Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “nitride synthesis”

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.

31 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2017

Synthesis and Thermal Conductivity of Exfoliated Hexagonal Boron Nitride/Alumina Ceramic Composite

Exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)/alumina composite can be fabricated by following the process of (1) heating a mixture of hBN, AlCl3, and NaF in nitrogen for intercalation; (2) heating the intercalated product in air for exfoliation and at the same time converting the intercalate (AlCl3) into Al2O3, (3) rinsing the oxidized product, (4) coating individual exfoliated hBN platelets that contain Al2O3 with new layers of aluminum oxide, and finally, (5) hot pressing the product into the composite. The composite thus obtained has a composition of approximately 60 percent by weight hBN and 40 percent by weight alumina. Its in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivity were measured to be 86 and 18 watts per meter Kelvin, respectively, at room temperature.

Hung, Ching-cheh↗
NASA NTRS1984

An improved process for preparing Tris(N-methylamino)methylsilane monomer for use in producing silicon carbide-silicon nitride fibers

A technique is described for the preparation of tris(N-methylamino)methylsilane by a process which may be used for large-scale production. The steps include synthesis, filtration to remove the salt byproduct, and distillation to remove the product from the reaction mixture under anhydrous conditions. Tris(N-methylamino)methylsilane is a precursor used to prepare silicon carbide-silicon nitride fibers that have been shown to have high tensile modulus (29 x 10 to the 6th psi for 0.4 mil diameter), high tensile strength (10.5 x 10 to the 4th psi), and high electrical resistivity (7 x 10 to the 8th ohm-cm).

Penn, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Liquid crystals of neat boron nitride nanotubes and their assembly into ordered macroscopic materials

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have attracted attention for their predicted extraordinary properties; yet, challenges in synthesis and processing have stifled progress on macroscopic materials. Recent advances have led to the production of highly pure BNNTs. Here we report that neat BNNTs dissolve in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) and form birefringent liquid crystal domains at concentrations above 170 ppmw. These tactoidal domains merge into millimeter- sized regions upon light sonication in capillaries. Cryogenic electron microscopy directly shows nematic alignment of BNNTs in solution. BNNT liquid crystals can be processed into aligned films and extruded into neat BNNT fibers. This study of nematic liquid crystals of BNNTs demonstrates their ability to form macroscopic materials to be used in high- performance applications.

Cedric J. Simonsen Ginestra↗
NASA NTRS2020

Novel High Barrier Films for Packaging Food and Medicine

Long manned missions require food packaging to maintain food safety, nutrition, and acceptability for the length of 3-5 years1,2 while the shelf life assigned by NASA for current provisions is 18-24 months1. The focus of this design project was to make a polymer film specifically to function as a high oxygen barrier to later be included in an improved multi-layer packaging system of other specialized polymers with capabilities to allow for a 5-year shelf-life. To qualify as a high oxygen barrier film and to be a successful design for the future packaging, the resulting film is required to have an oxygen transmission rate (OTR) less than 0.06 cc/ m2/24 hr/atm, the standard for the current packaging3. This new film was designed to have a decreased permeability by increasing the “tortuous path” a gas molecule travels to permeate through a film. The increase in the “tortuous path” of a gas molecule is accomplished by introducing a 2D material additive. The additive chosen for this project was hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) which exfoliates into boron nitride nanosheets (BNNs). Nylon 6 was chosen as the candidate for the matrix. This project is required to determine the best methods to synthesize the sample film and then to test the OTR of the film to determine if this design was successful. This project examined methods for pulverizing polymer resin pellets, h-BN exfoliation, and film fabrication using a hot press. This report includes the exfoliation and analysis of h-BN, procedural preparations for films, and a modeling study of estimated OTR of the h-BN/Nylon. The work in this report did not yield a high barrier composite film because of the laboratory closure in response to COVID -19 guidance but provides a concise method of the additive preparation and film synthesis. This gives a good starting point for future research in high barrier films by 2D additive composites.

Polymer, Nylon, PET, boron nitride, nanocomposite↗
NASA NTRS1979

State-of-the-art of SiAlON materials

Research presented includes work on phase relations, crystal structure, synthesis, fabrication, and properties of various SiAlONs. The essential features of compositions, fabrication methods, and microstructure are reviewed. High temperature flexure strength, creep, fracture toughness, oxidation, and thermal shock resistance are discussed. These data are compared to those for some currently produced silicon nitride ceramics to assess the potential SiAlON materials for use in advanced gas turbine engines.

Dutta, S.↗
NASA NTRS1980

State-of-the-art SiAlON materials

The state of the art of SiAlONs is examined. The review includes work on phase relations, crystal structure, synthesis, fabrication, and properties of various SiAlONs. The essential features of compositions, fabrication methods, and microstructure are reviewed. High temperature flexure strength, creep, fracture toughness, oxidation, and thermal shock resistance are discussed. These data are compared to those for some currently produced silicon nitride ceramics to assess the potential of SiAlON materials for use in advanced gas turbine engines.

Dutta, S.↗
NASA NTRS1979

State-of-the-art of SiAlON materials

The state of the art of 'SiAlONs' is reviewed, noting that the term has become a generic one applied to Si3N4 based materials. Attention is given to work on phase relations, crystal structure, synthesis, fabrication, and properties of various SiAlONs. Also discussed are the essential features of compositions, fabrication methods, and microstructures. In addition, consideration is given to high temperature flexure strength, creep, fracture toughness, oxidation, and thermal shock resistance. Finally, these data are compared to those for some currently produced silicon nitride ceramics to assess the potential of SiAlON materials for use in advanced gas turbine engines.

Dutta, S.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Approaches for Exploring the Organic Evolution of Titan's Surface

Saturn's largest moon Titan has a cold, very dense nitrogen atmosphere rich in methane and the hydrocarbon and nitride products of methane photolysis. Sources of energy for atmospheric chemistry include solar ultraviolet radiation, Saturn magnetospheric particles, and galactic cosmic rays. The chemistry of Titan's atmosphere, while interesting from the point of view of planetary photochemistry, is largely free radical driven and therefore not particularly suited to the synthesis of polymeric biomolecules or even their precursors. However, the nature of Titan's atmosphere, in particular its redox state (hydrogen escapes rapidly and is under abundant compared to in the giant planets), and the presence of a variegated surface make consideration of surface chemistry on Titan interesting from an astrobiological viewpoint. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

Beauchamp, P.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Carbon Nanofibers Synthesized on Selective Substrates for Nonvolatile Memory and 3D Electronics

A plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) growth technique has been developed where the choice of starting substrate was found to influence the electrical characteristics of the resulting carbon nanofiber (CNF) tubes. It has been determined that, if the tubes are grown on refractory metallic nitride substrates, then the resulting tubes formed with dc PECVD are also electrically conducting. Individual CNFs were formed by first patterning Ni catalyst islands using ebeam evaporation and liftoff. The CNFs were then synthesized using dc PECVD with C2H2:NH3 = [1:4] at 5 Torr and 700 C, and approximately equal to 200-W plasma power. Tubes were grown directly on degenerately doped silicon <100> substrates with resistivity rho approximately equal to 1-5 meterohm-centimeter, as well as NbTiN. The approximately equal to 200-nanometer thick refractory NbTiN deposited using magnetron sputtering had rho approximately equal to 113 microohm-centimeter and was also chemically compatible with CNF synthesis. The sample was then mounted on a 45 beveled Al holder, and placed inside a SEM (scanning electron microscope). A nanomanipulator probe stage was placed inside the SEM equipped with an electrical feed-through, where tungsten probes were used to make two-terminal electrical measurements with an HP 4156C parameter analyzer. The positive terminal nanoprobe was mechanically manipulated to physically contact an individual CNF grown directly on NbTiN as shown by the SEM image in the inset of figure (a), while the negative terminal was grounded to the substrate. This revealed the tube was electrically conductive, although measureable currents could not be detected until approximately equal to 6 V, after which point current increased sharply until compliance (approximately equal to 50 nA) was reached at approximately equal to 9.5 V. A native oxide on the tungsten probe tips may contribute to a tunnel barrier, which could be the reason for the suppressed transport at low biases. Currents up to approximately 100 nA could be cycled, which are likely to propagate via the tube surface, or sidewalls, rather than the body, which is shown by the I-V in figure (a). Electrical conduction via the sidewalls is a necessity for dc NEMS (nanoelectromechanical system) applications, more so than for the field emission applications of such tubes. During the tests, high conductivity was expected, because both probes were shorted to the substrate, as shown by curve 1 in the I-V characteristic in figure (b). When a tube grown on NbTiN was probed, the response was similar to the approximately equal to 100 nA and is represented by curve 2 in figure (b), which could be cycled and propagated via the tube surface or the sidewalls. However, no measureable currents for the tube grown directly on Si were observed as shown by curve 3 in figure (b), even after testing over a range of samples. This could arise from a dielectric coating on the sidewalls for tubes on Si. As a result of the directional nature of ion bombardment during dc PECVD, Si from the substrate is likely re-sputtered and possibly coats the sidewalls.

Kaul, Anupama B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Status of Plasma Physics Techniques for the Deposition of Tribological Coatings

This paper reviews the plasma physics deposition techniques of sputtering and ion-plating. Their characteristics and potentials are discussed in terms of synthesis or deposition of tribological coatings. Since the glow discharge or plasma generated in the conventional sputtering and ion-plating techniques has a low ionization efficiency (<0.1%), rapid advances have been made in equipment design to further increase the ionization efficiency. The enhanced ionization favorably affects the nucleation and growth sequence of the coating. This leads to improved adherence and coherence, higher density, favorable morphological growth, and reduced internal stresses in the coatings. As a result, desirable coating characteristics can be precision tailored. Tribological coating characteristics of sputtered solid film lubricants such as MoS2, ion-plated soft gold and lead metallic films, and sputtered and ion-plated wear-resistant refractory compound films such as nitrides and carbides are discussed.

Talivaldis Spalvins↗
NASA NTRS1987

Detection of interstellar PN - The first phosphorus-bearing species observed in molecular clouds

Phosphorus nitride (PN) has been detected in the interstellar medium. The J = 2-1, 3-2, 5-4, and 6-5 rotational lines of this species have been observed toward Orion-KL, and the J = 2-1 transition in Sgr B2 and W51. The PN line profiles in Orion indicate that the molecule's emission arises from the 'plateau' or 'doughnut' region associated with the outflow from IRc2. The species is thus primarily present in hot, dense gas. Column densities derived for PN toward Orion-KL are (3-4) x 10 to the 13th/sq cm, but may be as high as 10 to the 14th/sq cm, if the species is located in a 10-arcsec region. These column densities imply a fractional abundance for PN in the Orion 'plateau' of (1-4) x 10 to the -10th. Such a large abundance for PN is not predicted by quiescent cloud ion-molecule chemistry and suggests that high-temperature processes are responsible for the synthesis of PN in the KL outflow.

Ziurys, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Modeling of Laser Vaporization and Plume Chemistry in a Boron Nitride Nanotube Production Rig

Flow in a pressurized, vapor condensation (PVC) boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) production rig is modeled. A laser provides a thermal energy source to the tip of a boron ber bundle in a high pressure nitrogen chamber causing a plume of boron-rich gas to rise. The buoyancy driven flow is modeled as a mixture of thermally perfect gases (B, B2, N, N2, BN) in either thermochemical equilibrium or chemical nonequilibrium assuming steady-state melt and vaporization from a 1 mm radius spot at the axis of an axisymmetric chamber. The simulation is intended to define the macroscopic thermochemical environment from which boron-rich species, including nanotubes, condense out of the plume. Simulations indicate a high temperature environment (T > 4400K) for elevated pressures within 1 mm of the surface sufficient to dissociate molecular nitrogen and form BN at the base of the plume. Modifications to Program LAURA, a finite-volume based solver for hypersonic flows including coupled radiation and ablation, are described to enable this simulation. Simulations indicate that high pressure synthesis conditions enable formation of BN vapor in the plume that may serve to enhance formation of exceptionally long nanotubes in the PVC process.

Gnoffo, Peter A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Fabrication and Modification of Nanoporous Silicon Particles

Silicon-based nanoporous particles as biodegradable drug carriers are advantageous in permeation, controlled release, and targeting. The use of biodegradable nanoporous silicon and silicon dioxide, with proper surface treatments, allows sustained drug release within the target site over a period of days, or even weeks, due to selective surface coating. A variety of surface treatment protocols are available for silicon-based particles to be stabilized, functionalized, or modified as required. Coated polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains showed the effective depression of both plasma protein adsorption and cell attachment to the modified surfaces, as well as the advantage of long circulating. Porous silicon particles are micromachined by lithography. Compared to the synthesis route of the nanomaterials, the advantages include: (1) the capability to make different shapes, not only spherical particles but also square, rectangular, or ellipse cross sections, etc.; (2) the capability for very precise dimension control; (3) the capacity for porosity and pore profile control; and (4) allowance of complex surface modification. The particle patterns as small as 60 nm can be fabricated using the state-of-the-art photolithography. The pores in silicon can be fabricated by exposing the silicon in an HF/ethanol solution and then subjecting the pores to an electrical current. The size and shape of the pores inside silicon can be adjusted by the doping of the silicon, electrical current application, the composition of the electrolyte solution, and etching time. The surface of the silicon particles can be modified by many means to provide targeted delivery and on-site permanence for extended release. Multiple active agents can be co-loaded into the particles. Because the surface modification of particles can be done on wafers before the mechanical release, asymmetrical surface modification is feasible. Starting from silicon wafers, a treatment, such as KOH dipping or reactive ion etching (RIE), may be applied to make the surface rough. This helps remove the nucleation layer. A protective layer is then deposited on the wafer. The protective layer, such as silicon nitride film or photoresist film, protects the wafer from electrochemical etching in an HF-based solution. A lithography technique is applied to pattern the particles onto the protective film. The undesired area of the protective film is removed, and the protective film on the back side of the wafer is also removed. Then the pattern is exposed to HF/surfactant solution, and a larger DC electrical current is applied to the wafers for a selected time. This step removes the nucleation layer. Then a DC current is applied to generate the nanopores. Next, a large electrical current is applied to generate a release layer. The particles are mechanically suspended in the solvent and collected by filtration or centrifuge.

Ferrari, Mauro↗