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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

A Piecewise Local Partial Least Squares (PLS) Method for the Quantitative Analysis of Plutonium Nitrate Solutions

We have developed a piecewise local (PL) partial least squares (PLS) analysis method for total plutonium measurements by absorption spectroscopy in nitric acid-based nuclear material processing streams. Instead of using a single PLS model that covers all expected solution conditions, the method selects one of several local models based on an assessment of solution absorbance, acidity, and Pu oxidation state distribution. The local models match the global model for accuracy against the calibration set, but were observed in several instances to be more robust to variations associated with measurements in the process. The improvements are attributed to the relative parsimony of the local models. Not all of the sources of spectral variation are uniformly present at each part of the calibration range. Thus, the global model is locally overfitting and susceptible to increased variance when presented with new samples. A second set of models quantifies the relative concentrations of Pu(III), (IV), and (VI). Standards containing a mixture of these species were not at equilibrium due to a disproportionation reaction. Therefore, a separate principal component analysis is used to estimate of the concentrations of the individual oxidation states in these standards in the absence of independent confirmatory analysis. The PL analysis approach is generalizable to other systems where the analysis of chemically complicated systems can be aided by rational division of the overall range of solution conditions into simpler sub-regions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Fully coupled Pauli-Fierz systems at zero and positive temperature

These notes provide an introduction to the spectral analysis of Pauli-Fierz systems at zero and positive temperature. More precisely, we study finite dimensional quantum systems linearly coupled to a single reservoir, a massless scalar quantum field. We emphasize structure results valid at arbitrary system-reservoir coupling strength. The notes contain a mixture of known, refined, and new results and each section ends with a discussion of open problems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Comprehensive analysis of common polymers using hyphenated TGA-FTIR-GC/MS and Raman spectroscopy towards a database for micro- and nanoplastics identification, characterization, and quantitation

Environmental contamination by micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is well documented with potential for their increased accumulation globally. Growing public concern over environmental, ecological, and human exposure to MNPs has led to exponential increase in publications, news articles, and reports. Significant knowledge gap exists in standardized analytical methods for the identification and quantification of MNPs from real world environmental samples. Here, in this study, we report comprehensive datasets utilizing thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) coupled to a Fourier transformed infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) with corresponding Raman spectral data for the most common polymers documented to be present in the environment (35 plastics of 12 polymer types), to serve as a base line reference for the identification and quantitation of MNPs. Various parameters for TGA-FTIR-GC/MS data acquisition were optimized. Commercial consumer plastic product compositions were identified using this analytical database. Case studies to showcase the utility of the method for polymer mixtures analysis is included. This dataset would serve towards the development of a collaborative, global, comprehensive, and curated public database for the identification of various MNPs and mixtures.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

X-ray diffraction analysis of LiCu{sub 2}O{sub 2} crystals with additives of silver atoms

Silver-containing LiCu{sub 2}O{sub 2} crystals up to 4 × 8 × 8 mm in size were grown by the crystallization of 80(1-x)CuO · 20{sub x}AgNO{sub 3} · 20Li{sub 2}CO{sub 3} (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) mixture melt. According to the X-ray spectral and Rietveld X-ray diffraction data, the maximum amount of silver incorporated in the LiCu{sub 2}O{sub 2} structure is about 4 at % relative to the copper content. It was established that silver atoms occupy statistically crystallographic positions of lithium atoms. The incorporation of silver atoms is accompanied by a noticeable increase in parameter c of the LiCu{sub 2}O{sub 2} rhombic unit cell, a slight increase in parameter a, and a slight decrease in parameter b.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spectral and lasing characteristics of 1% Ho:YAG ceramics under intracavity pumping

High-transparency 1% Ho:YAG ceramics with the transmission coefficient of 82% in the IR range at the sample thickness of 1 mm are synthesised from a mixture of the Ho:Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanopowders obtained by the laser method. Results of investigations of spectral and lasing characteristics of 1 % Ho:YAG ceramics under intracavity pumping by radiation of a 5% Tm:KLuW disk element are presented. Based on spectral intensity analysis of generation in the 1.8 – 2.1 mm range and on cavity parameters, the estimated lasing slope efficiency for 1% Ho:YAG ceramics is about 40%. (lasers)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Integral Field Spectroscopy of the cometary starburst galaxy NGC 4861

ABSTRACT Using the PMAS Integral Field Unit on the Calar Alto 3.5 m telescope, we observed the southern component (Markarian 59) of the ‘cometary’ starburst galaxy NGC 4861. Mrk 59 is centred on a giant nebula and concentration of stars 1 kpc in diameter. Strong $\rm H\,\alpha$ emission points to a star-formation rate (SFR) at least 0.47 $\rm M_{\odot }\, yr^{-1}$. Mrk 59 has a very high [O iii] $\rm \lambda 5007/H\,\beta$ ratio, reaching 7.35 in the central nebula, with a second peak at a star-forming hotspot further north. Fast outflows are not detected but nebular motion and galaxy rotation produce relative velocities up to 40 km $\rm s^{-1}$. Spectral analysis of different regions with ‘Fitting Analysis using Differential evolution Optimization’ (FADO) finds that the stars in the central and ‘spur’ nebulae are very young, $\rm \le 125~Myr$ with a large $\rm \lt 10~Myr$ contribution. Older stars ($\rm \sim 1~Gyr$) make up the northern disk component, while the other regions show mixtures of 1 Gyr age with very young stars. This and the high specific SFR $\rm \sim 3.5~Gyr^{-1}$ imply a bimodal star formation history, with Mrk 59 formed in ongoing starbursts fuelled by a huge gas inflow, turning the galaxy into an asymmetric ‘green pea’ or blue compact dwarf. We map the He ii λ4686 emission, and identify a broad component from the central nebula, consistent with the emission of ∼300 Wolf–Rayet stars. About a third of the He ii λ4686 flux is a narrow line emitted from a more extended area covering the central and spur nebulae, and may have a different origin.

Roche, Nathan (ORCID:0000000319363058)↗

Tolyporphins A–R, unusual tetrapyrrole macrocycles in a cyanobacterium from Micronesia, assessed quantitatively from the culture HT-58-2

The ‘pigments of life’ family has been enlarged by the discovery of the tetrapyrrole macrocycles dubbed tolyporphins, which are present in a cyanobacterial culture (HT-58-2). Of the 18 known tolyporphins, fourteen (A–J and L–O) are dioxobacteriochlorins, three (K, Q and R) are oxochlorins, and one (P) is a porphyrin. The members with a given chromophore absorb similarly but not identically with each other, presenting the problem of absorption spectral aliasing. Tolyporphins G and H are isomers, as are tolyporphins L–O, given the nature of the peripheral ( C -glycoside, –OH, or –OAc) substituents, presenting the (isobaric) problem of mass spectrometric analysis. The distribution of tolyporphin members is known to change over time and under different growth conditions, however, the complexity of the tolyporphins mixture presents challenges toward characterization of the underlying factors that alter such distributions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (LC-MS-dMRM) was employed to characterize the distribution of tolyporphins under distinct growth media, using two semisynthetic standards, tolyporphin A O,O -dibutyrate and tolyporphin D O,O,O,O -tetrabutyrate. Growth in media containing both ammonium and nitrate salts versus nitrate alone affords increased production of tolyporphins. The absorption spectra of tolyporphins A–R have been reevaluated with regards to molar absorption coefficients, are compared with those of selected tetrapyrrole macrocycles to better understand the effects of chromophores and substituents, and are made available here in print and digital forms for comparison with isolated tolyporphins and mixtures thereof. Together, the work provides the foundation for quantitative assessment of these unusual natural products.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Improved precision in As speciation analysis with HERFD-XANES at the As K -edge: the case of As speciation in mine waste

High-energy-resolution fluorescence-detected (HERFD) X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) is a spectroscopic method that allows for increased spectral feature resolution, and greater selectivity to decrease complex matrix effects compared with conventional XANES. XANES is an ideal tool for speciation of elements in solid-phase environmental samples. Accurate speciation of As in mine waste materials is important for understanding the mobility and toxicity of As in near-surface environments. In this study, linear combination fitting (LCF) was performed on synthetic spectra generated from mixtures of eight measured reference compounds for both HERFD-XANES and transmission-detected XANES to evaluate the improvement in quantitative speciation with HERFD-XANES spectra. The reference compounds arsenolite (As 2 O 3 ), orpiment (As 2 S 3 ), getchellite (AsSbS 3 ), arsenopyrite (FeAsS), kaňkite (FeAsO 4 ·3.5H 2 O), scorodite (FeAsO 4 ·2H 2 O), sodium arsenate (Na 3 AsO 4 ), and realgar (As 4 S 4 ) were selected for their importance in mine waste systems. Statistical methods of principal component analysis and target transformation were employed to determine whether HERFD improves identification of the components in a dataset of mixtures of reference compounds. LCF was performed on HERFD- and total fluorescence yield (TFY)-XANES spectra collected from mine waste samples. Arsenopyrite, arsenolite, orpiment, and sodium arsenate were more accurately identified in the synthetic HERFD-XANES spectra compared with the transmission-XANES spectra. In mine waste samples containing arsenopyrite and either scorodite or kaňkite, LCF with HERFD-XANES measurements resulted in fits with smaller R -factors than concurrently collected TFY measurements. The improved accuracy of HERFD-XANES analysis may provide enhanced delineation of As phases controlling biogeochemical reactions in mine wastes, contaminated soils, and remediation systems.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Solid-state thermal behavior and stability studies of theophylline-citric acid cocrystals prepared by neat cogrinding or thermal treatment

To investigate the thermal behavior of cocrystal formed between anhydrous theophylline (TP) and anhydrous citric acid (CA) by neat manual cogrinding or thermal treatment, DSC and FTIR microspectroscopy with curve-fitting analysis were applied. The physical mixture and 60-min ground mixture were stored at 55{+-}0.5 Degree-Sign C/40{+-}2% RH condition to determine their stability behavior. Typical TP-CA cocrystals were prepared by slow solvent evaporation method. Results indicate that the cogrinding process could gradually induce the cocrystal formation between TP and CA. The IR spectral peak shift from 3495 to 3512 cm{sup -1} and the stepwise appearance of several new IR peaks at 1731, 1712, 1676, 1651, 1557 and 1265 cm{sup -1} with cogrinding time suggest that the mechanism of TP-CA cocrystal formation was evidenced by interacting TP with CA through the intermolecular O-H{center_dot}{center_dot}{center_dot}O hydrogen bonding. The stability of 60-min ground mixture of TP-CA was confirmed at 55{+-}0.5 Degree-Sign C/40{+-}2% RH condition over a storage time of 60 days. - Garphical abstract: Cogrinding, thermal and solvent-evaporation methods might easily induce the theophylline-citric acid cocrystal formation. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cogrinding process could gradually induce the cocrystal formation between TP and CA. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The TP-CA cocrystal was formed through the intermolecular O-H{center_dot}{center_dot}{center_dot}O hydrogen bonding. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The 60-min TP-CA ground mixture was similar to the solvent-evaporated cocrystal. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The thermal-induced TP-CA cocrystal formation was confirmed by pre-heating the physical mixture to 152 Degree-Sign C. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The 60-min TP-CA ground mixture was stable at accelerated condition over a storage time of 60 days.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Accessing Transient Isomers in the Photoreaction of Metastable‐State Photoacid

The photoreaction of a metastable‐state photoacid (mPAH) generally involves multiple isomers with various connected pathways of photoinduced structural changes during a single reaction cycle. However, only a limited number of isomers have been identified experimentally so far owing to the inherent complexity in combination with the presence of various competing electronic and vibrational processes, as well as the constantly varying interactions between mPAH isomers and solvent molecules. Here, in this work, an optical spectroscopic study on a benzimidazole‐based mPAH, a novel photoacid using benzimidazole as the structural moiety with the active proton, is reported. Through measurements of linear absorption and steady‐state fluorescence in neat solvents and binary mixtures, a pronounced effect of neat water and its binary mixture with glycerol is discovered on the photoreaction of this benzimidazole‐mPAH, manifested by the remarkably distinct spectral responses to irradiation from that observed for an organic solution under identical conditions. Measurements of time‐ and frequency‐resolved fluorescence emission further enable to access transient isomers and the associated spectral characteristics from other competing electronic excited‐state relaxation processes. Spectral deconvolution analysis and time‐dependent density functional theory calculations are applied to separate distinct spectral components and access their potential origin.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Core-Level Spectroscopy with Hard and Soft X-rays on Phosphorus-Containing Compounds for Energy Conversion and Storage

The electronic properties of nine solid phosphorus (P)-containing compounds with varying oxidation states and chemical environments, including GaP (–III) , InP (–III) , red-P (0) , H 3 P (III) O 3 , Na 2 H 2 P 2 (IV) O 6 , H 3 P (V) O 4 , KH 2 P (V) O 4 , Na 2 HP (V) O 4 , and InP (V) O 4 , are investigated using X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy in the hard (P K-edge) and soft X-ray regime (P L 2,3 - edge). We find shifts in the absorption-edge positions and correlate them with the ligands surrounding the P atom, likely causing a different core–hole interaction screening for different compounds. Complementing the experimental analysis, ab initio many-body calculations of XANES spectra provide insights into the excitonic nature of the observed spectral features and their impact on the electronic structure of the materials. Furthermore, we report on P K-edge XANES measurements on aqueous phosphorus-containing acids, including H 3 PO 3 , H 3 PO 4 , and their mixtures. At first sight, the spectra of the aqueous acids are similar to those of their solid counterparts. However, close inspection reveals a slight red shift of the absorption edge and the presence of fewer spectral features compared with spectra of the respective solids. Mixtures of aqueous acids display spectral features corresponding to the individual components, indicating the potential for speciation and quantification through fingerprinting.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Quantification of synthesized hydration products using synchrotron microtomography and spectral analysis

The use of x-ray computed tomography (CT) as a standalone method has primarily been used to characterize pore structure, cracking and mechanical damage in cementitious systems due to low contrast in the hydrated phases. These limitations have resulted in the inability to extract quantifiable information on such phases. The goal of this research was to address the limitations caused by low contrast and improving the ability to distinguish the four primary hydrated phases in portland cement; C-S-H, calcium hydroxide, monosulfate, and ettringite. X-ray CT on individual layers, binary mixtures of phases, and quaternary mixtures of phases to represent a hydrated portland cement paste were imaged with synchrotron radiation. Known masses of each phase were converted to a volume and compared to the segmented image volumes. It was observed that adequate contrast in binary mixing of phases allowed for segmentation, and subsequent image analysis indicated quantifiable volumes could be extracted from the tomographic volume. However, low contrast was observed when C-S-H and monosulfate were paired together leading to difficulties segmenting in an unbiased manner. Quantification of phases in quaternary mixtures included larger errors than binary mixes due to histogram overlaps of monosulfate, C-S-H, and calcium hydroxide.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Synthesis, morphology, optical and photocatalytic performance of nanostructured β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Highlights: ► Nanostructures of β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} were prepared using facile reflux condensation process. ► The pH of the reaction mixture shows evident influence on the size and shape of the nanostructures formed. ► The nanostructures exhibited good photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B and was found to be superior for higher pH value. - Abstract: Fine powders of β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were prepared via low temperature reflux condensation method by varying the pH value without using any surfactant. The pH value of reaction mixture had great influence on the morphology of final products. High crystalline single phase β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} nanostructures were obtained by thermal treatment at 900 °C which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The morphological analysis revealed rod like nanostructures at lower and higher pH values of 6 and 10, while spindle like structures were obtained at pH = 8. The phase purity and presence of vibrational bands were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optical absorbance spectrum showed intense absorption features in the UV spectral region. A broad blue emission peak centered at 441 nm due to donor–acceptor gallium–oxygen vacancy pair recombination appeared. The photocatalytic activity toward Rhodamine B under visible light irradiation was higher for nanorods at pH 10.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Modification of conventional peak shapes to accurately represent spectral asymmetry: High-Resolution X-ray photoelectron spectra of [C 4 C 1 Pyrr][NTf 2 ] and [C 8 C 1 Im][NTf 2 ] ionic liquids

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is one of the most widely used techniques for surface characterization. Analysis of XPS data is challenging and requires the analyst to fit the data with synthetic line shapes to reach physically meaningful interpretations. Experimental spectral envelopes, however, are complex and display asymmetric features that are often ignored or attributed to additional chemical components. The high-resolution XPS spectra of [C 4 C 1 Pyrr][NTf 2 ] and [C 8 C 1 Im][NTf 2 ] all exhibit a degree of asymmetry which is systematically observed at the higher binding energy side of photoemission envelopes. Here, we present the development of a refined fitting procedure for XPS spectra of these ionic liquid-based systems which include (a) Shirley background offset necessary to account for the insulator-like region and (b) spectral asymmetry in C 1s and N 1s regions. Further, Shirley and trapezoid components are applied to compensate for inelastic scattering taking place during electron transitions as high as 7.8 eV above the start of the fitting region in C 1s high-resolution spectrum. To demonstrate the fitness of this model, we present an analysis of a 2:1 mixture of [C 4 C 1 Pyrr][NTf 2 ]: [C 8 C 1 Im][NTf 2 ].

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP. One Step Partitioning Process of MinorActinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products

Research conducted in this project focused on speciation characterization of the ALSEP extraction system (similar to the TALSPEAK-like application) which addresses recovery of minor actinides and lanthanides from PUREX raffinate. The ALSEP (Actinide-Lanthanide Separation) system proposes a trivalent minor actinide/lanthanide group extraction followed by a selective actinide strip to effectively partition minor actinides, lanthanides, and other fission products. The group extraction is achieved by a mixed organic solvent, combining acidic and neutral extracting ligands. The objective of this work is investigation the interactions of the acidic and neutral ligands with each other in the extraction organic solvent and with desired metals. Four combinations of a cation-exchange ligand (either HDEHP or HEH[EHP]) and a neutral solvating ligand (either TODGA or T2EHDGA) in n-dodecane were studied. Interligand dimers in these combinations were investigated with NMR and FTIR, the strongest interaction was observed for HDEHP+TODGA and weakest for T2EHDGA+HEH[EHP]. Complexes of the trivalent Am and lanthanides Nd, Eu, Ho, Pr in these binary ligand mixtures were probed with spectroscopic (UV–vis, time-resolved fluorescence, XAFS and SAXS-spectroscopies) and extraction (Job’s plot, slope analysis) methods; co-extracted water and nitric acid were analyzed by titration methods. Comparison of the collected spectra showed significant shifting for both DGA ligands with HDEHP, while both combinations of HEH[EHP]+DGA displayed much smaller spectral changes. Data were modeled with HypSpec program, and stability constants for extracted complexes were calculated. Aggregation in these systems were studied by SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) spectroscopy and interfacial tension, size of aggregates were measured. Two PhD students graduated (2017, 2018) and one student continues her PhD study.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

A Viscoelastic Analysis of Inelastic X-ray Scattering Spectra from He/Ne Mixtures

A generalization of the viscoelastic model to binary systems has been applied to analyze inelastic X-ray scattering spectra from a He{sub 0.8}Ne{sub 0.2} mixture. Experiments have been carried out at temperature T = 82 K and number density n = 18.5 nm{sup -3}. In order to test the reliability of such a generalization, we measured a few representative spectra. The model exhaustively describes the experimental data and provides a determination of the spectral densities of the separate mixture components as well as those of both density and concentration fluctuations. These results can be considered as a first test for further developments.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Surface evolution of synthetic bilgewater emulsion

Bilgewater is oil-in-water emulsion emitted from shipboard and it is a source of pollution to the ocean. Wastewater treatment needs fundamental knowledge of the bilgewater surface changes; however, limited information is available. We have reported the first surface characterization of synthetic bilgewater emulsion using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) coupled with optical microscopy. A NAVY synthetic bilgewater emulsion consisting of three oils and a detergent mixture is used as the synthetic bilgewater model. Both fresh and aged emulsion samples are analyzed to determine their droplet size distributions (DSDs) and surface chemical compositions. Our results show that fresh emulsions are largely mono-modal with hydrocarbon fragments as the main surface composition. Aged emulsions are also monomodal with slightly larger size. Both SIMS spectral comparison and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) show that some surfactant components appear on the fresh emulsion surface immediately while larger molecular weight components appear at the aged bilge droplet surface. Our results indicate that the oil-water interface evolves after emulsion droplet forms. More importantly, surface evolution not only changes the bilgewater DSD but also surface chemical composition and reactivity.

bilgewater, droplet size distribution, ToF-SIMS, s↗