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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 667 records · Page 37
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Band-gap corrected density functional theory calculations for InAs/GaSb type II superlattices

We performed pseudopotential based density functional theory (DFT) calculations for GaSb/InAs type II superlattices (T2SLs), with bandgap errors from the local density approximation mitigated by applying an empirical method to correct the bulk bandgaps. Specifically, this work (1) compared the calculated bandgaps with experimental data and non-self-consistent atomistic methods; (2) calculated the T2SL band structures with varying structural parameters; (3) investigated the interfacial effects associated with the no-common-atom heterostructure; and (4) studied the strain effect due to lattice mismatch between the two components. This work demonstrates the feasibility of applying the DFT method to more exotic heterostructures and defect problems related to this material system.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Origin of ultralow phonon transport and strong anharmonicity in lead-free halide perovskites

All-inorganic lead-free halide double perovskites offer a promising avenue toward non-toxic, stable optoelectronic materials, properties that are missing in their prominent lead-containing counterparts. Their large thermopowers and high carrier mobilities also make them promising for thermoelectric applications. Here, in this work, we present a first-principles study of the lattice vibrations and thermal transport behaviors of Cs 2 SnI 6 and γ-CsSnI 3 , two prototypical compounds in this materials class. We show that conventional static zero temperature density functional theory (DFT) calculations severely underestimate the lattice thermal conductivities (κ l ) of these compounds, indicating the importance of dynamical effects. By calculating anharmonic renormalized phonon dispersions, we show that some optic phonons significantly harden with increasing temperature (T), which reduces the scattering of heat carrying phonons and enhances calculated κ l values when compared with standard zero temperature DFT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that coherence contributions to κ l , arising from wave like phonon tunneling, are important in both compounds. Overall, calculated κ l with temperature-dependent interatomic force constants, built from particle and coherence contributions, are in good agreement with available measured data, for both magnitude and temperature dependence. Large anharmonicity combined with low phonon group velocities yield ultralow values, with room temperature values of 0.26 W/m-K and 0.72 W/m-K predicted for Cs 2 SnI 6 and γ-CsSnI 3 , respectively. We further show that the lattice dynamics of these compounds are highly anharmonic, largely mediated by rotation of the SnI6 octahedra and localized modes originating from Cs rattling motion. These thermal characteristics combined with their previously computed excellent electronic properties make these perovskites promising candidates for optoelectronic and room temperature thermoelectric applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Machine-Learned Force Field Modeling of Metal Organic Frameworks for CO2 Direct Air Capture

To cope with legacy greenhouse gas emissions and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is funding efforts to develop direct air capture (DAC), a method for removing CO2 directly from air. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have been well studied as DAC sorbent materials due to their tunable structural and compositional properties. Thermodynamic simulations using force fields are often used to provide predictions of a material’s performance in many separations. However, these force fields often make assumptions about bonds and the physics of the adsorption process. A new class of force fields called machine-learned force fields (MLFFs) use machine learning to form quantitative relationships between a material’s chemical structure and the forces and energies predicted by more accurate quantum mechanical calculations, such as dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT). In this work, models were developed to achieve DFT-level accuracy for the forces and energies associated with MOF flexibility and CO2 adsorption using MLFFs. These methods were parametrized based on thousands of DFT calculations of CO2 in flexible MOFs and used to predict MOF structural properties as well as CO2 adsorption in several MOFs.

Findley, John↗
DOE OSTI2023

Interpretable, Extensible Linear Regression Model for Electron Density Prediction

This code allows us to generate a model to predict ground state electron densities directly from atomic structure thereby bypassing the need to perform direct DFT calculations. It is based on many body correlation descriptors defined in https://arxiv.org/abs/2004.14442 (IM release numbers: LLNL-JRNL- 808791 and LLNL-JRNL-840698). The code reads in electron densities, in CHGCAR format used by the DFT code VASP, calculates many-body correlation descriptors based on atoms surrounding a grid point and then uses linear regression to obtain the fitting parameters.

Kumar, Shashikant↗
DOE OSTI2014

Structures and thermoelectric properties of double-filled (Ca{sub x}Ce{sub 1−x})Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} skutterudites

The structures and thermoelectric properties of the double-filled (Ca{sub x}Ce{sub 1−x})Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} series (x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) have been studied using a combined experimental and computational methods. Compounds of (Ca{sub x}Ce{sub 1−x})Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} were obtained only for x=0, 0.5, and 1. Composition with x=0.25 was found to be a mixture of x=0 and 0.5 compounds, and composition with x=0.75 was found to be a mixture of x=1 and 0.5 compounds, respectively. Our conclusions on phase formation are supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In Ca{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12,} Ca substitution in the Ce site of CeFe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} leads to high hole concentrations, resulting in stronger semimetal transport as compared to CeFe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12}. Ca{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} yields a slightly higher ZT value than that of CeFe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12}, which is attributed to its lower lattice thermal conductivity. Phonon mode calculations adopting a three-particle bending model suggest that thermal conductivity is reduced upon Ca substitution because of an additional vibration mode which involves both Ca and Ce atoms. - Graphical abstract: Detailed structural information to correlate with thermoelectric properties in a series of double-filled (Ca{sub x}Ce{sub 1−x})Fe{sub 4}Sb{sub 12} skutterudite samples were obtained using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and first principle calculations. - Highlights: • Research focus on phase stability of CaCe double-filled p-type skutterudite. • Stable structure forms for an equiatomic occupancy of the voids by Ca and Ce. • Samples feature two-phase mixtures with variations of filling atoms ratio. • Phase stablility is investigated by DFT total energy calculations. • Sample with Equiatomic occupancy of Ca and Ce show higher ZT.

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

Ternary alloy material prediction using genetic algorithm and cluster expansion

This thesis summarizes our study on the crystal structures prediction of Fe-V-Si system using genetic algorithm and cluster expansion. Our goal is to explore and look for new stable compounds. We started from the current ten known experimental phases, and calculated formation energies of those compounds using density functional theory (DFT) package, namely, VASP. The convex hull was generated based on the DFT calculations of the experimental known phases. Then we did random search on some metal rich (Fe and V) compositions and found that the lowest energy structures were body centered cube (bcc) underlying lattice, under which we did our computational systematic searches using genetic algorithm and cluster expansion. Among hundreds of the searched compositions, thirteen were selected and DFT formation energies were obtained by VASP. The stability checking of those thirteen compounds was done in reference to the experimental convex hull. We found that the composition, 24-8-16, i.e., Fe 3 VSi 2 is a new stable phase and it can be very inspiring to the future experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Near surface stoichiometry in UO 2 : A density functional theory study

The mechanisms of oxygen stoichiometry variation in UO 2 at different temperature and oxygen partial pressure are important for understanding the dynamics of microstructure in these crystals. However, very limited experimental studies have been performed to understand the atomic structure of UO 2 near surface and defect effects of near surface on stoichiometry in which the system can exchange atoms with the external reservoir. In this study, the near (110) surface relaxation and stoichiometry in UO 2 have been studied with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. On the basis of the point-defect model (PDM), a general expression for the near surface stoichiometric variation is derived by using DFT total-energy calculations and atomistic thermodynamics, in an attempt to pin down the mechanisms of oxygen exchange between the gas environment and defected UO 2 . By using the derived expression, it is observed that, under poor oxygen conditions, the stoichiometry of near surface is switched from hyperstoichiometric at 300 K with a depth around 3 nm to near-stoichiometric at 1000 K and hypostoichiometric at 2000 K. Furthermore, at very poor oxygen concentrations and high temperatures, our results also suggest that the bulk of the UO 2 prefers to be hypostoichiometric, although the surface is near-stoichiometric.

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

Hydrated Metal and Metal-Nitrate Complexes in Water: Full Lanthanide(III) Series plus Miscellaneous Metal Ions

This is a dataset of hydrated metal complexes and metal–nitrate hydrated complexes intended for public use, reproducibility, and downstream structural analysis. A key feature is coverage across the full lanthanide(III) series (La–Lu), enabling systematic comparisons of coordination motifs and bonding trends across the entire lanthanide sequence. In addition to the lanthanides, the dataset also includes other metal ions such as UO2(VI), Fe(II), and Fe(III). The dataset provides optimized geometries for hydrated and nitrate-containing hydrated complexes, together with representative ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) trajectories saved in standard XYZ formats. The accompanying NWChem input decks enable reproduction of the reported calculations and provide a starting point for extending the simulations to related coordination environments. Computationally, DFT calculations employ the B3LYP functional with DFT-D3BJ dispersion corrections and a COSMO continuum solvent model (dielectric constant 78.4) to represent solvation beyond the explicitly treated first hydration shell. AIMD simulations are performed with the NWChem qmd module at 298 K, integrating nuclear motion with the velocity-Verlet algorithm and controlling temperature using a Nosé–Hoover thermostat. Trajectories are approximately 4.8 ps in length and are used primarily to assess short-time stability of candidate coordination motifs, including (for lanthanides) differences between 8- versus 9-water coordination and comparisons between nitrate-bound and nitrate-free hydrated complexes.

Dinpajooh, Mohammadhasan [Pacific Northwest Nation↗
DOE OSTI2016

Low rank approximation in G 0 W 0 calculations

The single particle energies obtained in a Kohn-Sham density functional theory (DFT) calculation are generally known to be poor approximations to electron excitation energies that are measured in tr ansport, tunneling and spectroscopic experiments such as photo-emission spectroscopy. The correction to these energies can be obtained from the poles of a single particle Green’s function derived from a many-body perturbation theory. From a computational perspective, the accuracy and efficiency of such an approach depends on how a self energy term that properly accounts for dynamic screening of electrons is approximated. The G 0 W 0 approximation is a widely used technique in which the self energy is expressed as the convolution of a noninteracting Green’s function (G 0 ) and a screened Coulomb interaction (W 0 ) in the frequency domain. The computational cost associated with such a convolution is high due to the high complexity of evaluating W 0 at multiple frequencies. In this paper, we discuss how the cost of G 0 W 0 calculation can be reduced by constructing a low rank approximation to the frequency dependent part of W 0 . In particular, we examine the effect of such a low rank approximation on the accuracy of the G 0 W 0 approximation. We also discuss how the numerical convolution of G 0 and W 0 can be evaluated efficiently and accurately by using a contour deformation technique with an appropriate choice of the contour.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Elimination of the linearization error in APW/LAPW basis set: Dirac-Kohn-Sham equations

Here, a detailed account of the implementation of equations of the relativistic density functional theory (RDFT) using basis sets of APW/LAPW type with flexible extensions provided by local orbitals is given. Earlier discoveries of the importance of the high derivative local orbital (HDLO) extension of the APW/LAPW basis set for enhancing the accuracy of DFT calculations are confirmed using a fully relativistic approach and α – U as an example. High energy local orbitals (HELO's), however indispensable for GW calculations, are considerably less efficient in enhancing the accuracy of DFT applications. It is shown that a simplified approach to the relativistic effects, namely considering them only inside the muffin-tin (MT) spheres, produces basically identical results (as compared to fully relativistic approach) for the electronic free energy of the five materials considered in this work. By comparing the effect of the simplified approach on the electronic free energy with its effect on the electronic kinetic energy we conclude that the insensitivity of the free energy to the way we describe the relativistic effects in the interstitial region is related to the variational property of this quantity.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Surfactant inhibition mechanisms of carbonate mineral dissolution in shale

Surfactants are common additives to hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) fluids, and are under consideration for amendment to supercritical carbon dioxide for geological carbon sequestration (GCS). The effect of a common anionic surfactant, internal olefin sulfonate (IOS), on mineral dissolution from shale into brine was evaluated. When added to brine at concentrations exceeding the critical micelle concentration (94 mg/L), IOS inhibited carbonate mineral dissolution in an Eagle Ford shale, as well as dissolution of optical quality calcite (the dominant carbonate in the shale). Laser profilometry images provide spatial resolution across > 3 orders of magnitude, and indicate that IOS addition to brine both enhances the formation of new etch pits in calcite, and impedes their further growth. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry surface profiles show for the first time that IOS preferentially adsorbs at calcite pit edges versus flat calcite surfaces (i.e., terraces). Surface pressure calculations, sulfur K-edge near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy results, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations support this observation; the DFT results indicate that the sulfonate head group of the IOS molecule binds strongly to the calcite step site as compared to the terrace site. The S K-edge NEXAFS results indicate that IOS adsorbed more to etched calcite surfaces compared to smooth calcite surfaces. Overall, the results indicate that weak adsorption on flat calcite surfaces (i.e., terraces) disrupts water structure and enhances mass transfer of dissolution, while strong adsorption on calcite pit edges displaces adsorbed water and inhibits further etch pit growth. This work provides the first direct evidence of preferential adsorption of IOS to etched calcite surfaces and links it to macroscopic dissolution kinetics. Finally, this work has implications for surfactant-containing fluids used in hydraulic fracturing, EOR and potentially GCS for subsurface injection into carbonate rich reservoirs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Orbital-free extension to Kohn-Sham density functional theory equation of state calculations: Application to silicon dioxide

The liquid regime equation of state of silicon dioxide SiO 2 is calculated via quantum molecular dynamics in the density range of 5 to 15 g/cc and with temperatures from 0.5 to 100 eV, including the α-quartz and stishovite phase Hugoniot curves. Below 8 eV calculations are based on Kohn-Sham density functional theory (DFT), and above 8 eV a new orbital-free DFT formulation, presented here, based on matching Kohn-Sham DFT calculations is employed. Recent experimental shock data are found to be in very good agreement with the current results. Finally both experimental and simulation data are used in constructing a new liquid regime equation of state table for SiO 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Unexpected features in the optical vibrational spectra of δ-UO 3

Uranium trioxide displays a complex chemical phase space, with at least six structurally distinct polymorphs accessible via different synthetic routes. Remarkably, despite its technological importance, full structural and electronic characterization of these polymorphs remains an open area of study. δ-UO 3 in particular has attracted significant theoretical attention due to its high point group and space group symmetries, having U (VI) in octahedral coordination with polyhedra interconnected through corner-sharing to build a 3-D cubic lattice with space group symmetry Pm-3m and Z = 1. Critical experimental information, such as its optical vibrational spectra, are not known. Here, we study the Raman and infrared (IR) spectra of δ-UO 3 together with the support of density functional theory (DFT) calculations for spectral interpretation. A symmetry analysis of the DFT-predicted phonon eigenmodes indicates that δ-UO 3 should have two IR active modes and no Raman active modes. Experimental results, however, indicate significant Raman scattering from δ-UO 3 . We therefore propose four potential explanations for this apparent contradiction: a possible tetragonal distortion to the cubic cell, the existence of a surface impurity layer, vacancy scattering, and structural activation of Raman signal. We use powder X-ray diffraction and confocal Raman spectroscopy with depth profiling to investigate these possibilities and suggest future experiments to explore this phenomenon in more detail. Understanding the lattice dynamics of δ-UO 3 is important for identification of technogenic U phases via Raman and infrared spectroscopy and our results indicate that the simple understanding of δ-UO 3 as a high-symmetry cubic structure should be reconsidered.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2020

Single crystal structure, vibrational spectroscopy, gas sorption and antimicrobial properties of a new inorganic acidic diphosphates material (NH 4 ) 2 Mg(H 2 P 2 O 7 ) 2 • 2 H 2 O

We report on the successful synthesis of diammonium magnesium dihydrogendiphosphate (V) dihydrate compound (NH 4 ) 2 Mg(H 2 P 2 O 7 ) 2 •2H 2 O using a wet chemical route. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and micro Raman spectroscopy are employed to characterize the compound. We demonstrate, using a multidisciplinary approach, that this compound is ideal for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture in addition to other anthropogenic gasses. We show here -from both an experimental as well as from a density functional theory (DFT) calculations routes- the potential for adopting this compound into domestic air-conditioning units (ACUs). From these experiments, the resistance to bacterial growth is also investigated, which is critical for the adoption of this compound in ACUs. Our compound exhibits a higher methane (CH 4 ) sorptivity as compared to CO 2 at 25 °C and 45 °C under pressures up to 50 bars. Furthermore, DFT electronic structure calculations are used to compute the main structural and electronic properties of the compound, taking into consideration the characteristics of the identified pores as a function of the progressive CO 2 vs. CH 4 loadings. Finally, the antibacterial assay reveals a strong antibacterial activity against the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with a large zone of inhibition against the tested E. Coli, S. Aureus and K. Pneumonia

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Rhenium-Selenido Corroles: Reflections on 5d Metalloporphyrins and Metallocorroles as Triplet Emitters and Photosensitizers

Following the successful synthesis of rhenium-oxido, rhenium-imido, and rhenium-sulfido corroles, a series of para-X-substituted rhenium-selenido triarylcorroles (X = OCH 3 , CH 3 , H, F, CF 3 ) have been prepared in 70–76% yields. A one-pot, two-step procedure was used, analogous to that used for ReS corroles, involving rhenium insertion via high-temperature reaction of Re 2 (CO) 10 and free-base corroles in refluxing decalin, followed by exposure to PCl 3 (which is thought to deoxygenate ReO corroles formed under the reaction) and elemental selenium. An analogous procedure, however, failed to yield rhenium-tellurido corroles, presumably reflecting, according to DFT calculations, the limited stability of these species. Unlike ReO corroles, ReS and ReSe corroles were found not to exhibit phosphorescence in the NIR-I regime (600–1000 nm); nor did they sensitize singlet oxygen formation. In the hope of obtaining a broader perspective of this negative result, we also examined ReN porphyrins and found them not to phosphoresce or to sensitize singlet oxygen formation. These results were explained by DFT and TDDFT calculations in terms of low-energy triplet states, which are not energetic enough to excite molecular oxygen to its lowest singlet state. Whether some of the new Re corroles exhibit phosphorescence in the NIR-II regime remains an interesting question for future investigation.

Aromatic compounds↗
DOE OSTI2015

Correlations in rare-earth transition-metal permanent magnets

It is investigated how electron-electron correlations affect the intrinsic properties of rare-earth transition-metal magnets. Focusing on orbital moment and anisotropy, we perform model calculations for 3d-4f alloys and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations for NdCo{sub 5}. On an independent-electron level, the use of a single Slater determinant with broken spin symmetry introduces Hund's rule correlations, which govern the behavior of rare-earth ions and of alloys described by the local spin density approximation (LSDA) and LSDA + U approximations to DFT. By contrast, rare-earth ions in intermetallics involve configuration interactions between two or more Slater determinants and lead to phenomena such as spin-charge distribution. Analyzing DFT as a Legendre transformation and using Bethe's crystal-field theory, we show that the corresponding density functionals are very different from familiar LSDA-type expressions and outline the effect of spin-charge separation on the magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Lattice dynamics and thermodynamics for δ -plutonium from density functional theory

Here, we present results from density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the lattice dynamics (phonons) and thermodynamics for δ-phase plutonium. The fully relativistic electronic structure is calculated assuming a three-dimensional noncollinear magnetic structure in conjunction with DFT and the general gradient approximation for the electron exchange and correlation interactions. The electronic-structure model is further enhanced by addressing strong orbital-orbital coupling via the conventional orbital-polarization (OP) scheme as has been successfully done for plutonium. The temperature dependence of the phonons is calculated within the self-consistent ab initio lattice dynamics approach. The obtained phonons compare very well with measurements although a modest overestimation of the transverse L-point [ξξξ] phonon is acknowledged. Calculated thermal vibration amplitudes and the associated Debye-Waller temperatures are close to experiments. Lattice, electronic, and magnetic contributions to the heat capacity are predicted and consistent to a few percent with that deduced from experimental data. Good agreement is only achieved when a magnetic contribution to the specific heat is recognized. The parameter-free DFT+OP electronic model is thus capable of predicting phonon properties and thermodynamic behavior of δ-phase plutonium rather accurately.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗