Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “ionic characterization”

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

Characterization of Multi-Material Interfaces Within Fibrous Structures (CRADA Final Report)

This project aimed to characterize the electrical, ionic, and thermal material properties of printed materials onto various textile and leather substrates. Furthermore, the material interfaces were investigated as well via characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, and FTIR for example. Results from these studies will be utilized to properly formulate and tune process variables for enhancing the durability of devices and mitigate risks during commercial scale manufacturing studies of interest to Funxion’s product development.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structural characterization of sugarcane lignins extracted from different protic ionic liquid pretreatments

Previous studies based on protic ionic liquids have shown them to be effective for extracting lignins from biomass. Moreover, ILs synthesized with amine cations can promote the insertion of nitrogen into lignin, favoring its valorization for industrial applications. Here, lignins extracted from sugarcane bagasse by eight different PILs were analyzed. Several techniques of characterization were employed (2D HSQC NMR, 31P NMR, GPC, Py-GC/MS, TGA, FTIR, and elemental analysis), seeking a deeper understanding of lignin structure post-PILS treatment. In particular, lignin obtained with acetate and lactate anions with monoethanolamonium cations showed similar structural compositions. Lignins obtained from ethylenediamonium cation combined anions acetate and lactate exhibited relatively higher molecular weights compared to the other lignins studied. The elemental analysis of these lignins further revealed the presence of nitrogen in their structures, suggesting that amination occurred. In this work we used PILs not yet reported in the literature for this purpose, and consequently obtained lignins with specific structures. Overall, our results demonstrated that depending on the PILs used, lignins with distinct properties could be obtained which might be used for value-added applications. This work covered new advances in elucidation of lignin chemical structure and opened a new path for lignin valorization.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The “good,” the “bad,” and the “hidden” in neutron scattering and molecular dynamics of ionic aqueous solutions

We characterize a concentrated 7.3 m CaCl 2 solution, combining neutron diffraction with chloride isotopic substitution (Cl-NDIS) in null water and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We elucidate the solution structure, thermodynamic properties, and extent of ion pairing previously suggested as concentration-dependent and often not observed at lower concentrations. Our Cl-NDIS measurements designate the solvent-shared ion pairing as dominant and the contact ion pairing (CIP) as insignificant even under conditions close to the solubility limit. The MD models parameterized against neutron diffraction with calcium isotopic substitution (Ca-NDIS) overestimate CIP despite successfully reproducing most of the Cl-NDIS signal. This drawback originates from the fact that Ca 2+ –Cl - interactions were primarily “hidden” in the Ca-NDIS signal due to overlapping with Ca 2+ –O w and Ca 2+ –H w contributions to the total scattering. Contrary, MD models with moderate CIP and possessing generally good performance at high concentrations fail to reproduce the NDIS measurements accurately. Therefore, the electronic polarization, introduced in most of the recent MD models via scaling ionic charges, resolves some but not all parameterization drawbacks. We conclude that despite improving the quality of MD models “on average,” the question “which model is the best” has not been answered but replaced by the question “which model is better for a given research.” An overall “good” model can still be inappropriate or, in some instances, “bad” and, unfortunately, produce erroneous results. Additionally, the accurate interpretation of several NDIS datasets, complemented by MD simulations, can prevent such mistakes and help identify the strengths, weaknesses, and convenient applications for corresponding computational models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Global Magneto-ionic Medium Survey: A Faraday Depth Survey of the Northern Sky Covering 1280–1750 MHz

The Galactic interstellar medium hosts a significant magnetic field, which can be probed through the synchrotron emission produced from its interaction with relativistic electrons. Linearly polarized synchrotron emission is generated throughout the Galaxy and, at longer wavelengths, modified along nearly every path by Faraday rotation in the intervening magneto-ionic medium. Full characterization of the polarized emission requires wideband observations with many frequency channels. We have surveyed polarized radio emission from the Northern sky over the range 1280–1750 MHz, with channel width 236.8 kHz, using the John A. Galt Telescope (diameter 25.6 m) at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, as part of the Global Magneto-Ionic Medium Survey. The survey covered 72% of the sky, decl. −30° to +87° at all R.A. The intensity scale was absolutely calibrated, based on the flux density and spectral index of Cygnus A. Polarization angle was calibrated using the extended polarized emission of the Fan Region. Data are presented as brightness temperatures with angular resolution 40′. Sensitivity in Stokes Q and U is 45 mK rms in a 1.18 MHz band. We have applied rotation measure synthesis to the data to obtain a Faraday depth cube of resolution 150 rad m{sup −2} and sensitivity 3 mK rms of polarized intensity. Features in Faraday depth up to a width of 110 rad m{sup −2} are represented. The maximum detectable Faraday depth is ±2 × 10{sup 4} rad m{sup −2}. The survey data are available at the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Main and Satellite Features in the Ni 2p XPS of NiO

The origin and assignment of the complex main and satellite XPS features of the cations in ionic compounds has been the subject of extensive theoretical studies using different methods. There is agreement that within a molecular orbital model one needs to take into account different types of configurations. Specifically, those where a core electron is removed but no other configuration changes are made and those where in addition to ionization there are also shake or charge transfer changes to the ionic configuration. However, there are strong disagreements about the assignment of XPS features to these configurations. The present work is directed toward resolving the origin of main and satellite features for the Ni 2p XPS of NiO based on ab initio molecular orbital wavefunctions for a cluster model of NiO. A major problem in earlier ab initio XPS studies of ionic compounds has been the use of a common set of orbitals that was not able to properly describe all the ionic configurations that contribute to the full XPS spectra. This is resolved in the present work by using orbitals that are optimized for averages of the occupations of the different configurations that contribute to the XPS. The approach of using State Averaged orbitals is validated through comparisons between different averages and through use of higher order excitations in the wavefunctions for the ionic states. It represents a major extension of our earlier work on the main and satellite features of the Fe 2p XPS of Fe 2 O 3 and proves the reliability and the generality of the assignments of the character and origin of the different features of the XPS obtained with orbitals optimized for State Averages. These molecular orbital methods permit the characterization of the ionic states in terms of the importance of shake excitations and of the coupling of ionization of 2p 1/2 and 2p 3/2 spin-orbit split sub shells. Further, the work lays the foundation for definitive assignments of the character of main and satellite XPS features and points to their origin in the electronic structure of the material.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electrolyte Solvation and Ionic Association: Part IX. Structures and Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of LiFSI Solvates

The bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide anion N(SO 2 F) 2 ⁻ (i.e., FSI⁻) (also referred to as bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (i.e., FSA-) and imidodi(sulphuryl fluoride)) has attracted tremendous interest in recent years for its utility in both lithium salts and ionic liquids for battery electrolyte applications. To facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of this anion, crystal structures are reported here for the uncoordinated anion in LiFSI-based solvates with cryptand CRYPT-222 and tetraglyme (G4). These crystalline solvates were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy to aid in assigning the Raman bands to the modes of ion coordination found in liquid electrolytes. These structures, as well as a thorough review of other relevant crystallographic data, provide insights into the rather remarkable properties of the FSI- anion with regard to solvate formation and electrolyte properties.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Medium-Range Ordering in the Ionic Glass Electrolytes LiPON and LiSiPON

In this work, we provide an in-depth structural characterization of the amorphous ionic glasses LiPON and LiSiPON with high Li content. Based on ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, the structure of these materials is an inverted structure with either isolated polyanion tetrahedra or polyanion dimers in a Li+ matrix. Based on neutron scattering data, this type of inverted structure leads to a significant amount of medium-range ordering in the structure, as demonstrated by two sharp diffraction peaks and a periodic structural oscillation in the density function G(r). While this medium-range ordering is commonly observed in liquids and metallic glasses, it has not previously been observed in oxides. On a local scale, adding N and Si increases the number of anion bridges and polyanion dimer structures, leading to higher ionic conductivity. In the medium-range ordering, the addition of Si leads to more disorder in the polyanion substructure but a significant increase in the ordering of the O substructure. Finally, we demonstrate that this inverted structure with medium-range ordering results in a glassy material that is both mechanically stiff and ductile on the nanoscale.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Impact of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) on the Sorption of Nd(III), Th{sup (IV)}, and U(VI) onto Dolomite in WIPP-Relevant Brines, GWB and ERDA-6 - 20356

Storage of legacy, transuranic waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) requires accurate risk models for performance assessments. These models must predict the long-term fate and transport of contaminants in the WIPP and surrounding environment. Laboratory support is necessary for the development of an accurate model through better understanding of contaminant behavior in the WIPP. The WIPP is a deep geologic repository that is characterized by high ionic strength due to evaporite deposits in the Salado formation (porewaters up to 7.4 M). High concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl{sub 2}), and magnesium chloride (MgCl{sub 2}) are particularly of concern due to their potential impact on solubility and ultimately transport of contaminants of concern. Additionally, ligands capable of forming strong complexes with metals are found in significant concentrations in the WIPP environment due to their disposal from waste processing and formation during degradation of repository components (e.g. cellulose degradation by calcium hydroxide in cement). Consequently, there is a need to investigate the fate and transport of contaminants in the WIPP environment with a focus on the effects of high ionic strength and strongly coordinating ligands. Contaminants of high concern include the actinides (U(VI), Pu(IV), and Am(III)). Laboratory support of the WIPP modeling efforts was provided by this research. A series of batch experiments were utilized to study the impact of ionic strength, contaminant concentration, and the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the sorption of Nd(III), Th(IV), and U(VI) onto dolomite, a carbonate mineral found within the Culebra formation. The Culebra formation is the most transmissive layer above the WIPP, making transport of contaminants the most likely route in previous risk assessments. Two brines specifically designed to imitate conditions within the WIPP environment were used in these experiments. The U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration Well 6 (ERDA-6, 95%) brine simulates a low Mg environment, while the generic weep brine (GWB, 95%) simulates the WIPP environment with a high Mg concentration. Mg is added to the repository in the form of MgO as an engineered barrier and is naturally present in some formations. It is expected to scavenge carbonate from solutions decreasing formation of the highly soluble and competitive uranium-carbonate complexes. EDTA is used during manipulations of nuclear materials due to its ability to form strong, stable complexes with the actinides and may be found in high concentrations (up to 0.08 mM) within the WIPP as waste canisters degrade. Further, it may provide additional avenues for unwanted transport of contaminants. Nd(III) and Th(IV) were used as stable analogues of Am(III) and Pu(IV), respectively, to represent the most common oxidation states of actinides in the WIPP environment in addition to U(VI). The potential for colloid formation was also investigated with low and high concentrations of contaminants (10 and 1000 μg/L) using three size-dependent particle separation steps. The results of this research provide a better understanding of potential behavior of actinides in the presence of EDTA and within WIPP-relevant brines. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Characterizing Olefin Selectivity and Stability of Silver Salts in Ionic Liquids Using Inverse Gas Chromatography

Separation systems utilizing silver(I) ion-olefin complexation have limitations since silver(I) ions can be poisoned or reduced to metallic silver. Ionic liquids (ILs) are used as solvents for silver(I) ions to facilitate separations since their physico-chemical properties can be easily tuned. To develop separation systems with sustainable olefin selectivity, factors that affect silver(I) ion stability need to be understood. In this study, a total of 13 silver salt/IL mixtures were examined by inverse gas chromatography to identify the effects of silver salt anion and IL cation/anion combination on silver(I) ion stability. The effects of temperature and three different exposure gases on silver(I) ion stability were systematically studied. Exposing silver salt/IL mixtures to hydrogen at high temperatures had a greater effect on decreasing silver(I) ion-olefin complexation. Silver(I) ions from the silver bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide ([NTf 2 – ]) salt were more stable in [NTf 2 – ]-containing ILs than in [BF 4 – ]-containing ILs. Optimum mixtures exhibited high olefin selectivity and were stable beyond 90 h when exposed to hydrogen gas.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Whole-organism 3D quantitative characterization of zebrafish melanin by silver deposition micro-CT

We previously described X-ray histotomography, a high-resolution, non-destructive form of X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) imaging customized for three-dimensional (3D), digital histology, allowing quantitative, volumetric tissue and organismal phenotyping (Ding et al., 2019). Here, we have combined micro-CT with a novel application of ionic silver staining to characterize melanin distribution in whole zebrafish larvae. The resulting images enabled whole-body, computational analyses of regional melanin content and morphology. Normalized micro-CT reconstructions of silver-stained fish consistently reproduced pigment patterns seen by light microscopy, and further allowed direct quantitative comparisons of melanin content across wild-type and mutant samples, including subtle phenotypes not previously noticed. Silver staining of melanin for micro-CT provides proof-of-principle for whole-body, 3D computational phenomic analysis of a specific cell type at cellular resolution, with potential applications in other model organisms and melanocytic neoplasms. Advances such as this in whole-organism, high-resolution phenotyping provide superior context for studying the phenotypic effects of genetic, disease, and environmental variables.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Global expression for representing cohesive-energy curves. II

Schlosser et al. (1991) showed that the R dependence of the cohesive energy of partially ionic solids may be characterized by a two-term energy relationship consisting of a Coulomb term arising from the charge transfer, delta-Z, and a scaled universal energy function, E*(a *), which accounts for the partially covalent character of the bond and for repulsion between the atomic cores for small R; a* is a scaled length. In the paper by Schlosser et al., the normalized cohesive-energy curves of NaCl-structure alkali-halide crystals were generated with this expression. In this paper we generate the cohesive-energy curves of several families of partially ionic solids with different crystal structures and differing degrees of ionicity. These include the CsCl-structure Cs halides, and the Tl and Ag halides, which have weaker ionic bonding than the alkali halides, and which have the CsCl and NaCl structures, respectively. The cohesive-energy-curve parameters are then used to generate theoretical isothermal compression curves for the Li, Na, K, Cs, and Ag halides. We find good agreement with the available experimental compression data.

Schlosser, Herbert↗

Bulk and Short-Circuit Anion Diffusion in Epitaxial Fe 2 O 3 Films Quantified Using Buried Isotopic Tracer Layers

Self-diffusion is a fundamental physical process that, in solid materials, is intimately correlated with both microstructure and functional properties. In this work, a universal approach is presented to precisely characterize self-diffusion in ionic solids by isotopically enriching anions and/or cations at specific locations within an epitaxial film stack, and characterize their redistribution at high spatial resolution with atom probe tomography. Nanoscale anion diffusivity is quantified in epitaxial α-Fe 2 O 3 thin films deposited by molecular beam epitaxy with a thin (10 nm) buried layer highly enriched in 18 O. The isotopic sensitivity of the atom probe allows precise measurement of 18 O distribution across the sharp interfaces between this layer and the surrounding Fe 2 O 3 after annealing. Short-circuit anion diffusion through 1D and 2D structural defects in Fe 2 O 3 are also directly visualized in 3D. This versatile approach to study precisely tailored thin film samples at high spatial and mass fidelity will facilitate a deeper understanding of atomic-scale diffusion phenomena.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A New Family of Ternary Intermetallic Compounds with Dualistic Atomic Ordering – The ZIP Phases

A new family of nanostructured ternary intermetallic compounds − named the ZIP phases − is introduced in this work. The ZIP phases exhibit dualistic atomic ordering, i.e., they form two structural variants: one with the fcc diamond cubic structure (space group Fd$\bar{3}$m) and one with the hexagonal structure (space group P6 3 /mmc). They are also characterized by metallic behavior, ionic bonding, and atomic zigzagging. Powder metallurgical routes involving pressure-assisted densification are adopted to demonstrate ZIP phase synthesis in the Nb-Si-Ni, Nb-Si-Co, Ta-Si-Ni, V-Si-Ni, and Nb-Si-Fe ternary systems. Crucially, reactive hot pressing is capable of producing high-purity ZIP phase materials after the judicious, elemental system-specific optimization of the processing route. Synthesis of phase-pure materials – demonstrated in the Nb-Si-Ni ternary system by the synthesis of quasi phase-pure Nb 3 SiNi 2 and Ni 3 SiNb 2 ZIP phase-based materials – is a steppingstone to the prospective exploitation of the ZIP phases. Characterization of Nb 3 SiNi 2 and Ni 3 SiNb 2 involves crystal structure determination, spatially resolved chemical analysis, and determination of select thermal, electrical, magnetic, mechanical, and physical properties. Density functional theory is used to assess the stability of Nb 3 SiNi 2 & Ni 3 SiNb 2 and derivative binary compounds at different temperatures, also exploring the exfoliation of these two ZIP phases along specific surfaces to produce 2D derivatives.

Intermetallic compounds (IMCs)↗

High-Pressure Equation of State for Partially Ionic Solids

Recently, we showed that the cohesive energy of partially ionic solids may be characterized by a two-term energy relationship consisting of a Coulomb term arising from the valence-charge transfer delta Z between the atoms, and a scaled universal energy function E(sup *)(a(sup *)), which accounts for the partially covalent character of the bond and for the repulsion between the atomic cores for small R; a(sup *) is a scaled length. Normalized cohesive-energy curves of alkali halide crystals and of Ti and Ag halide crystals were obtained, and the cohesive-energy-curve parameters were used to generate theoretical equation-of-state (EOS) curves for the Li, Na, K, Cs, and Ag halides. Good agreement was obtained with the experimental isothermal compression curves over a wide pressure range (0-90 kbar). In this paper we verify that the cohesive-energy relationship is valid for divalent partially ionic solids; physically reasonable charge-transfer values (1.80 less than delta Z less than 2.0) are obtained for MgO, CaO, and CaS. Next, EOS curves for LiF, NaF, Nal, CsCl, Csl, MgO, CaO, and CaS are generated in terms of the cohesive-energy parameters. These EOS's yield excellent fits to experimental isothermal-compression data and to shock-wave data to very high pressures (P(sub max)= 250-1350 kbar).

Schlosser, Herbert↗

Molten salt electrolysis and room temperature ionic liquid electrochemical processes for refining rare earth metals: Environmental and economic performance comparison

Circularizing end of life products such as electronic waste can open a new source for rare earth elements (REEs) that will decrease the demand pressure on conventional virgin production. The last step to produce REEs consists of a refining process to convert rare earth oxide (REO) to REE metal. One promising technology is processing REO via a room temperature ionic liquid, which is characterized by low energy requirements in contrast to existing REEs extraction processes. In this work, life cycle and techno-economic assessments are performed and compared against molten salt electrolysis. Here, the results show that both processes have advantages and disadvantages in terms of environmental performance, and that they are similarly competitive in terms of economic performance. A breakeven analysis suggests that future research should focus on coupling the production of REOs with the refining processes to attempt to lower REO cost and make them economically feasible in the U.S.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Genomics Characterization of an Engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum in Bioreactor Cultivation Under Ionic Liquid Stress

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an ideal microbial chassis for production of valuable bioproducts including amino acids and next generation biofuels. Here we resequence engineered isopentenol (IP) producing C. glutamicum BRC-JBEI 1.1.2 strain and assess differential transcriptional profiles using RNA sequencing under industrially relevant conditions including scale transition and compare the presence vs absence of an ionic liquid, cholinium lysinate ([Ch][Lys]). Analysis of the scale transition from shake flask to bioreactor with transcriptomics identified a distinct pattern of metabolic and regulatory responses needed for growth in this industrial format. These differential changes in gene expression corroborate altered accumulation of organic acids and bioproducts, including succinate, acetate, and acetoin that occur when cells are grown in the presence of 50 mM [Ch][Lys] in the stirred-tank reactor. This new genome assembly and differential expression analysis of cells grown in a stirred tank bioreactor clarify the cell response of an C. glutamicum strain engineered to produce IP.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗