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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 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Out-of-equilibrium dynamics of a grid-like Fe( II ) spin crossover dimer triggered by a two-photon excitation

The application of two-photon excitation (TPE) in the study of light-responsive materials holds immense potential due to its deeper penetration and reduced photodamage. Despite these benefits, TPE has been underutilised in the investigation of the photoinduced spin crossover (SCO) phenomenon. Here, we employ TPE to delve into the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of a SCO Fe II dimer of the form [Fe II (HL) 2 ] 2 (BF 4 ) 4 ·2MeCN (HL = 3,5-bis{6-(2,2'-bipyridyl)}pyrazole). Optical transient absorption (OTA) spectroscopy in solution proves that the same dynamics take place under both one-photon excitation (OPE) and TPE. The results show the emergence of the photoinduced high spin state in less than 2 ps and with a lifetime of 147 ns. Time-resolved photocrystallography (TRXRD) reveals a single molecular reorganisation within the first 500 ps following TPE. Additionally, variable temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction (VTSCXRD) and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm that the thermal transition is silenced by the solvent. While the results of the OTA and TRXRD utilising TPE are intriguing, the high pump fluencies required to excite enough metal centres to the high spin state may impair its practical application. Nonetheless, this study sheds light on the potential of TPE for the investigation of the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of SCO complexes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

High-pressure neutron powder diffraction study of an arsenolite deuterium inclusion compound: structure and formation kinetics

High-pressure variable-temperature neutron powder diffraction was employed to investigate the synthesis and structural properties of arsenolite (As 4 O 6 ), a cubic arsenic( III ) oxide polymorph, and its inclusion compound with deuterium. The compound forms with the stoichiometry As 4 O 6 ·2D 2 , consistent with earlier findings. At 295 K and 1.96(2) GPa, D 2 molecules occupy the 16c site (0, 0, 0) and are aligned along the <111> direction. The diffraction data suggest that the D 2 molecules at this site become rotationally disordered upon decompression to 0.78(2) GPa at 120 K, while no occupancy is observed at the 8a position (⅛, ⅛, ⅛) under any of the studied conditions. The kinetic data of the high-pressure inclusion compound synthesis at 1.56(2) and 1.96(2) GPa were analyzed using the Avrami model. The Avrami exponent, 0.135(16), remains invariant with pressure, demonstrating that the reaction topochemistry is unaffected by compression. Similarly, the reaction rates, 0.29(3) and 0.23(3) min −0.135 at 1.56(2) and 1.96(2) GPa, respectively, exhibit negligible pressure dependence and suggest a surprisingly low activation volume of 1.6 cm 3 mol −1 for the reaction. These results provide detailed insight into the structural dynamics and kinetics of deuterium inclusion in arsenolite under high pressure.

Guńka, Piotr A. [Warsaw University of Technology (↗
DOE OSTI2025

Elucidating the reversible exsolution–dissolution behaviour of high-entropy oxides in crystalline and amorphous phases

High-entropy oxides (HEOs), as a subclass of high-entropy materials (HEMs), offer a versatile platform for catalysis by leveraging entropy-stabilized solid solutions with tunable compositions, lattice structures, and electronic properties. While exsolution–dissolution of metal species in crystalline HEOs has emerged as a promising strategy for reversible active sites regeneration, the dynamic behaviour of HEOs possessing amorphous nature remains under-explored, particularly the difference with crystalline counterparts. In this work, we systematically investigate the architecture-dependent exsolution–dissolution behavior of HEOs by comparing a crystalline-phase HEO (c-HEO) and an amorphous-phase HEO (a-HEO), both comprising Ni, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Co as principal metal elements. Using a combination of in situ variable-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron microscopy, and in situ CO diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (CO-DRIFTS), the structural evolution of the two HEO phases under redox conditions was elucidated. Both materials exhibit reversible exsolution of metallic species or alloys in reducing environments, followed by re-incorporation into the host lattice upon oxidation. Remarkably, the a-HEO demonstrates more facile and dynamic self-healing behavior, with alloy exsolution and dissolution occurring under milder conditions because of its enhanced reducibility and structural disorder. This study provides critical insights into the design of next-generation regenerable catalysts based on amorphous HEOs, highlighting the role of phase structure in governing reversible metal-site formation dynamics and catalytic performance.

Wang, Qingju [Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (U↗
DOE OSTI2025

Probing the influence of ion-pairing on ligand-field excited-state dynamics

Exploration of the photophysical and photochemical properties of transition metal complexes has driven ground-breaking advancements in solar energy conversion technologies, including photoredox catalysis. While significant research has been devoted to understanding excited state properties of second- and third-row transition metal complexes, earth-abundant first-row metal complexes have received comparatively little attention in this context until very recently. In particular, the role of ion-pairing – which has been identified as a potentially significant factor for Ir(III)-based photosensitizers – has not been examined with regard to its influence on the ligand-field excited states that dominate much of first-row photophysics. A key challenge in studying ion-pair interactions lies in quantifying the extent and nature of ion-pairing, particularly in non-aqueous media where the vast majority of photophysical studies are performed. Cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes provide an attractive platform to address such questions due to their demonstrated potential for applications in photoredox catalysis involving ligand-field excited states. In the present study, we prepared a cobalt(III) polypyridyl complex, [Co(4,4′-OMebpy) 3 ](BAr F 4 ) 3 (where 4,4′-OMebpy is 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine and BAr F 4 is tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl)borate) to probe ion-pairing in non-aqueous solutions. Specifically, analysis of data acquired from both variable-temperature diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR and 1-D rotating-frame nuclear Overhauser effect (ROE) experiments allowed us to identify and differentiate between solvent-separated ion pairs in high-dielectric media and contact ion pairs in a low-dielectric solvent. Time-resolved absorption spectroscopy was then used to measure ground-state recovery dynamics under these varying conditions of ion-pairing, the results of which revealed an increase in excited-state lifetime for contact ion-pairs that we suggest arises from a reduction in outer-sphere reorganization energy relative to conditions which favored solvent-separated ion pairs. We believe this study demonstrates that one can leverage broadly available NMR-based methods to understand ion-pairing in non-aqueous solutions, which in turn can provide a microscopic picture of intermolecular interactions that can impact the photophysical properties of transition metal-based chromophores.

Ghosh, Atanu [Michigan State University, East Lans↗
DOE OSTI2015

Three axis vector magnet set-up for cryogenic scanning probe microscopy

We describe a three axis vector magnet system for cryogenic scanning probe microscopy measurements. We discuss the magnet support system and the power supply, consisting of a compact three way 100 A current source. We obtain tilted magnetic fields in all directions with maximum value of 5T along z-axis and of 1.2T for XY-plane magnetic fields. We describe a scanning tunneling microscopy-spectroscopy (STM-STS) set-up, operating in a dilution refrigerator, which includes a new high voltage ultralow noise piezodrive electronics and discuss the noise level due to vibrations. STM images and STS maps show atomic resolution and the tilted vortex lattice at 150 mK in the superconductor β-Bi{sub 2}Pd. We observe a strongly elongated hexagonal lattice, which corresponds to the projection of the tilted hexagonal vortex lattice on the surface. We also discuss Magnetic Force Microscopy images in a variable temperature insert.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2015

Dopant controlled trap-filling and conductivity enhancement in an electron-transport polymer

Charge transport in organic semiconductors is often inhibited by the presence of tail states that extend into the band gap of a material and act as traps for charge carriers. This work demonstrates the passivation of acceptor tail states by solution processing of ultra-low concentrations of a strongly reducing air-stable organometallic dimer, the pentamethylrhodocene dimer, [RhCp*Cp]{sub 2}, into the electron transport polymer poly([N,N′-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide) -2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)), P(NDI{sub 2}OD-T{sub 2}). Variable-temperature current-voltage measurements of n-doped P(NDI{sub 2}OD-T{sub 2}) are presented with doping concentration varied through two orders of magnitude. Systematic variation of the doping parameter is shown to lower the activation energy for hopping transport and enhance film conductivity and electron mobility.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Large entropy change accompanying two successive magnetic phase transitions in TbMn{sub 2}Si{sub 2} for magnetic refrigeration

Structural and magnetic properties in TbMn{sub 2}Si{sub 2} are studied by variable temperature X-ray diffraction, magnetization, electrical resistivity, and heat capacity measurements. TbMn{sub 2}Si{sub 2} undergoes two successive magnetic transitions at around T{sub c1} = 50 K and T{sub c2} = 64 K. T{sub c1} remains almost constant with increasing magnetic field, but T{sub c2} shifts significantly to higher temperature. Thus, there are two partially overlapping peaks in the temperature dependence of magnetic entropy change, i.e., −ΔS{sub M} (T). The different responses of T{sub c1} and T{sub c2} to external magnetic field, and the overlapping of −ΔS{sub M} (T) around T{sub c1} and T{sub c2} induce a large refrigerant capacity (RC) within a large temperature range. The large reversible magnetocaloric effect (−ΔS{sub M}{sup peak} ∼ 16 J/kg K for a field change of 0–5 T) and RC (=396 J/kg) indicate that TbMn{sub 2}Si{sub 2} could be a promising candidate for low temperature magnetic refrigeration.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Spin-glass-like behavior and negative thermal expansion in antiperovskite Mn{sub 3}Ni{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}N compounds

The Cu-doping effect on the lattice and magnetic properties in Mn{sub 3}Ni{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}N (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0) was extensively investigated. We observed that the Cu-doping at the Ni site complicated the magnetic ground states, which induced the competition of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions. Spin-glass-like behavior, arising from possible site-randomness and competing interactions of magnetism, was observed in compounds with x = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7, and typically discussed by means of the measurement of ac magnetic susceptibility for x = 0.7. The negative thermal expansion (NTE) behavior, due to the magnetic ordering transition, was observed in Mn{sub 3}Ni{sub 1−x}Cu{sub x}N compounds using variable temperature x-ray diffraction. It reveals that the introduction of Cu effectively broadens the temperature range displaying negative thermal expansion. The relationship between the local lattice distortion and the competing magnetic ground states might play an important role in broadening the NTE temperature range in this antiperovskite compound.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Coupling an electrospray source and a solids probe/chemical ionization source to a selected ion flow tube apparatus

A new ion source region has been constructed and attached to a variable temperature selected ion flow tube. The source features the capabilities of electron impact, chemical ionization, a solids probe, and electrospray ionization. The performance of the instrument is demonstrated through a series of reactions from ions created in each of the new source regions. The chemical ionization source is able to create H{sub 3}O{sup +}, but not as efficiently as similar sources with larger apertures. The ability of this source to support a solids probe, however, greatly expands our capabilities. A variety of rhenium cations and dications are created from the solids probe in sufficient abundance to study in the flow tube. The reaction of Re{sup +} with O{sub 2} proceeds with a rate constant that agrees with the literature measurements, while the reaction of Re{sub 2}{sup 2+} is found to charge transfer with O{sub 2} at about 60% of the collision rate; we have also performed calculations that support the charge transfer pathway. The electrospray source is used to create Ba{sup +}, which is reacted with N{sub 2}O to create BaO{sup +}, and we find a rate constant that agrees with the literature.

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

Anomalous dielectric relaxation of water confined in graphite oxide

Nonmonotonic thermal dependence of dielectric relaxation of water has been observed in hydrated graphite oxide (GO). Graphite oxide prepared via Hummers method then imbued with specific water contents were characterized, with {sup 13}C and {sup 1}H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ambient- and variable-temperature X-ray diffractometries, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. Pressed pellets provided with either conducting or blocking electrodes yielded dielectric loss, which was shown to originate from dielectric relaxation of the confined water. Three relaxation processes were observed in impedance spectroscopy. Our previous work has identified two different types of water in GO, namely, intercalated water and water in inter-grain voids. P{sub 1} expresses the reorientation of water confined inside inter-grain voids, and P{sub 2}, the rotation of intercalated water molecules confined in interlayers. The present work reveals a new process P{sub 3}, which also relates to intercalated water. It slows down with temperature, and this apparent anomaly is explained by the decrease in water content and consequent narrowing of interlayer spacing in graphite oxide, as confirmed by characterization techniques. The present study should contribute to our understanding of surface water dynamics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectral study of [Mn(acs){sub 2}(2–pic){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}] single crystals

Acesulfame potassium salt is a synthetic and non-caloric sweetener. It is also important chemically for its capability of being ligand in coordination compounds, because it can bind over Nitrogen and Oxygen atoms of carbonyl and sulfonyl groups and ring oxygen. Some acesulfame containing transition metal ion complexes with mixed ligands exhibit solvato and thermo chromic properties and these properties make them physically important. In this work single crystals of Mn{sup +2} ion complex with mixed ligand, [Mn(acs){sub 2}(2-pic){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2}], was studied with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR parameters were determined. Zero field splitting parameters indicated that the complex was highly symmetric. Variable temperature studies showed no detectable chance in spectra.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Reactivity from excited state {sup 4}FeO{sup +} + CO sampled through reaction of ground state {sup 4}FeCO{sup +} + N{sub 2}O

The kinetics of the FeCO{sup +} + N{sub 2}O reaction have been studied at thermal energies (300–600 K) using a variable temperature selected ion flow tube apparatus. Rate constants and product branching fractions are reported. The reaction is modestly inefficient, proceeding with a rate constant of 6.2 × 10{sup −11} cm{sup 3} s{sup −1} at 300 K, with a small negative temperature dependence, declining to 4.4 × 10{sup −11} cm{sup 3} s{sup −1} at 600 K. Both Fe{sup +} and FeO{sup +} products are observed, with a constant branching ratio of approximately 40:60 at all temperatures. Calculation of the stationary points along the reaction coordinate shows that only the ground state quartet surface is initially sampled resulting in N{sub 2} elimination; a submerged barrier along this portion of the surface dictates the magnitude and temperature dependence of the total rate constant. The product branching fractions are determined by the behavior of the remaining {sup 4}OFeCO{sup +} fragment, and this behavior is compared to that found in the reaction of FeO{sup +} + CO, which initially forms {sup 6}OFeCO{sup +}. Thermodynamic and kinetic arguments are used to show that the spin-forbidden surface crossing in this region is efficient, proceeding with an average rate constant of greater than 10{sup 12} s{sup −1}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Low-noise humidity controller for imaging water mediated processes in atomic force microscopy

We demonstrate the construction of a novel low-noise continuous flow humidity controller and its integration with a commercial variable-temperature atomic force microscope fluid cell, allowing precise control of humidity and temperature at the sample during nanoscale measurements. Based on wet and dry gas mixing, the design allows a high mechanical stability to be achieved by means of an ultrasonic atomiser for the generation of water-saturated gas, improving upon previous bubbler-based architectures. Water content in the flow is measured both at the inflow and outflow of the fluid cell, enabling the monitoring of water condensation and icing, and allowing controlled variation of the sample temperature independently of the humidity. To benchmark the performance of the controller, the results of detailed noise studies and time-based imaging of the formation of ice layers on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite are shown.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Mechanistic roles of metal- and ligand-protonated species in hydrogen evolution with [Cp*Rh] complexes

Protonation reactions involving organometallic complexes are ubiquitous in redox chemistry and often result in the generation of reactive metal hydrides. However, some organometallic species supported by η 5 -pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) ligands have recently been shown to undergo ligand-centered protonation by direct proton transfer from acids or tautomerization of metal hydrides, resulting in the generation of complexes bearing the uncommon η 4 -pentamethylcyclopentadiene (Cp*H) ligand. Here, time-resolved pulse radiolysis (PR) and stopped-flow spectroscopic studies have been applied to examine the kinetics and atomistic details involved in the elementary electron- and proton-transfer steps leading to complexes ligated by Cp*H, using Cp*Rh(bpy) as a molecular model (where bpy is 2,2′-bipyridyl). Stopped-flow measurements coupled with infrared and UV-visible detection reveal that the sole product of initial protonation of Cp*Rh(bpy) is [Cp*Rh(H)(bpy)] + , an elusive hydride complex that has been spectroscopically and kinetically characterized here. Tautomerization of the hydride leads to the clean formation of [(Cp*H)Rh(bpy)] + . Variable-temperature and isotopic labeling experiments further confirm this assignment, providing experimental activation parameters and mechanistic insight into metal-mediated hydride-to-proton tautomerism. Spectroscopic monitoring of the second proton transfer event reveals that both the hydride and related Cp*H complex can be involved in further reactivity, showing that [(Cp*H)Rh] is not necessarily an off-cycle intermediate, but, instead, depending on the strength of the acid used to drive catalysis, an active participant in hydrogen evolution. Identification of the mechanistic roles of the protonated intermediates in the catalysis studied here could inform design of optimized catalytic systems supported by noninnocent cyclopentadienyl-type ligands.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental electronic structures of the Fe IV =O bond in S=1 heme vs. nonheme sites: Effect of the porphyrin ligand

High-valent Fe IV =O species are common intermediates in biological and artificial catalysts. Heme and nonheme S=1 Fe IV =O sites have been synthesized and studied for decades but little quantitative experimental comparison of their electronic structures has been available, due to the lack of direct methods focused on the iron. This study allows a rigorous determination of the electronic structure of a nonheme Fe IV =O center and its comparison to an Fe IV =O heme site using 1s2p resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) and Fe L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Further, variable temperature magnetic circular dichroism (VT-MCD) of the ligand field transitions, combined with nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy of the two S=1 Fe IV =O systems show that the equatorial ligand field decreases from a nonheme to a heme Fe IV =O site. Alternatively, RIXS and Fe L-edge XAS combined with MCD show that the Fe dπ orbitals are unperturbed in the Fe IV =O heme relative to the nonheme site because the strong axial Fe-O bond uncouples the Fe dπ orbitals from the porphyrin π-system. As a consequence, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the H-atom abstraction reactions are actually very similar for heme compound II and nonheme Fe IV =O active sites.

bioinorganic chemistry↗
DOE OSTI2015

HOT PLASMA FROM SOLAR ACTIVE REGION CORES: A TEST OF AC AND DC CORONAL HEATING MODELS?

Direct current (DC) models of solar coronal heating invoke magnetic reconnection to convert magnetic free energy into heat, whereas alternating current (AC) models invoke wave dissipation. In both cases the energy is supplied by photospheric footpoint motions. For a given footpoint velocity amplitude, DC models predict lower average heating rates but greater temperature variability when compared to AC models. Therefore, evidence of hot plasma (T > 5 MK) in the cores of active regions could be one of the ways for current observations to distinguish between AC and DC models. We have analyzed data from the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly for 12 quiescent active region cores, all of which were observed in the XRT Be-thick channel. We did Differential Emission Measure (DEM) analysis and achieved good fits for each data set. We then artificially truncated the hot plasma of the DEM model at 5 MK and examined the resulting fits to the data. For some regions in our sample, the XRT intensities continued to be well-matched by the DEM predictions, even without the hot plasma. This truncation, however, resulted in unacceptable fits for the other regions. This result indicates that the hot plasma is present in these regions, even if the precise DEM distribution cannot be determined with the data available. We conclude that reconnection may be heating the hot plasma component of these active regions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

High-precision vapor pressure measurement apparatus with facile and inexpensive construction

This study describes an apparatus for high-precision variable temperature measurement of liquid vapor pressure. The apparatus can be used to measure the vapor pressure using only 0.5 ml of the liquid sample. To evaluate the accuracy of the device measurement, water and 2-propanol are utilized as standard liquids, and their vapor pressure is measured with a maximum uncertainty of ~1%. This apparatus can be replicated using inexpensive and commonly used laboratory fittings and fixtures, making it an indispensable tool for synthetic chemists and chemical engineers involved in the iterative synthesis of compounds, targeting different vapor–liquid equilibrium regimes.

Engineering↗