from a wide range of CO 2 concentrations including direct air capture while allowing the flexible design of CO 2 capture reactors by combining the benefits of liquid solvents and solid sorbents.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Elucidating the assembly of Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials (NOHMs) near an electrode interface with varying potential using Neutron Reflectivity

A critical concern regarding electrolyte formulation in an electrochemical environment is the impact of the interaction of the multiple components (i.e., supporting electrolyte or additive) with the electrode surface. Recently, liquid-like neat Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials (NOHMs) have been considered as an electrolyte component to improve the transport of redox-active species to the electrode surface. However, the structure and assembly of the NOHMs near the electrode surface is unknown and could significantly impact the electrode-electrolyte interface. Hence, we have investigated the depth profile of polyetheramine (HPE) polymer and NOHM-I-HPE (nanoparticles with ionically bonded HPE polymer) in deuterated water (D2O) in the presence of two different salts (KHCO3 and ZnCl2) near two different electrode surfaces using neutron reflectometry. Moreover, the depth profile of the NOHM-I-HPE near the electrode surface in a potential has also been studied with in-situ reflectivity experiments. Our results indicate that a change in the chemical structure/hydrophilicity of the electrode surface does not significantly impact the ordering of HPE polymer or NOHM-I-HPE near the surface. Here, this study also indicates that the NOHM-I-HPE particles form a clear layer near the electrode surface immediately above an adsorbed layer of free polymer on the electrode surface. The addition of salt does not impact the layering of NOHM-I-HPE, though it does alter the conformation of the polymer grafted to the nanoparticle surface and free polymer sequestered near the surface. Finally, the application of negative potential results in an increased amount of free polymer near the electrode surface. Correlating the depth profile of free polymer and NOHM-I-HPE particles with the electrochemical performance indicates that this assembly of free polymer near the electrode surface in NOHM-I-HPE solutions contributes to the higher current density of the system. Therefore, this holistic study offers insight into the importance of the assembly of NOHM-I-HPE electrolyte and free polymer near the electrode surface in an electrochemical milieu on its performance.

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

Next Generation Fiber-Encapsulated Nanoscale Hybrid Materials for Direct Air Capture with Selective Water Rejection

Recently, NOHMs sorbents have been demonstrated to be highly stable and tunable for CO2 capture and have negligible vapor pressure, but their main drawbacks are high viscosity and high gas transfer limitation in their neat bulk phase. This project explored gas-assisted electrospinning processing coupled with promising encapsulation matrices such as Polymers with Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM-1) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/organopolysilizane (OPSZ) polymer/ceramic hybrid materials, which were demonstrated to be effective novel carriers for the active NOHMs sorbents. These encapsulation materials were evaluated by their thermal stability, hydrophobicity, permeability, and CO2 selectivity. The manufacturing parameters such as component composition and processing solvent were linked to bulk sorbent properties, e.g., surface area, pore volume, fiber thickness, capture capacity, capture kinetics, etc. These investigations resulted in fundamental knowledge and technical know-how that will be useful for scaling up the nanofiber mat contactor design. The encapsulation materials and design has been shown to not only increase the thermal oxidative stability of the NOHMs, but also yield significantly reduced pressure drop and increased performance of large modular air filters. 70 PAN: 30 OPSZ/NIPEI fibers exhibited the highest capture performance with 1.5 mmol CO2/g∙h kinetics the first hour under 100% CO2 condition, followed by 80 PAN: 20 OPSZ/NIPEI and 90 PAN: 10 OPSZ/NIPEI, while 90 PAN: 10 OPSZ/NIPEI fibers performed the best with 0.25 mmol CO2/g∙h of the initial kinetics under 400 ppm CO2 concentration. All the fabricated fibers demonstrated stable capture performances up to 15 cycles of adsorption and desorption. Using encapsulated NOHMs, the study found that the microwave could help regenerate the capture materials within 20 minutes without chemically degrading the materials. A high-level TEA/LCA study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of this technology at scale. These estimates show that the sorbent cost and environmental impact levels are comparable to other existing technologies. Overall, these findings increase the technological feasibility of using liquid-like, low vapor pressure NOHMs as a next generation sorbent for the direct air capture of CO2.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Plasmonic sensors based on graphene and graphene hybrid materials

Abstract The past decade has witnessed a rapid growth of graphene plasmonics and their applications in different fields. Compared with conventional plasmonic materials, graphene enables highly confined plasmons with much longer lifetimes. Moreover, graphene plasmons work in an extended wavelength range, i.e., mid-infrared and terahertz regime, overlapping with the fingerprints of most organic and biomolecules, and have broadened their applications towards plasmonic biological and chemical sensors. In this review, we discuss intrinsic plasmonic properties of graphene and strategies both for tuning graphene plasmons as well as achieving higher performance by integrating graphene with plasmonic nanostructures. Next, we survey applications of graphene and graphene-hybrid materials in biosensors, chemical sensors, optical sensors, and sensors in other fields. Lastly, we conclude this review by providing a brief outlook and challenges of the field. Through this review, we aim to provide an overall picture of graphene plasmonic sensing and to suggest future trends of development of graphene plasmonics.

Zhang, Zhichao↗
DOE OSTI2025

From Structured Solvents to Hybrid Materials (SS2HM) for Chemically Selective Capture and Electromagnetic Release of CO 2 : Mechanisms, Stability and Interfaces (Final Report)

The goal of this research program was to develop high capacity sorbents amenable for alternative regeneration approaches for direct air capture (DAC) of CO 2 . In particular, the research aimed to develop an understanding of CO 2 binding mechanism, thermal and oxidative stability, and regeneration energetics of functionalized ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs), and porous materials. ILs and DESs are high-dielectric solvents with structural tunability that permits the rational-design for energy-efficient regeneration approaches based on electromagnetic (EM) field and moisture-swing. By further incorporating these solvents into polymeric capsules and other structural supports, multi-scale interfaces for targeted CO 2 and energy transfers were achieved. Aspects related to CO 2 capacity, selectivity, stability, dielectric properties, and binding energies were examined through experimental and computational design to identify molecular descriptors to inform future design of structured solvents and hybrid materials for DAC. Enclosed final report details the key findings, science advancements, and workforce development efforts from this project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

MOF-Polymer Hybrid Materials: From Simple Composites to Tailored Architectures

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are inherently crystalline, brittle porous solids. Conversely, polymers are flexible, malleable, and processable solids that are used for a broad range of commonly used technologies. The stark differences between the nature of MOFs and polymers has motivated efforts to hybridize crystalline MOFs and flexible polymers to produce composites that retain the desired properties of these disparate materials. Importantly, studies have shown that MOFs can be used to influence polymer structure, and polymers can be used to modulate MOF growth and characteristics. In this Review, we highlight the development and recent advances in the synthesis of MOF-polymer mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) and applications of these MMMs in gas and liquid separations and purifications, including aqueous applications such as dye removal, toxic heavy metal sequestration, and desalination. Other elegant ways of synthesizing MOF-polymer hybrid materials, such as grafting polymers to and from MOFs, polymerization of polymers within MOFs, using polymers to template MOFs, and the bottom-up synthesis of polyMOFs and polyMOPs are also discussed. Furthermore, this review highlights recent papers in the advancement of MOF-polymer hybrid materials, as well as seminal reports that significantly advanced the field.

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

PbE (E = S, Se) Colloidal Quantum Dot-Layered 2D Material Hybrid Photodetectors

Hybrid lead chalcogenide (PbE) (E = S, Se) quantum dot (QD)-layered 2D systems are an emerging class of photodetectors with unique potential to expand the range of current technologies and easily integrate into current complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible architectures. Herein, we review recent advancements in hybrid PbE QD-layered 2D photodetectors and place them in the context of key findings from studies of charge transport in layered 2D materials and QD films that provide lessons to be applied to the hybrid system. Photodetectors utilizing a range of layered 2D materials including graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides sensitized with PbE QDs in various device architectures are presented. Figures of merit such as responsivity (R) and detectivity (D*) are reviewed for a multitude of devices in order to compare detector performance. Finally, a look to the future considers possible avenues for future device development, including potential new materials and device treatment/fabrication options.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Cellulose-MOFs hybrid materials: Chemistry and mechanism of applications in biomedical - A review

Rising costs and performance limits of modern biomedical materials motivate the search for advanced, biocompatible alternatives. Cellulose-based metal-organic frameworks (cellulose-MOFs) emerge as distinctive hybrids combining renewable polymer chemistry with tunable porous architectures, enabling uncommon structure–function relationships. Their large surface area, controllable pore size, adaptable functional groups, and efficient host–guest interactions underpin diverse biomedical functions. Till now, no comprehensive, application-focused review has systematically summarized cellulose-MOFs synthesis for biomedical applications. This review critically analyzes cellulose-MOFs, emphasizing mechanistic links between chemistry, synthesis routes, interfacial interactions, and biomedical performance, rather than cataloging applications alone. Antibacterial action, targeted drug delivery, and sensing/biosensing are discussed through comparative insights. The article identifies unresolved challenges and proposes future research pathways to rationally design next-generation cellulose-MOFs systems, guiding researchers and clinicians alike.

Biomedical↗
NASA NTRS2014

High Sensitivity Stress Sensor Based on Hybrid Materials

A sensing device is used to detect the spatial distributions of stresses applied by physical contact with the surface of the sensor or induced by pressure, temperature gradients, and surface absorption. The sensor comprises a hybrid active layer that includes luminophores doped in a polymeric or organic host, altogether embedded in a matrix. Under an electrical bias, the sensor simultaneously converts stresses into electrical and optical signals. Among many applications, the device may be used for tactile sensing and biometric imaging.

Cao, Xian-An↗
NASA NTRS2007

Modeling and Analysis of Facility Systems for A Hybrid Materials Test Program

Analytic modeling and analysis processes employed at NASA-SSC in rocket propulsion systems testing are discussed in this paper with application to test facility propellant supply system design, activation and test of a hybrid rocket motor provided. This paper discusses the analytic model employed, its utilization across project phases and reviews performance results.

Congiardo, Jared F.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Orbital Engineering Mediated by Cation Conjugation in Luminescent Uranyl–Organic Hybrid Materials

A series of compounds of the form [HAr]2[UO2X4] is reported here, wherein Ar is systematically varied between pyridine (1-X), quinoline (2-X), acridine (3-X), 2,5-dimethylpyrazine (4-X), quinoxaline (5-X), and phenazine (6-X), and X = Cl or Br. With greater conjugation in the organic cation, a larger quenching in uranyl luminescence is observed in the solid state. Supporting our luminescence experiments with computation, we map out the potential energy diagrams for the singlet and triplet states of both the [HAr]+ cations and [UO2Cl4]2– anion in the crystalline state, and of the assembly. The distinct energy transfer pathways in each compound are discussed.

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

Ionic Thermoelectric Generators in Vertical and Planar Topologies Based on Fluorinated Polymer Hybrid Materials with Ionic Liquids

Abstract Ionic thermoelectrics (TEs), in which voltage generation is based on ion migration, are suitable for applications based on their low cost, high flexibility, high ionic conductivity, and wide range of Seebeck coefficients. This work reports on the development of ionic TE materials based on the poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene), Poly(VDF‐co‐TrFE), as host polymer blended with different contents of the ionic liquid, IL, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [EMIM][TFSI]. The morphology, physico‐chemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the samples are evaluated together with the TE response. It is demonstrated that the IL acts as a nucleating agent for polymer crystallization. The mechanical properties and ionic conductivity values are dependent on the IL content. A high room temperature ionic conductivity of 0.008 S cm −1 is obtained for the sample with 60 wt% of [EMIM][TFSI] IL. The TE properties depend on both IL content and device topology‐vertical or planar‐the largest generated voltage range being obtained for the planar topology and the sample with 10 wt% of IL content, characterized by a Seebeck coefficient of 1.2 mV K −1 . Based on the obtained maximum power density of 4.9 µW m −2 , these materials are suitable for a new generation of TE devices.

Pereira, Nelson↗
DOE OSTI2021

Reconfiguration of Amorphous Complex Oxides: A Route to a Broad Range of Assembly Phenomena, Hybrid Materials, and Novel Functionalities

This work demonstrate that reconfiguration of amorphous oxide layers drives the assembly of oxide-based and freestanding nanomembranes into 3D structures with a radius of a few hundred nanometers. Reconfiguration-driven assembly is a versatile approach to impart large strains and strain gradients in a broad palette of complex oxides. This capability allows for manipulating and enhancing ferroelectricity, flexoelectricity, piezoelectricity, superconductivity, and ferromagnetism in complex oxides. Moreover, by the approach presented in this work, strain-engineered oxides are obtained in the form of 3D structures that can be fabricated in parallel on any substrate, including large-area and single crystalline semiconductor substrates. This approach will create a vast expanse of possibilities to investigate and leverage strain-tunable effects in amorphous, poly-crystalline, and single-crystalline complex oxides. Reconfiguration-driven assembly of NMs also allows combining different materials in a radial geometry and through scalable processes. For example, radial superlattices of Si (or GaAs) and various complex oxides or alternating layers of different complex oxides (e.g., SrTiO 3 and LaAlO 3 ) could be fabricated by release and heating of bilayer NMs. Here, a broad palette of electronic band structures and spin–orbit interactions could then be obtained by tailoring the curvature of the self-assembled NMs and the materials that the heterostructure comprises.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗