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At least 37 records · Page 2

Lanthanum induced lattice strain improves hydrogen sulfide capacities of copper oxide adsorbents

This work probes the effects of La on reactions involving CuO sorbents and H 2 S in gaseous streams. La-CuO sorbents with nominal La/Cu atomic ratios of 1:2 achieved higher capacities (27 and 36 g H 2 S per 100 g sorbent) compared to CuO sorbents (25 g H 2 S per 100 g sorbent). Here, comparison of the La-CuO sorbents using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and La L 3 -edge XAS suggested that increased capacity resulted from more uniform dispersion of La within the CuO phase (3.3 wt.% vs. 1.0 wt.% La). X-Ray absorption near edge structure analysis suggested more electron-rich Cu species in La-CuO samples, while extended X-ray absorption fine structure modeling showed an increase in single-scattering path lengths for neighboring and near-neighbor atoms. These changes suggest that La induces strain in the Cu-O lattice, thereby increasing H 2 S capacity by reducing energy barriers associated with surface reactions between oxygen atoms and adsorbed H 2 S molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Residual lattice strain in quartzites as a potential palaeo-piezometer

SUMMARY If a crystal lattice is subjected to a stress, it becomes distorted and no longer represents the ideal crystal symmetry, and if the stress introduces defects such as dislocations, some of this distortion is preserved after the applied stress is removed. In this study, we investigate lattice distortion in quartz at the micron scale with synchrotron X-ray Laue diffraction. From Laue images the local deviatoric strain tensor is derived and corresponding stresses are calculated based on elastic properties. The method is applied to metasedimentary quartzites from the Bergell Alps that were deformed at conditions of greenschist facies metamorphism. The residual palaeostrain is represented in maps of the deviatoric strain tensor components and with deviatoric strain axis pole figures. Data suggest overall shortening perpendicular to the schistosity plane but with considerable asymmetry relative to foliation and lineation, probably attributed to simple shear. Crystallographic pole figures from Laue diffraction agree with neutron diffraction and EBSD measurements and display quartz c-axes girdle distributions with maxima also perpendicular to schistosity. The method shows promise to be used as a palaeo-piezometer to unravel the stress field during tectonic deformation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Nanoscale lattice strains in self-ion implanted tungsten

Developing a comprehensive understanding of the modification of material properties by neutron irradiation is important for the design of future fission and fusion power reactors. Self-ion implantation is commonly used to mimic neutron irradiation damage, however an interesting question concerns the effect of ion energy on the resulting damage structures. The reduction in the thickness of the implanted layer as the implantation energy is reduced results in the significant quandary: Does one attempt to match the primary knock-on atom energy produced during neutron irradiation or implant at a much higher energy, such that a thicker damage layer is produced? In this work, we address this question by measuring the full strain tensor for two ion implantation energies, 2 MeV and 20 MeV in self-ion implanted tungsten, a critical material for the first wall and divertor of fusion reactors. A comparison of 2 MeV and 20 MeV implanted samples is shown to result in similar lattice swelling. Multi-reflection Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (MBCDI) shows that implantation induced strain is in fact heterogeneous at the nanoscale, suggesting that there is a non-uniform distribution of defects, an observation that is not fully captured by micro-beam Laue diffraction. At the surface, MBCDI and high-resolution electron back-scattered diffraction (HR-EBSD) strain measurements agree quite well in terms of this clustering/non-uniformity of the strain distribution. However, MBCDI reveals that the heterogeneity at greater depths in the sample is much larger than at the surface. This combination of techniques provides a powerful method for detailed investigation of the microstructural damage caused by ion bombardment, and more generally of strain related phenomena in micro-volumes that are inaccessible via any other technique.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Linking Lattice Strain and Fractal Dimensions to Non‐monotonic Volume Changes in Irradiated Nuclear Graphite

Graphite's resilience to high temperatures and neutron damage makes it vital for nuclear reactors, yet irradiation alters its microstructure, degrading key properties. We used small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering to study neutron-irradiated fine-grain nuclear graphite (Grade G347A) across varied temperatures and fluences. Results show significant shifts in internal strain and porosity, correlating with radiation-induced volume changes. Notably, porosity volume distribution (fractal dimensions) follows non-monotonic volume changes, suggesting a link to the Weibull distribution of fracture stress.

X-ray scattering↗

Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging for In Situ Studies in Electrocatalysis

Electrocatalysis is at the heart of a broad range of physicochemical applications that play an important role in the present and future of a sustainable economy. Among the myriad of different electrocatalysts used in this field, nanomaterials are of ubiquitous importance. An increased surface area/volume ratio compared to bulk makes nanoscale catalysts the preferred choice to perform electrocatalytic reactions. Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) was introduced in 2006 and since has been applied to obtain 3D images of crystalline nanomaterials. BCDI provides information about the displacement field, which is directly related to strain. Lattice strain in the catalysts impacts their electronic configuration and, consequently, their binding energy with reaction intermediates. Even though there have been significant improvements since its birth, the fact that the experiments can only be performed at synchrotron facilities and its relatively low resolution to date (~10 nm spatial resolution) have prevented the popularization of this technique. Herein, we will briefly describe the fundamentals of the technique, including the electrocatalysis relevant information that we can extract from it. Subsequently, we review some of the computational experiments that complement the BCDI data for enhanced information extraction and improved understanding of the underlying nanoscale electrocatalytic processes. We next highlight success stories of BCDI applied to different electrochemical systems and in heterogeneous catalysis to show how the technique can contribute to future studies in electrocatalysis. Finally, we outline current challenges in spatiotemporal resolution limits of BCDI and provide our perspectives on recent developments in synchrotron facilities as well as the role of machine learning and artificial intelligence in addressing them.

bragg coherent diffraction imaging↗

Tuning superconductivity and spin-vortex instabilities in CaKFe 4 As 4 through in-plane antisymmetric strains

Lattice strains of appropriate symmetry have served as an excellent tool to explore the interaction of superconductivity in the iron-based superconductors with orthorhombic-nematic and stripe spin-density-wave (SSDW) order. In this Letter, we contribute to a broader understanding of the coupling of strain to superconductivity and competing normal-state orders by studying CaKFe 4 As 4 under large, in-plane strains of B 1 g and B 2 g symmetry. In contrast to the majority of iron-based superconductors, pure CaKFe 4 As 4 exhibits superconductivity with a relatively high transition temperature of T c ∼ 35 K in proximity of a noncollinear, tetragonal, hedgehog spin-vortex crystal (SVC) order. Through experiments and calculations, we demonstrate an anisotropic in-plane strain response of T c and the favored SVC configuration in CaKFe 4 As 4 . This supports a scenario, in which the change in spin fluctuations dominates the strain response of superconducting T c . Overall, by suggesting moderate B 2 g strains as an effective parameter to change the stability of SVC and SSDW, we outline a pathway to a unified phase diagram of iron-based superconductivity. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Comparison of three state-of-the-art crystal plasticity based deformation twinning models for magnesium alloys

In magnesium alloys, deformation twinning and its interactions with dislocation slip are responsible for a sigmoidal shape stress–strain behavior and an asymmetrical tension–compression yield strength in magnesium alloys. The sensitivity of twinning to the underlying microstructure renders the crystal plasticity method the most commonly adopted modeling approach for magnesium-twinning. This paper compares three state-of-the-art crystal plasticity-based twinning models from the literature, namely the elastic-viscoplastic self-consistent twinning-detwinning (EVPSC-TDT) model, crystal plasticity finite element model based on enhanced predominate twin reorientation approach (CPFE-ePTR), and the crystal plasticity finite element model based on “discrete twinning” approach (CPFE-DT). A polycrystalline microstructure is simulated with all three methods to compare the resulting stress–strain curves and lattice strains to those from the experimentally measured data. All three methods showed the capability of capturing the experimental results with different levels of accuracy. Additionally, the EVPSC-TDT method avoids solving the finite element matrices and showed the highest computational efficiency. The CPFE-ePTR model shows a higher accuracy in capturing the lattice strain. The CPFE-DT relies on high-resolution finite element mesh and is much slower than the other two methods, but it captured the local deformation concentration and stress reversal phenomena near the twin band, which was not possible with the other two methods. Based on the comparison, guidance for the selection of the appropriate model based on the specific modeling target is provided in this paper.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The Role of SnO2 Processing on Ionic Distribution in Double-Cation-Double Halide Perovskites

Moving toward a future of efficient, accessible, and less carbon-reliant energy devices has been at the forefront of energy research innovations for the past 30 years. Metal-halide perovskite (MHP) thin films have gained significant attention due to their flexibility of device applications and tunable capabilities for improving power conversion efficiency. Serving as a gateway to optimize device performance, consideration must be given to chemical synthesis processing techniques. Therefore, how does common substrate processing techniques influence the behavior of MHP phenomena such as ion migration and strain? Here, we demonstrate how a hybrid approach of chemical bath deposition (CBD) and nanoparticle SnO2 substrate processing significantly improves the performance of (FAPbI3)0.97(MAPbBr3)0.03 by reducing micro-strain in the SnO2 lattice, allowing distribution of K+ from K-Cl treatment of substrates to passivate defects formed at the interface and produce higher current in light and dark environments. X-ray diffraction reveals differences in lattice strain behavior with respect to SnO2 substrate processing methods. Through use of conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM), conductivity is measured spatially with MHP morphology, showing higher generation of current in both light and dark conditions for films with hybrid processing. Additionally, time-of-flight secondary ionization mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) observed the distribution of K+ at the perovskite/SnO2 interface, indicating K+ passivation of defects to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and device stability. We show how understanding the role of ion distribution at the SnO2 and perovskite interface can help reduce the creating of defects and promote a more efficient MHP device.

conductive atomic force microscopy↗

In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Micro-Diffraction Investigation of Elastic Strains in Laminated Ti-Al Composites

Spatially resolved elastic strains in the bulk interior of a laminated Ti-Al metal composite were studied during in situ tensile loading at strains up to 1.66% by a synchrotron-based micro-diffraction technique, namely differential aperture X-ray microscopy (DAXM). For both Al and Ti grains, deviatoric elastic strains were estimated based on polychromatic X-ray microbeam diffraction, while lattice strains along the normal direction of the tensile sample were directly measured using monochromatic X-ray microbeam diffraction. The estimated deviatoric strains show large spatial variations, and the mean values are consistent with the external loading conditions, i.e., increasing tensile strain along the tensile direction and increasing compressive strain along the sample normal with increasing loading. The directly measured lattice strains also show large spatial variations, although the magnitude of this variation is smaller than that for the estimated deviatoric strain. The directly measured lattice strains in Ti grains are largely consistent with the external loading, whereas those in Al grains are in contradiction with the external loading. The causes of the experimental results are discussed and related to both the laminated microstructure of the composite material and the limitations of the techniques.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗