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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 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Influence of double- and triple-layer antireflection coatings on the formation of photocurrents in multijunction III–V solar cells

The results of simulation by the transfer-matrix method of TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} double-layer and TiO{sub 2}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} triple-layer antireflection coatings for multijunction InGaP/GaAs/Ge heterostructure solar cells are presented. The TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} double-layer antireflection coating is experimentally developed and optimized. The experimental spectral dependences of the external quantum yield of the InGaP/GaAs/Ge heterostructure solar cell and optical characteristics of antireflection coatings, obtained in the simulation, are used to determine the photogenerated current densities of each subcell in the InGaP/GaAs/Ge solar cell under AM1.5D irradiation conditions (1000 W/m{sup 2}) and for the case of zero reflection loss. It is shown in the simulation that the optimized TiO{sub 2}/Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}/SiO{sub 2} triple-layer antireflection coating provides a 2.3 mA/cm{sup 2} gain in the photocurrent density for the Ge subcell under AM1.5D conditions in comparison with the TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} double-layer antireflection coating under consideration. This thereby provides an increase in the fill factor of the current–voltage curve and in the output electric power of the multijunction solar cell.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Syntheses and crystal structures of the quaternary uranium lanthanide oxyselenides UYb{sub 2}O{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and U{sub 2}Ln{sub 2}O{sub 4}Se{sub 3} (Ln=Pr, Sm, Gd)

Single crystals of the new uranium lanthanide oxyselenide compounds UYb{sub 2}O{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and U{sub 2}Ln{sub 2}O{sub 4}Se{sub 3} (Ln=Pr, Sm, Gd) have been synthesized from an Sb{sub 2}Se{sub 3} flux. The structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. UYb{sub 2}O{sub 2}Se{sub 3} is isostructural to UYb{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3}. The structure comprises layers of edge-sharing YbSe{sub 6} octahedra and double layers of disordered (U/Ln)O{sub 4}Se{sub 4} square antiprisms. The U{sub 2}Ln{sub 2}O{sub 4}Se{sub 3} (Ln=Pr, Sm, Gd) compounds are isostructural to U{sub 2}Ln{sub 2}O{sub 4}S{sub 3} (Ln=La-Gd) whose structure had been deduced previously from X-ray powder diffraction data. In the structure a dodecahedron of four O atoms and four Se atoms surrounds a site primarily occupied by U and a distorted bicapped octahedron of five Se atoms and three O atoms surrounds a site primarily occupied by the lanthanide. These compounds represent the first examples of quaternary uranium oxyselenides. - Graphical abstract: The U{sub 2}Ln{sub 2}O{sub 4}Se{sub 3} (Ln=Pr, Sm, Gd) structure: primarily U sites are in black, primarily Ln sites are in blue, O red, Se orange. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Single crystals of the new compounds UYb{sub 2}O{sub 2}Se{sub 3} and U{sub 2}Ln{sub 2}O{sub 4}Se{sub 3} (Ln=Pr, Sm, Gd) have been synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer These compounds represent the first examples of quaternary uranium oxyselenides. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer U is surrounded by a dodecahedron or square prism of four O atoms and four Se atoms

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Synthesis and structural characterization of the new compound UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3} and the evidence for the old compound U{sub 2}ErO{sub 2}S{sub 3}

Black square plates of the new compound UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3} have been synthesized by the reaction of UOS, Er, and S with an Sb{sub 2}S{sub 3} flux at 1273 K. The structure of UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3} has been solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3} forms a layered structure with layers of edge-sharing ErS{sub 6} octahedra and double layers of disordered (U/Er)O{sub 4}S{sub 4} square antiprisms. Upon reexamination of the previously reported X-ray data for the U{sup 3.5+} compound U{sub 2}ErO{sub 2}S{sub 3} we conclude that it also may be characterized as the U{sup 4+} compound UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3}. - Graphical abstract: The structure of UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3} U/Er, black; Er, blue; O, red; S, yellow. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The compound originally formulated as 'U{sub 2}ErO{sub 2}S{sub 3}' is UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3}, which displays U/Er disorder, charge balances as a compound of U{sup 4+}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer UEr{sub 2}O{sub 2}S{sub 3} has been synthesized at 1273 K, as opposed to the original synthesis that was carried out at about 1773 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Imaging solid–electrolyte interphase dynamics using operando reflection interference microscopy

The quality of the solid–electrolyte interphase is crucial for the performance of most battery chemistries, but its formation dynamics during operation are not well understood due to a lack of reliable operando characterization techniques. Herein, we report a dynamic, non-invasive, operando reflection interference microscope to enable the real-time imaging of the solid–electrolyte interphase during its formation and evolution processes with high sensitivity. The stratified structure of the solid–electrolyte interphase formed during four distinct steps includes the emergence of a permanent inner inorganic layer enriched in LiF, a transient assembly of an interfacial electrified double layer and a consequent emergence of a temporary outer organic-rich layer whose presence is reversible with electrochemical cycling. Reflection interference microscope imaging reveals an inverse correlation between the thicknesses of two interphasial subcomponents, implying that the permanent inorganic-rich inner layer dictates the organic-rich outer layer formation and lithium nucleation. In conclusion, the real-time visualization of solid–electrolyte interphase dynamics provides a powerful tool for the rational design of battery interphases.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1993

UV testing of solar cells: Effects of antireflective coating, prior irradiation, and UV source

Short-circuit current degradation of electron irradiated double-layer antireflective-coated cells after 3000 hours ultraviolet (UV) exposure exceeds 3 percent; extrapolation of the data to 10(exp 5) hours (11.4 yrs.) gives a degradation that exceeds 10 percent. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences in degradation were observed in cells with double- and single-layer antireflective coatings. The effects of UV-source age were observed and corrections were made to the data. An additional degradation mechanism was identified that occurs only in previously electron-irradiated solar cells since identical unirradiated cells degrade to only 6 +/- 3 percent when extrapolated 10(exp 5) hours of UV illumination.

Meulenberg, A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Demystifying the Stern layer at a metal–electrolyte interface: Local dielectric constant, specific ion adsorption, and partial charge transfer

Electric double layer (EDL) represents one of the most basic concepts in electrochemistry and is pertinent to diverse engineering applications ranging from electrocatalysis to energy storage. Whereas phenomenological and coarse-grained models have been long established to describe ionic distributions in the diffuse layer, a faithful prediction of the physicochemical properties of the electrode–electrolyte interface from a molecular perspective remains a daunting challenge. In this work, we investigate the charging behavior of an Ag (111) electrode in NaF aqueous solutions leveraging experimental results and theoretical calculations based on the classical density functional theory for ion distributions in the diffuse layer and on the joint density functional theory (JDFT) for the electronic structure. When the Ag electrode is applied with a negative voltage, the surface charge density can be reasonably described by assuming a neutral Stern layer with the dielectric constant dependent on the local electric field as predicted by the Kirkwood equation. However, the specific adsorption of F− ions must be considered when the electrode is positively charged and the fluoride adsorption can be attributed to both physical and chemical interactions. Qualitatively, F− binding and partial charge transfer are supported by JDFT calculations, which predict an increased binding energy as the voltage increases. Our findings shed insight on the molecular characteristics of the Stern layer and the charge behavior of adsorbed species not specified by conventional EDL models.

Wang, Xuepeng (ORCID:0000000285704546)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Operando Contactless EFISH Study of the Rate-Determining Step of Light-Driven Water Oxidation on TiO 2 Photoanodes

For many slow solar-fuel-forming reactions, the accumulation of photogenerated minority carriers on the photoelectrode surface leads to light-induced band edge unpinning, affecting the junction properties by decreasing band bending in the semiconductor space charge layer and increasing the driving force of surface reactions in the electric double layer. In this study, we demonstrate a contactless operando electric field-induced second harmonic generation (EFISH) method for measuring the band bending change (δΔΦ SCR L ) on photoelectrodes upon photoexcitation. For ndoped rutile TiO 2 water oxidation photoanodes at pH 7, δΔΦ SCR L increases at more positive potentials or higher illumination power density until it reaches saturation values. We show that under fast mass transport conditions, δΔΦ SCR L is exclusively attributed to the accumulated charged rate-determining species that can be regarded as temporary surface states, and the relationship between the photocurrent and δΔΦ SCR L can be well modeled by assuming that hole trap states function as the reaction center. Kinetic isotope experiments identify proton-coupled electron transfer as the rate-determining step and suggest a possible chemical nature of the key intermediate. We demonstrate that light-induced band edge unpinning is a beneficial feature under high illumination conditions for oxygen evolution reaction on TiO 2 because it maintains the photon-to-current conversion efficiency by enhancing the surface reaction driving force, shedding light on the actual device application.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ion complexation waves emerge at the curved interfaces of layered minerals

Abstract Visualizing hydrated interfaces is of widespread interest across the physical sciences and is a particularly acute need for layered minerals, whose properties are governed by the structure of the electric double layer (EDL) where mineral and solution meet. Here, we show that cryo electron microscopy and tomography enable direct imaging of the EDL at montmorillonite interfaces in monovalent electrolytes with ångstrom resolution over micron length scales. A learning-based multiple-scattering reconstruction method for cryo electron tomography reveals ions bound asymmetrically on opposite sides of curved, exfoliated layers. We observe conserved ion-density asymmetry across stacks of interacting layers in cryo electron microscopy that is associated with configurations of inner- and outer-sphere ion-water-mineral complexes that we term complexation waves. Coherent X-ray scattering confirms that complexation waves propagate at room-temperature via a competition between ion dehydration and charge interactions that are coupled across opposing sides of a layer, driving dynamic transitions between stacked and aggregated states via layer exfoliation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

A revolutionary concept to improve the efficiency of IC antennas

The successful design of an Ion Cyclotron (IC) antenna mainly relies on the capability of coupling high power to the plasma (MW), feature that is currently reached by allowing rather high voltages (tens of kV) on the unavoidable unmatched part of the feeding lines. This requirement is often responsible of arcs along the transmission lines and other unwanted phenomena that considerably limit the usage of IC launchers. In this work, we suggest and describe a revolutionary approach based on high impedance surfaces, which allows to increase the antenna radiation efficiency and, hence, to highly reduce the imposed voltages to couple the same level of power to the plasma. High-impedance surfaces are periodic metallic structures (patches) displaced usually on top of a dielectric substrate and grounded by means of vertical posts usually embedded inside a dielectric, in a mushroom-like shape. In terms of working properties, high impedance surfaces are electrically thin in-phase reflectors, i.e. they present a high impedance, within a given frequency band, such that the image currents are in-phase with the currents of the antenna itself, thus determining a significant efficiency increase. While the usual design of a high impedance surface requires the presence of a dielectric layer, some alternative solutions can be realized in vacuum, taking advantage of double layers ofmetallic patches. After an introductory part on the properties of high impedance surfaces, this work documents both their design by means of numerical codes and their implementation on a scaled mock-up.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

A revolutionary concept to improve the efficiency of ion cyclotron antennas

The successful design of an ion cyclotron (IC) antenna mainly relies on the capability of coupling high power to the plasma (MW), feature that is currently reached by allowing rather high voltages (tens of kV) on the unavoidable unmatched part of the feeding lines. This requirement is often responsible of arcs along the transmission lines and other unwanted phenomena, such as rectification discharges or hotspots, that considerably limit the usage of IC launchers. In this work, we suggest and describe a revolutionary approach based on high impedance surfaces, which allows to increase the antenna radiation efficiency and, hence, to highly reduce the imposed voltages to couple the same level of power to the plasma. High-impedance surfaces are periodic metallic structures (patches) displaced usually on top of a dielectric substrate and grounded by means of vertical posts usually embedded inside a dielectric, in a mushroom-like shape. In terms of working properties, high impedance surfaces are electrically thin in-phase reflectors, i.e., they present a high impedance, within a given frequency band, such that the image currents are in-phase with the currents of the antenna itself, thus determining a significant efficiency increase. While the usual design of a high impedance surface requires the presence of a dielectric layer, some alternative solutions can be realised in vacuum, taking advantage of double layers of metallic patches. After an introductory part on the properties of high impedance surfaces, this work documents both their design by means of numerical codes and their implementation on a scaled mock-up.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Preparation and stress evolution of sol–gel SiO{sub 2} antireflective coatings for small-size anisotropic lithium triborate crystals

Lithium triborate (LiB{sub 3}O{sub 5}, LBO) crystal is now one of the most useful nonlinear optical materials for frequency conversion of high power lasers. The use of the crystal, however, has been hampered by the unavailability of antireflective (AR) coatings with high laser damage resistance. In this work, a “point contact” dip-coating method is developed to prepare sol–gel SiO{sub 2} AR coatings on small-size LBO crystals. Using this approach, we obtain a homogenous coating surface on an 8 mm×8 mm×3 mm LBO crystal. The stress measurements show that the stresses in sol–gel SiO{sub 2} coatings vary with the time of natural drying, which is beyond our expectation. The anisotropic Young’s modulus of the LBO crystal and the different evolution tendency of the stress in the different SiO{sub 2} coating layers are found to be responsible for the crack of the double-layer AR coatings on anisotropic LBO crystal. Meanwhile, the resulting coatings on LBO crystal achieve a LIDT of over 15 J/cm{sup 2} (532 nm, 3ns) and the coated LBO is expected to have a transmittance of over 99% at 800 nm.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1988

On governing equations for crack layer propagation

Results of analysis on damage distribution of a crack layer, in a model material, supported the self-similarity hypothesis of damage evolution which has been adopted by the crack layer theory. On the basis of measurements of discontinuity density and the double layer potential technique, a solution to the crack damage interaction problem has been developed. Evaluation of the stress intensity factor illustrated the methodology. Analysis of experimental results showed that Arrhenius type constitutive relationship described very well the expansion of the active zone of a crack layer.

Chudnovsky, A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Double-peaked sodium layers at high latitudes

Na lidar observations indicate that at high latitudes in summer the neutral Na layer frequently attains a double-peaked structure. The main layer with a maximum near 90 km altitude is supplemented by a secondary, narrow layer near 95 km altitude. Results are presented concerning secondary sodium layers. It appears likely that the formation of secondary Na layers observed frequently above the lidar site is not solely a 'sodium phenomenon', but part of a more comprehensive layering process for metal atoms and ions. Na(+)/Na density ratios close to 0.5 near the peaks of both the main and secondary layers are derived.

Von Zahn, U.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electron and proton conductivity of Fe-N-C cathodes for PEM fuel cells: A model-based electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement

Impedance spectra of a PEM fuel cell with three Fe-N-C cathodes have been measured under the H 2 /N 2 testing regime. The spectra have been fitted using a recently developed physics-based impedance model, which takes into account finite proton ($σ_p$) and electron ($σ_e$) conductivity of the oxygen-free cathode catalyst layer. Fitting allowed to extract numerical data for $σ_p$, $σ_e$, the double layer capacitance, and the inductance of cables used for measuring impedance spectra. The values of σp and σe are close to what previously found for standard Pt/C electrodes, which is found for the first time using PGM-free catalysts. The method enables simultaneous measurement of reference proton and electron conductivity of PEMFC cathode.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2013

High temperature synthesis of two open-framework uranyl silicates with ten-ring channels: Cs{sub 2}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}Si{sub 8}O{sub 19} and Rb{sub 2}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}Si{sub 5}O{sub 13}

The uranyl silicates Cs{sub 2}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}Si{sub 8}O{sub 19} and Rb{sub 2}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}Si{sub 5}O{sub 13} were obtained by mixing stoichiometric amounts of uranium metal, tellurium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and an excess of correspondent alkali metal halide flux. These compounds crystallize in the orthorhombic space groups Pnma and C222 with eight and two units per unit cell, respectively. Their crystal structures are dominated by zippered pentagonal bipyramidal chains of UO{sub 7} and silicates layer that are further connected into 3D frameworks. The cesium compound has silicate double layers while rubidium has a single layer. Six-ring voids and ten-ring channels are found in both compounds. - Graphical abstract: A view of the three-dimensional network structure of Cs{sub 2}(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}Si{sub 8}O{sub 19}. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Three-dimensional uranium silicates. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Analogs of natural uranyl silicate minerals. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Complexity and symmetry ambiguity of uranyl silicates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Surface plasmon dispersion engineering via double-metallic AU/AG layers for nitride light-emitting diodes

A double-metallic deposition process is used whereby adjacent layers of different metals are deposited on a substrate. The surface plasmon frequency of a base layer of a first metal is tuned by the surface plasmon frequency of a second layer of a second metal formed thereon. The amount of tuning is dependent upon the thickness of the metallic layers, and thus tuning can be achieved by varying the thicknesses of one or both of the metallic layers. In a preferred embodiment directed to enhanced LED technology in the green spectrum regime, a double-metallic Au/Ag layer comprising a base layer of gold (Au) followed by a second layer of silver (Ag) formed thereon is deposited on top of InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) on a sapphire/GaN substrate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Organized thiol functional groups in mesoporous core shell colloids

The co-condensation in situ of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a template results in the synthesis of multilayered mesoporous structured SiO{sub 2} colloids with 'onion-like' chemical environments. Thiol groups were anchored to an inner selected SiO{sub 2} porous layer in a bilayered core shell particle producing different chemical regions inside the colloidal layered structure. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) shows a preferential anchoring of the -SH groups in the double layer shell system, while porosimetry and simple chemical modifications confirm that pores are accessible. We can envision the synthesis of interesting colloidal objects with defined chemical environments with highly controlled properties. - Graphical abstract: Mesoporous core shell SiO{sub 2} colloids with organized thiol groups. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Double shell mesoporous silica colloids templated with CTAB. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sequential deposition of mesoporous SiO{sub 2} layers with different chemistries. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer XPS shows the selective functionalization of mesoporous layers with thiol groups.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Surface and interlayer base-characters in lepidocrocite titanate: The adsorption and intercalation of fatty acid

While layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with positively-charged sheets are well known as basic materials, layered metal oxides having negatively-charged sheets are not generally recognized so. In this article, the surface and interlayer base-characters of O{sup 2−} sites in layered metal oxides have been demonstrated, taking lepidocrocite titanate K{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.4}Ti{sub 1.6}O{sub 4} as an example. The low basicity (0.04 mmol CO{sub 2}/g) and low desorption temperature (50–300 °C) shown by CO{sub 2}− TPD suggests that O{sup 2−} sites at the external surfaces is weakly basic, while those at the interlayer space are mostly inaccessible to CO{sub 2}. The liquid-phase adsorption study, however, revealed the uptake as much as 37% by mass of the bulky palmitic acid (C{sub 16} acid). The accompanying expansion of the interlayer space by ~0.1 nm was detected by PXRD and TEM. In an opposite manner to the external surfaces, the interlayer O{sup 2−} sites can deprotonate palmitic acid, forming the salt (i.e., potassium palmitate) occluded between the sheets. Two types of basic sites are proposed based on ultrafast {sup 1}H MAS NMR and FTIR results. The interlayer basic sites in lepidocrocite titanate leads to an application of this material as a selective and stable two-dimensional (2D) basic catalyst, as demonstrated by the ketonization of palmitic acid into palmitone (C{sub 31} ketone). Tuning of the catalytic activity by varying the type of metal (Zn, Mg, and Li) substituting at Ti{sup IV} sites was also illustrated. - Graphical abstract: Interlayer basic sites in lepidocrocite titanate, K{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.4}Ti{sub 1.6}O{sub 4}, lead to an intercalation of palmitic acid with a layer expansion. Display Omitted - Highlights: • K{sub 0.8}Zn{sub 0.4}Ti{sub 1.6}O{sub 4} intercalates palmitic acid, forming the occluded potassium salt. • The interlayer expansion is evidenced by PXRD patterns and TEM image. • Two types of basic sites are deduced from ultrafast {sup 1}H MAS NMR. • Lepidocrocite titanate catalyses ketonization of palmitic acid to palmitone and corresponding cracked products.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗