Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Structural Effects”

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.

At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Clustering Effects on the Structure of Ionomer Solutions: A Combined SANS and Simulations Study

Ionic assemblies, or clusters, determine the structure and dynamics of ionizable polymers and enable their many applications. Fundamental to attaining well-defined materials is controlling the balance between van der Waals interactions that govern the backbone behavior and the forces that drive the formation of ionic clusters. Here, using small angle neutron scattering and fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, the structure of a model ionomer, sulfonated polystyrene in toluene solutions, was investigated as the cluster cohesion was tweaked by the addition of ethanol. The static structure factor was measured by both techniques and correlated with the size of the ionic clusters as the polymer concentration was varied. The conjunction of SANS results and molecular insight from MD simulations enabled the determination of the structure in these inhomogeneous networks on multiple length scales. Additionally, we find that across the entire concentration range studied, a network driven by the formation of ionic clusters was formed, where the size of the clusters drives the inhomogeneity of these systems. Tweaking the ionic clusters through the addition of ethanol impacts the packing of the sulfonated groups, their shape, and their size distribution, which in turn, affects the structure of these networks.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of Molecular Structure of Quinones and Carbon Electrode Surfaces on the Interfacial Electron Transfer Process

Quinones can undergo thermodynamically reversible proton-coupled electron transfer reactions and are being applied as electroactive compounds in aqueous organic batteries. However, the electrochemical reversibility of these compounds is affected not only by their molecular structure but also by the properties of a carbon-based electrode surface. This study combines experimental and theoretical approaches to understand this dependence. Specifically, we study the electron transfer kinetics of two synthesized quinone derivatives and two commercially available ones with a glassy carbon, a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, and a high-edge-density graphite electrode (HEDGE). The electrochemical reversibility is notably improved on the HEDGE, which shows a higher density of defects and presents oxygenated functional groups at its surface. The electron transfer kinetics are controlled by adsorbed species onto the HEDGE. Molecular dynamics simulation and quantum mechanics calculations suggest defects with oxygen-containing functional groups, such as C-O and C$=$O, on HEDGE surfaces drive the interaction with the functional groups of the molecules, during physisorption from van der Waals forces. The presence of sulfonic acid side groups and a greater number of aromatic rings in the molecular structure may contribute to a higher stabilization of quinone derivatives on HEDGEs. We propose that high-performance carbon-based electrodes can be obtained without catalysts for organic batteries, by the engineering of carbon-based surfaces with edge-like defects and oxygenated functional groups.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effects of Protein Structure on Iron–Polypeptide Vibrational Dynamic Coupling in Cytochrome c

Cytochrome c (Cyt c) has a heme covalently bound to the polypeptide via a Cys-X-X-Cys-His (CXXCH) linker that is located in the interface region for protein–protein interactions. To determine whether the polypeptide matrix influences iron vibrational dynamics, nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) measurements were performed on 57 Fe-labeled ferric Hydrogenobacter thermophilus cytochrome c-552, and variants M13V, M13V/K22M, and A7F, which have structural modifications that alter the composition or environment of the CXXCH pentapeptide loop. Simulations of the NRVS data indicate that the 150–325 cm –1 region is dominated by N His –Fe–S Met axial ligand and polypeptide motions, while the 325–400 cm –1 region shows dominant contributions from ν(Fe–N Pyr ) (Pyr = pyrrole) and other heme-based modes. Diagnostic spectral signatures that directly relate to structural features of the heme active site are identified using a quantum chemistry-centered normal coordinate analysis (QCC-NCA). In particular, spectral features that directly correlate with CXXCH loop stiffness, the strength of the Fe–His interaction, and the degree of heme distortion are identified. Cumulative results from our investigation suggest that compared to the wild type (wt), variants M13V and M13V/K22M have a more rigid CXXCH pentapeptide segment, a stronger Fe–N His interaction, and a more ruffled heme. Conversely, the A7F variant has a more planar heme and a weaker Fe–NHis bond. These results are correlated to the observed changes in reduction potential between wt protein and the variants studied here. Lastly, we discuss the implications of these results for Cyt c biogenesis and electron transfer.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effect of Ligand Structural Isomerism in Formation of Calcium Coordination Networks

Using different structural isomers (2,5-; 2,4-; 2;6-; 3,4-; 3,5-) of pyridinedicarboxylic acid, nine calcium-based coordination networks were synthesized under hydro-/solvothermal conditions and/or were produced via solvent recrystallization of previously synthesized compounds. The coordination networks reported were characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermal methods. They show diverse structural topologies, depending on the ligand geometry and coordinated solvent molecules, with inorganic connectivity motifs ranging from isolated octahedra to infinite chains, layer and a three-dimensional dense framework. The as-synthesized and desolvated networks further show structural transformation to hydrated phases through dissolution/reformation pathways. The process is likely driven by the high hydration energy of the calcium metal center.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effects of Zeolite Structural Confinement on Adsorption Thermodynamics and Reaction Kinetics for Monomolecular Cracking and Dehydrogenation of n -Butane

The results of zeolite structure on the kinetics of n -butane monomolecular cracking and dehydrogenation are investigated for eight zeolites differing in the topology of channels and cages. Monte Carlo simulations are used to calculate enthalpy and entropy changes for adsorption (Δ H ads-H+ and Δ S ads-H+ ) of gas-phase alkanes onto Brønsted protons. These parameters are used to extract intrinsic activation enthalpies (Δ H int ‡ ), entropies (Δ S int ‡ ), and rate coefficients ( k int ) from measured data. As Δ S ads-H+ decreases (i.e., as confinement increases), Δ H int ‡ and Δ S int ‡ for terminal cracking and dehydrogenation decrease for a given channel topology. These findings, together with positive values observed for Δ S int ‡ , indicate that the transition states for these reactions resemble products. For central cracking (an earlier transition state), Δ H int ‡ is relatively constant, while Δ S int ‡ increases as Δ S ads-H+ decreases because less entropy is lost upon protonation of the alkane. Concurrently, selectivities to terminal cracking and dehydrogenation decrease relative to central cracking because Δ S int ‡ decreases for the former reactions. Depending on channel topology, changes in the measured rate coefficients ( k app ) with confinement are driven by changes in k int or by changes in the adsorption equilibrium constant ( K ads-H+ ). Values of Δ S int ‡ and Δ H int ‡ are positively correlated, consistent with weaker interactions between the zeolite and transition state and with the greater freedom of movement of product fragments within more spacious pores. These results differ from earlier reports that Δ H int ‡ and Δ S int ‡ are structure-insensitive and that kappis dominated by K ads-H+ . They also indicate that Δ S ads-H+ is a meaningful descriptor of confinement for zeolites having similar channel topologies.

Janda, Amber↗
DOE OSTI2025

Chemical versus physical pressure effects on the structure transition of bilayer nickelates

The observation of high-T c superconductivity (HTSC) in concomitant with pressure-induced orthorhombic-tetragonal structural transition in bilayer La 3 Ni 2 O 7 has sparked hopes of achieving HTSC by stabilizing the tetragonal phase at ambient pressure. Chemical pressure, introduced by replacing La 3+ with smaller rare-earth R 3+ has been considered as a potential route. However, our experimental and theoretical investigation reveals that such substitutions, despite causing lattice contraction, actually produce stronger orthorhombic distortions, requiring higher pressures for the structural transition. A linear extrapolation of P c versus the average size of A-site cations (<$r_A$>), yields a putative critical value of (<$r_A$>) ≈ 1.23 Å for P c ≈ 1 bar. The negative correlation between P c and (<$r_A$>) indicates that replacing La 3+ with smaller R 3+ ions is unlikely to reduce P c to ambient pressure. Instead, substituting La 3+ with larger cations like Sr 2+ or Ba 2+ might be a feasible approach. Our results provide guidance for realizing ambient-pressure HTSC in bilayer nickelates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Helium Irradiation and Implantation Effects on the Structure of Amorphous Silicon Oxycarbide

Despite recent interest in amorphous ceramics for a variety of nuclear applications, many details of their structure before and after irradiation/implantation remain unknown. Here we investigated the short-range order of amorphous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) alloys by using the atomic pair-distribution function (PDF) obtained from electron diffraction. The PDF results show that the structure of SiOC alloys are nearly unchanged after both irradiation up to 30 dpa and He implantation up to 113 at%. TEM characterization shows no sign of crystallization, He bubble or void formation, or segregation in all irradiated samples. Irradiation results in a decreased number of Si-O bonds and an increased number of Si-C and C-O bonds. This study sheds light on the design of radiation-tolerant materials that do not experience helium swelling for advanced nuclear reactor applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Effect of Chain Structure on the Miscibility of Cellulose Acetate Blends. A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study

The miscibility of cellulose ester blends with varying degree of substitution (DS) of acetates along the chain backbone has been investigated using small-angle neutron scattering. The difference in degree of substitution (ΔDS) between the two components in the blend was systematically varied from 0.06 to 0.63 where each blend was found to be a partially miscible, two-phase system. Miscibility between the two components initially decreases as ΔDS of the blends increases. The Flory interaction parameter, χ, concurrently increases with increasing ΔDS as a result of diminishing van der Waals forces between components. The cellulose acetates with lower degree of substitution, which contain more hydroxyl substituents, however, demonstrate greater miscibility even at higher ΔDS. This is interpreted to be the result of favorable hydrogen bonding between blend components that are possible in the presence of more hydroxyl groups. FT-IR data support this interpretation, indicating an increase in hydrogen bonding in a blend having a lower DS component. These results indicate that while an increase in structural differences between cellulose acetate blend components limits miscibility, the presence of hydroxyl groups on the chain promotes mixing. This competition accentuates the significant impact specific interactions have on blend miscibility for these copolymers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Self-assembly of highly asymmetric, poly(ionic liquid)-rich diblock copolymers and the effects of simple structural modification on phase behaviour

A series of thermally processable, phase-separating diblock copolymers made via sequential ATRP of styrene and styrenic ionic liquid (IL) monomers with various alkyl imidazolium substituents were synthesized to cover a wide range of volume fractions, most notably those on the IL-rich side of the phase diagram. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis was used to confirm melt-state (and glassy state) phase behavior in which all four classic equilibrium diblock copolymer morphologies – body-centered cubic spheres (S BCC ), hexagonally packed cylinders (Hex), lamellae (Lam), and notably, bicontinuous gyroid (Gyr) – were observed. These PS-PIL diblock copolymers were found to have a high degree of conformational asymmetry and/or electrostatic cohesion within the PIL block, highlighted by the shift of the Lam phase window with boundaries falling between f PIL = 0.31 and 0.55. Finally, variation of the alkyl group appeared to influence the strength of the Flory-like interaction parameter of the system, χ PS/PIL , such that simple substitution of methyl by n-butyl on the imidazolium IL substituent resulted in the emergence of the (notoriously segregation-sensitive) Gyr phase, superseding the persistent coexistence of Lam and Hex in the methyl-substituted imidazolium diblock copolymer phase diagram.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

The Effects of Polyolefin Structure and Source on Pyrolysis-Derived Plastic Oil Composition

Seven types of plastics were pyrolyzed in a fluidized bed reactor: post-consumer recycled (PCR) high-density polyethylene (HDPE), PCR polypropylene (PP), virgin resins of varying molecular weights of HDPE, virgin resins of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and (PP). Pyrolysis produced non-condensable gases (C1-C3), liquid phase products (C4-C40), and solids (C40+ and chars), with alkane, alkene, alkadiene, aromatic, and multi-cycloaromatics as the predominant compounds. Polymer structure had the greatest impact on product distribution, with minimal influence from molecular weight. Branches in polyethylene (PE) acted as thermal defects initiating degradation. Higher branch density in PE led to increased concentrations of aromatics, branched alkanes, and internal alkenes. PP and PE exhibited distinct degradation mechanisms, with PP requiring less energy for decomposition and yielding more oil. Here, pyrolysis oil from PCR HDPE and PCR PP contained a higher proportion of branched compounds. Additives in PCR plastics may promote isomerization during pyrolysis.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗