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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 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2011

In situ Formation of Highly Conducting Covalent Au-C Contacts for Single-Molecule Junctions

Charge transport across metal-molecule interfaces has an important role in organic electronics. Typically, chemical link groups such as thiols or amines are used to bind organic molecules to metal electrodes in single-molecule circuits, with these groups controlling both the physical structure and the electronic coupling at the interface. Direct metal-carbon coupling has been shown through C60, benzene and {pi}-stacked benzene but ideally the carbon backbone of the molecule should be covalently bonded to the electrode without intervening link groups. Here, we demonstrate a method to create junctions with such contacts. Trimethyl tin (SnMe{sub 3})-terminated polymethylene chains are used to form single-molecule junctions with a break-junction technique. Gold atoms at the electrode displace the SnMe{sub 3} linkers, leading to the formation of direct Au-C bonded single-molecule junctions with a conductance that is {approx}100 times larger than analogous alkanes with most other terminations. The conductance of these Au-C bonded alkanes decreases exponentially with molecular length, with a decay constant of 0.97 per methylene, consistent with a non-resonant transport mechanism. Control experiments and ab initio calculations show that high conductances are achieved because a covalent Au-C sigma ({sigma}) bond is formed. This offers a new method for making reproducible and highly conducting metal-organic contacts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Defect interactions with stepped CeO{sub 2}/SrTiO{sub 3} interfaces: Implications for radiation damage evolution and fast ion conduction

Due to reduced dimensions and increased interfacial content, nanocomposite oxides offer improved functionalities in a wide variety of advanced technological applications, including their potential use as radiation tolerant materials. To better understand the role of interface structures in influencing the radiation damage tolerance of oxides, we have conducted atomistic calculations to elucidate the behavior of radiation-induced point defects (vacancies and interstitials) at interface steps in a model CeO{sub 2}/SrTiO{sub 3} system. We find that atomic-scale steps at the interface have substantial influence on the defect behavior, which ultimately dictate the material performance in hostile irradiation environments. Distinctive steps react dissimilarly to cation and anion defects, effectively becoming biased sinks for different types of defects. Steps also attract cation interstitials, leaving behind an excess of immobile vacancies. Further, defects introduce significant structural and chemical distortions primarily at the steps. These two factors are plausible origins for the enhanced amorphization at steps seen in our recent experiments. The present work indicates that comprehensive examination of the interaction of radiation-induced point defects with the atomic-scale topology and defect structure of heterointerfaces is essential to evaluate the radiation tolerance of nanocomposites. Finally, our results have implications for other applications, such as fast ion conduction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Impact of segregation energetics on oxygen conductivity at ionic grain boundaries

In pursuit of whether nanocrystallinity could lead to higher anion conductivity, research has revealed contradicting results exposing the limited understanding of point defect energetics at grain boundaries (GBs)/interfaces. Furthermore, by disentangling and addressing key GB energetics issues, i.e., segregation, migration and binding energies of oxygen vacancies in the presence and absence of dopants at the GBs, and the segregation energetics of dopants, we elucidate, using atomic simulations of doped ceria, that dopant segregation is the key factor leading to degradation of oxygen conductivity in nanocrystalline materials. Finally, a framework for designing enhanced conducting nanocrystalline materials is proposed where the focus of doping strategies shifts from bulk to segregation at GBs.

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

Amorphous transparent conducting oxides in context: Work function survey, trends, and facile modification

The work functions of various amorphous and crystalline transparent conducting oxides (TCO5) were measured using Kelvin probe. The films, made by pulsed laser deposition, exhibited varying work functions dependent on the composition and deposition parameters. Tin oxide showed the largest work functions of the oxides measured, while zinc oxide showed the lowest. Binary and ternary combinations of the basis TCOs showed intermediate work functions dependent on the endpoint components. Amorphous TCO5, important in OPV and other technological applications, exhibited similar work functions to their crystalline counterparts. UV/ozone treatment of TCOs temporarily increased the work function, consistent with proposed defect mechanisms associated with near-surface changes in carrier content and Fermi level. Finally, a method for facile adjustment of the work function of commercial TCOs by atomic layer deposition (ALD) capping layers was presented, illustrated by the growth of zinc oxide layers on commercial crystalline ITO films.

Yeh, T. C.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Crystal structure and ion conductivity of a new mixed-anion phosphate LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7}

A new lithium-containing phosphate, LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7}, was prepared by a solid-state reaction, and it was characterized by an ab initio structure determination method on the basis of synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7} was found to be orthorhombic (space group Pnma) with lattice parameters a=9.0387(1) Å, b=10.6072(1) Å, c=8.3065(1) Å, and V=796.39(1) Å{sup 3}. The structure features infinite [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layers that are parallel to the bc plane and that are interconnected along the a axis by PO{sub 4} and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} groups. The [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layer contains Mg{sub 3}O{sub 14} trimers that are formed by three edge-shared MgO{sub 6} octahedra. The PO{sub 4} and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} groups are located alternatively between [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layers. This gives rise to a three-dimensional framework that contains large tunnels along the directions [1 0 0] and [0 1 0]; the Li{sup +} ions are stabilized in these tunnels. AC impedance spectroscopy shows that LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7} has an ionic conductivity of 3.40×10{sup −5} S cm{sup −1} at 769 K, with an activation energy of 1.17 eV. - Graphical abstract: Polyhedral view of LiMg3(PO4)P2O7. Li+ ions are represented by orange spheres, MgO6 groups by octahedra, and PO4 groups by tetrahedra. - Highlights: • New compound LiMg{sub 3}(PO{sub 4})P{sub 2}O{sub 7} is reported. • The crystal structure is investigated by synchrotron XRD analysis. • The structure features [Mg{sub 3}O{sub 10}]{sub ∞} layers with interconnecting PO{sub 4} and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} groups. • Correlation between the crystal structure and ionic conductivity is discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Thermal conductivity as a metric for the crystalline quality of SrTiO{sub 3} epitaxial layers

Measurements of thermal conductivity {Lambda} by time-domain thermoreflectance in the temperature range 100<T<300 K are used to characterize the crystalline quality of epitaxial layers of a prototypical oxide, SrTiO{sub 3}. Twenty samples from five institutions using two growth techniques, molecular beam epitaxy and pulsed laser deposition (PLD), were analyzed. Optimized growth conditions produce layers with {Lambda} comparable to bulk single crystals. Many PLD layers, particularly those that use ceramics as the target material, show surprisingly low {Lambda}. For homoepitaxial layers, the decrease in {Lambda} created by point defects correlates well with the expansion of the lattice parameter in the direction normal to the surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Non-equilibrium origin of high electrical conductivity in gallium zinc oxide thin films

Non-equilibrium state defines physical properties of materials in many technologies, including architectural, metallic, and semiconducting amorphous glasses. In contrast, crystalline electronic and energy materials, such as transparent conductive oxides (TCO), are conventionally thought to be in equilibrium. Here, we demonstrate that high electrical conductivity of crystalline Ga-doped ZnO TCO thin films occurs by virtue of metastable state of their defects. These results imply that such defect metastability may be important in other functional oxides. This finding emphasizes the need to understand and control non-equilibrium states of materials, in particular, their metastable defects, for the design of novel functional materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Fabrication of Transparent-Conducting-Oxide-Coated Inverse Opals as Mesostructured Architectures for Electrocatalysis Applications: A Case Study with NiO

Highly ordered, and conductive inverse opal arrays were made with silica and subsequently coated with tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) via atomic layer deposition (ALD). We demonstrate the utility of the resulting mesostructured electrodes by further coating them with nickel oxide via ALD. The NiO-coated arrays are capable of efficiently electrochemically evolving oxygen from water. These modular, crack-free, transparent, high surface area, and conducting structures show promise for many applications including electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and dye-sensitized solar cells.

Williams, Vennesa O.↗