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Results for “atomic-scale pairing”

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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71 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

The effect of local chemical ordering on Frank-Read source activation in a refractory multi-principal element alloy

In this work, we investigate the operation of Frank-Read (FR) sources in a refractory multi-principal element alloy (MPEA). Simulations of discrete dislocation motion in MPEAs is enabled by the development of a phase field dislocation dynamics model that treats the atomic-scale fluctuations in lattice energies across the glide plane, present due to local ordering in the chemical composition within the nominally random MPEA atomic structure. We consider, through simulation, a range of length scales over which ordering occurs, varying from short-range lengths, a few times dislocation core width, to long-range lengths, an order of magnitude longer than the core. Characteristic of this body-centered cubic MPEA, the simulations also include screw/edge character dependence in glide resistance, as informed by atomic scale simulation. The critical stresses to activate the source for the same source size are found to be statistically distributed, as a direct consequence of the underlying variation in lattice energy. Furthermore, analysis of critical state for activating edge and screw FR sources in the MPEA reveals that FR source operation occurs via a two-step mechanism, involving athermal kink-pair formation, unlike the conventional FR source operation in a material with no composition fluctuations. This mechanism lowers the average critical stress required to activate the FR source and causes the statistical dispersion in critical stress to depend on the range of composition ordering. More importantly, it leads to a more severe dependence of source strength on FR source length than predicted by line tension alone.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

First 14-Layer Twinned Hexagonal Perovskite Ba 14 Mn 1.75 Ta 10.5 O 42 : Atomic-Scale Imaging of Cation Ordering

Formation of hexagonal perovskite with mixed cubic and hexagonal stacking of AO 3 layers becomes more and more difficult when the number of layers in the stacking repeating unit increases. So far, the highest number of layers reported for twinned hexagonal perovskite is 12, with alternative 5 consecutive cubic layers and one hexagonal layer in the (ccccch) 2 sequence. Here, we present the unexpected formation of a 14-layer twinned hexagonal perovskite with a stacking sequence (cccccch) 2 for the BaO 3 layers on the Ba 14 Mn 1.75 Ta 10.5 O 42 (Ba 8 MnTa 6 O 24 ) composition, the first example of twinned hexagonal perovskite with a periodicity exceeding 12-layers. The B-cation and vacancy distributions are characterized by multiple efficient and complementary techniques including neutron and synchrotron powder diffraction, scanning transmission electron microscopy-high angle annular dark field (STEM-HAADF) imaging, and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping. Atomic-resolution STEM-HAADF imaging and EELS/EDS elemental mapping enables direct observation of high-spin d 5 Mn 2+ cation ordering in the d 0 Ta 5+ host, thus demonstrating the great potential of this technique for probing cation ordering and performing structure determination. Moreover, atomic mapping allows for the observation of local defect structure variants, which can be a powerful tool for future new material design. The large high-spin Mn 2+ cation and Ta-vacancy pair formation in face-sharing octahedral sites play key roles on both the stabilization of this 14-layer twinned hexagonal perovskite structure and the Mn 2+ ordering in the central corner-sharing octahedral (CSO) positions within the five-consecutive CSO layers. Here, compared with the 8-layer twinned Ba 8 ZnTa 6 O 24 material, the low quality factor in microwave frequency and enhanced ultraviolet and visible light absorption of Ba 14 Mn 1.75 Ta 10.5 O 42 as well as the photocatalytic activity on water splitting are discussed in terms of the presence of high-spin Mn 2+ cations in the structure.

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

PdCu Nanoalloy Electrocatalysts in Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Role of Composition and Phase State in Catalytic Synergy

The catalytic synergy of nanoalloy catalysts depends on the nanoscale size, composition, phase state, and surface properties. This report describes findings of an investigation of their roles in the enhancement of electrocatalytic activity of PdCu alloy nanoparticle catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this work Pd n Cu 100–n nanoalloys with controlled composition and subtle differences in size and phase state were synthesized by two different wet chemical methods. Detailed electrochemical characterization was performed to determine the surface properties and the catalytic activities. The atomic-scale structures of these catalysts were also characterized by high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction coupled with atomic pair distribution function analysis. The electrocatalytic activity and stability were shown to depend on the size, composition, and phase structure. With Pd n Cu 100–n catalysts from both methods, a maximum ORR activity was revealed at Pd/Cu ratio close to 50:50. Structurally, Pd 50 Cu 50 nanoalloys feature a mixed phase consisting of chemically ordered (body-centered cubic type) and disordered (face-centered cubic type) domains. The phase-segregated structure is shown to change to a single phase upon electrochemical potential cycling in ORR condition. While the surface Cu dissolution occurred in PdCu catalysts from the two different synthesis methods, the PdCu with a singlephase character is found to exhibit a tendency of a much greater dissolution than that with the phase segregation. Analysis of the results, along theoretical modeling based on density functional theory calculation, has provided new insights for the correlation between the electrocatalytic activity and the catalyst structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Resolving Atomic-Scale Structure and Chemical Coordination in High-Entropy Alloy Electrocatalysts for Structure–Function Relationship Elucidation

The recent breakthrough in confining five or more atomic species in nanocatalysts, referred to as high-entropy alloy nanocatalysts (HEAs), has revealed the possibilities of multielemental interactions that can surpass the limitations of binary and ternary electrocatalysts. The wide range of potential surface configurations in HEAs, however, presents a significant challenge in resolving active structural motifs, preventing the establishment of structure-function relationships for rational catalyst design and optimization. Here, we present a methodology for creating sub-5 nm HEAs using an aqueous-based peptide-directed route. Using a combination of pair distribution function and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, HEA structure models are constructed from reverse Monte Carlo modeling of experimental data sets and showcase a clear peptide-induced influence on atomic-structure and chemical miscibility. Coordination analysis of our structure models facilitated the construction of structure-function correlations applied to electrochemical methanol oxidation reactions, revealing the complex interplay between multiple metals that leads to improved catalytic properties. Our results showcase a viable strategy for elucidating structure-function relationships in HEAs, prospectively providing a pathway for future materials design.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Ensemble averaged structure–function relationship for nanocrystals: effective superparamagnetic Fe clusters with catalytically active Pt skin [Ensemble averaged structure-function relationship for composite nanocrystals: magnetic bcc Fe clusters with catalytically active fcc Pt skin]

Practical applications require the production and usage of metallic nanocrystals (NCs) in large ensembles. Besides, due to their cluster-bulk solid duality, metallic NCs exhibit a large degree of structural diversity. This poses the question as to what atomic-scale basis is to be used when the structure–function relationship for metallic NCs is to be quantified precisely. In this paper, we address the question by studying bi-functional Fe core-Pt skin type NCs optimized for practical applications. In particular, the cluster-like Fe core and skin-like Pt surface of the NCs exhibit superparamagnetic properties and a superb catalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction, respectively. We determine the atomic-scale structure of the NCs by non-traditional resonant high-energy X-ray diffraction coupled to atomic pair distribution function analysis. Using the experimental structure data we explain the observed magnetic and catalytic behavior of the NCs in a quantitative manner. Lastly, we demonstrate that NC ensemble-averaged 3D positions of atoms obtained by advanced X-ray scattering techniques are a very proper basis for not only establishing but also quantifying the structure–function relationship for the increasingly complex metallic NCs explored for practical applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Inhomogeneous thermal expansion of metallic glasses in atomic-scale studied by in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Numerous investigations have demonstrated that the elastic strain in metallic glasses subjected to mechanical loading could be inhomogeneous in the atomic-scale and it increases with distance from an average atom and eventually reaches the macroscopic strain at larger inter-atomic distances. We have observed a similar behavior for the thermal strain imposed by heating of Co{sub 40}Fe{sub 22}Ta{sub 8}B{sub 30} glassy particles below the glass transition temperature by analysis of the scattering data obtained by in-situ high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results imply that the volumetric thermal strains calculated from the shift in position of the principal diffraction maximum and reduced pair correlation function (PDF) peaks are in good agreement for the length scales beyond 0.6 nm, corresponding to the atoms located over the third near-neighbor shell. However, smaller and even negative volumetric thermal strains have been calculated based on the shifts in the positions of the second and first PDF peaks, respectively. The structural changes of Co{sub 40}Fe{sub 22}Ta{sub 8}B{sub 30} glassy particles are accompanied by decreasing the average coordination number of the first near-neighbor shell, which manifests the occurrence of local changes in the short-range order upon heating. It is believed that the detected length-scale dependence of the volumetric thermal strain is correlated with the local atomic rearrangements taking place in the topologically unstable regions of the glass governed by variations in the atomic-level stresses.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Moving beyond the constraints of chemistry via crystal structure discovery with isotropic multiwell pair potentials

The rigid constraints of chemistry-dictated by quantum mechanics and the discrete nature of the atom-limit the set of observable atomic crystal structures. What structures are possible in the absence of these constraints? Here, we systematically crystallize one-component systems of particles interacting with isotropic multiwell pair potentials. We investigate two tunable families of pairwise interaction potentials. Our simulations self-assemble a multitude of crystal structures ranging from basic lattices to complex networks. Sixteen of the structures have natural analogs spanning all coordination numbers found in inorganic chemistry. Fifteen more are hitherto unknown and occupy the space between covalent and metallic coordination environments. The discovered crystal structures constitute targets for self-assembly and expand our understanding of what a crystal structure can look like.

crystal structures↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nearly hyperuniform, nonhyperuniform, and antihyperuniform density fluctuations in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides with defects

Hyperuniform many-body systems in d-dimensional Euclidean space R d are characterized by completely suppressed (normalized) infinite-wavelength density fluctuations, and appear to be endowed with novel exotic physical properties. Recently, hyperuniform systems of disordered varieties have been observed in the context of various atomic-scale two-dimensional (2D) materials. Here, we analyze the effects of localized defects on the density fluctuations across length scales and on the hyperuniformity property of experimental samples of two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides. In particular, we extract atomic coordinates from time series annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) imaging data of 2D tungsten chalcogenides with the 2H structure (Te-doped 2H-WSe 2 ) showing continuous development and evolution of electron-beam induced defects, and construct the corresponding chemical-bonding informed coordination networks between the atoms. We then compute a variety of pair statistics and bond-orientational statistics to characterize the samples. At low defect concentrations, the corresponding materials are nearly hyperuniform, characterized by significantly suppressed scattering at the zero wave-number limit (omitting forward/ballistic scattering). As more defects are introduced, the (approximate) hyperuniformity of the materials is gradually destroyed, and the system becomes non-hyperuniform even when the material still contains a significant amount of crystalline regions. At high defect concentrations, the structures become antihyperuniform with diverging (normalized) large-scale density fluctuations, mimicking those typically observed at the thermal critical points associated with phase transitions. Overall, the defected materials possess varying degrees of orientation order, and there is apparently no intermediate hexatic phase emerging. To understand the observed nearly hyperuniform density fluctuations in the slightly defected materials, we construct a minimalist structural model and demonstrate that the experimental samples can be essentially viewed as perturbed honeycomb crystals with small correlated displacements and double chalcogen vacancies. Moreover, the small correlated displacements alone can significantly degrade hyperuniformity of the perfect honeycomb structure. Therefore, even a small amount of vacancies, when coupled with correlated displacements, can completely destroy hyperuniformity of the system.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Direct Cation Exchange in Monolayer MoS 2 via Recombination-Enhanced Migration

In addition to their unique optical and electronic properties, two-dimensional materials provide opportunities to directly observe atomic-scale defect dynamics. Here we use scanning transmission electron microscopy to observe substitutional Re impurities in monolayer MoS 2 undergo direct exchanges with neighboring Mo atoms in the lattice. Density-functional-theory calculations find that the energy barrier for direct exchange, a process that has only been studied as a diffusion mechanism in bulk materials, is too large for either thermal activation or energy directly transferred from the electron beam. The presence of multiple sulfur vacancies next to the exchanged Re-Mo pair, as observed by electron microscopy, does not lower the energy barrier sufficiently to account for the observed atomic exchange. Instead, the calculations find that a Re dopant and surrounding sulfur vacancies introduce an ever-changing set of deep levels in the energy gap. We propose that these levels mediate an “explosive” recombination-enhanced migration via multiple electron-hole recombination events. As a proof of concept, we also show that Re-Mo direct exchange can be triggered via controlled creation of sulfur vacancies. The present experimental and theoretical findings lay a fundamental framework towards manipulating single substitutional dopants in two-dimensional materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Atomic-Level, Energy-Conversion Heat Transfer

Abstract Heat is stored in quanta of kinetic and potential energies in matter. The temperature represents the equilibrium and excited occupation (boson) of these energy conditions. Temporal and spatial temperature variations and heat transfer are associated with the kinetics of these equilibrium excitations. During energy-conversion (between electron and phonon systems), the occupancies deviate from equilibria, while holding atomic-scale, inelastic spectral energy transfer kinetics. Heat transfer physics reaches nonequilibrium energy excitations and kinetics among the principal carriers, phonon, electron (and holes and ions), fluid particle, and photon. This allows atomic-level tailoring of energetic materials and energy-conversion processes and their efficiencies. For example, modern thermal-electric harvesters have transformed broad-spectrum, high-entropy heat into a narrow spectrum of low-entropy emissions to efficiently generate thermal electricity. Phonoelectricity, in contrast, intervenes before a low-entropy population of nonequilibrium optical phonons becomes a high-entropy heat. In particular, the suggested phonovoltaic cell generates phonoelectricity by employing the nonequilibrium, low-entropy, and elevated temperature optical-phonon produced population—for example, by relaxing electrons, excited by an electric field. A phonovoltaic material has an ultranarrow electronic bandgap, such that the hot optical-phonon population can relax by producing electron-hole pairs (and power) instead of multiple acoustic phonons (and entropy). Examples of these quanta and spectral heat transfer are reviewed, contemplating a prospect for education and research in this field.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2017

Light-induced picosecond rotational disordering of the inorganic sublattice in hybrid perovskites

Femtosecond resolution electron scattering techniques are applied to resolve the first atomic-scale steps following absorption of a photon in the prototypical hybrid perovskite methylammonium lead iodide. Following above-gap photoexcitation, we directly resolve the transfer of energy from hot carriers to the lattice by recording changes in the mean square atomic displacements on 10-ps time scales. Measurements of the time-dependent pair distribution function show an unexpected broadening of the iodine-iodine correlation function while preserving the Pb-I distance. This indicates the formation of a rotationally disordered halide octahedral structure developing on picosecond time scales. Here, this work shows the important role of light-induced structural deformations within the inorganic sublattice in elucidating the unique optoelectronic functionality exhibited by hybrid perovskites and provides new understanding of hot carrier-lattice interactions, which fundamentally determine solar cell efficiencies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dynamic structural views in solar energy materials by femtosecond electron diffraction

Solar materials convert light into other forms of energy through excited state processes occurring on ultrafast time and atomic length scales. Understanding and controlling such nonequilibrium processes is essential for applications ranging from photovoltaics to photocatalysis. These processes are commonly studied by transient optical techniques, which resolve charge carrier dynamics. However, optical spectroscopy does not directly probe the atomic-scale motions that play a central role in the ultimate functionality of these materials. Filling this missing gap, ultrafast electron and x-ray scattering techniques enable monitoring of structural dynamics in materials with femtosecond time resolution. In this work, we focus on the use of ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) techniques to probe photoinduced energy conversion dynamics in solar energy materials. First, we discuss the use of UED as an ultrafast lattice thermometer allowing a direct probe of nonradiative relaxations such as hot carrier cooling and Auger recombination. Second, we present a time-resolved atomic pair distribution function analysis enabled by UED, which uncovers lattice deformations arising from excitation localization in materials. Finally, we provide an outlook looking toward new approaches for resolving in situ energy conversion dynamics and uncovering structure–property relationships in solar energy materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Towards Quantum-Chemical Level Calculations of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Variants of Concern by First Principles Density Functional Theory

The spike protein (S-protein) is a crucial part of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with its many domains responsible for binding, fusion, and host cell entry. In this review we use the density functional theory (DFT) calculations to analyze the atomic-scale interactions and investigate the consequences of mutations in S-protein domains. We specifically describe the key amino acids and functions of each domain, which are essential for structural stability as well as recognition and fusion processes with the host cell; in addition, we speculate on how mutations affect these properties. Such unprecedented large-scale ab initio calculations, with up to 5000 atoms in the system, are based on the novel concept of amino acid–amino acid-bond pair unit (AABPU) that allows for an alternative description of proteins, providing valuable information on partial charge, interatomic bonding and hydrogen bond (HB) formation. In general, our results show that the S-protein mutations for different variants foster an increased positive partial charge, alter the interatomic interactions, and disrupt the HB networks. We conclude by outlining a roadmap for future computational research of biomolecular virus-related systems.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2019

Technology Development for the Modification of High Aspect Ratio Geometries for Thermal and Environmental Control

A key technology development driver in environmental control systems and next generation optics are discussed utilizing thin film development borrowed from the semiconductor industry. The optical and physical properties of spacecraft radiator coatings are dictated by orbital environmental conditions. For example, coatings must adequately dissipate charge buildup when orbital conditions, such as polar, geostationary or gravity neutral, result in surface charging. Current dissipation techniques include depositing a layer of ITO (indium tin oxide) on the radiator surface in a high temperature process. The application of these enhanced coatings must be such that the properties in question are tailored to mission-specific requirements. The multi-billion-dollar semiconductor industry has adopted Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) for self-assembly and atomic-scale placement. ALD is a cost-effective nanoadditive-manufacturing technique that allows for the conformal coating of substrates with atomic control in a benign temperature and pressure environment. By using ALD, modification of these coatings can be accomplished during coating application preprocessing. The preprocessing is rendered directly on the coating dry pigment before binding. Through the introduction of paired precursor gases, thin films can be deposited on a myriad of substrates ranging from glass, polymers, aerogels, metals, powders, and other high aspect-ratio micro- and nano- structures. By providing atomic-level control, where single layers of atoms can be deposited, the fabrication of metal transparent films, precise nano-laminates, and coatings of nano-channels and pores is achievable. A method has been demonstrated for the ALD of In2O3 and films on a variety of substrates from Si(100) wafers, glass slides, and on Z93P pigments resulting in a direct spaceflight application. Results will be presented that verify the chemical composition of ALD pigments and charge dissipation properties when the pigment goes through its binding and coating process and we present early results of ALD for carbon nanotube formation and encapsulation.

Dwivedi, Vivek H.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Application and Development of Atomic Layer Deposition Techniques to Improve Thermo-Optical Coatings for Spacecraft Thermal Control and Advanced Optical Instruments

A key technology development driver in environmental control systems and next generation optics are discussed utilizing thin film development borrowed from the semiconductor industry. The optical and physical properties of spacecraft radiator coatings are dictated by orbital environmental conditions. For example, coatings must adequately dissipate charge buildup when orbital conditions, such as polar, geostationary or gravity neutral, result in surface charging. Current dissipation techniques include depositing a layer of ITO (indium tin oxide) on the radiator surface in a high temperature process. The application of these enhanced coatings must be such that the properties in question are tailored to mission-specific requirements. The multi-billion-dollar semiconductor industry has adopted Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) for self-assembly and atomic-scale placement. ALD is a cost-effective nanoadditive-manufacturing technique that allows for the conformal coating of substrates with atomic control in a benign temperature and pressure environment. By using ALD, modification of these coatings can be accomplished during coating application preprocessing. The preprocessing is rendered directly on the coating dry pigment before binding. Through the introduction of paired precursor gases, thin films can be deposited on a myriad of substrates ranging from glass, polymers, aerogels, metals, powders, and other high aspect-ratio micro- and nano- structures. By providing atomic-level control, where single layers of atoms can be deposited, the fabrication of metal transparent films, precise nano-laminates, and coatings of nano-channels and pores is achievable. A method has been demonstrated for the ALD of In2O3 and films on a variety of substrates from Si(100) wafers, glass slides, and on Z93P pigments resulting in a direct spaceflight application. Results will be presented that verify the chemical composition of ALD pigments and charge dissipation properties when the pigment goes through its binding and coating process and we present early results of ALD for carbon nanotube formation and encapsulation.

Dwivedi, Vivek H.↗