Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Neutron Diffraction”

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 847 records · Page 47
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

Novel Ordered Rocksalt-Type Lithium-Rich Li 2 Ru 1–x Ni x O 3-δ (0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) Cathode Material with Tunable Anionic Redox Potential

In this work, a series of ordered rocksalt (OR) type Li-rich Li 2 Ru 1–x Ni x O 3-δ (LRN x O, 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) are successfully synthesized and investigated for the first time. X-ray diffraction and neutron powder diffraction patterns exhibit an obvious phase transition from layered to an OR structure as the Ni content gradually increases from x = 0 to x = 0.5, which leads to different electrochemical behaviors. In the case of OR-LRN 0.4 O, an ~350 mV decrease of the oxygen oxidation potential compared with Li 2 RuO 3 (LRO) is observed from around 4.2 to 3.85 V, which is confirmed by both X-ray photelectron O 1s spectra and dQ/dV results. Additionally, the role of Ni substitution on the oxygen redox reaction is studied by first-principles calculations, and it is concluded that the formation of the OR structure caused by Ni substitution is the main reason for lowering the oxygen oxidation potential. In addition, the average discharge voltage of OR-LRN 0.4 O is also enhanced compared with LRO. This work provides a novel innovative strategy to modulate and control the oxygen anion redox reaction for high-energy-density Li-rich materials, which shed light on the fundamental understanding and optimizing of the anion redox process in Li-rich materials.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Kinetically Controlled Linker Binding in Rare Earth-2,5-Dihydroxyterepthalic Acid Metal–Organic Frameworks and Its Predicted Effects on Acid Gas Adsorption

In the pursuit of highly stable and selective metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the adsorption of caustic acid gas species, an entire series of rare earth MOFs have been explored. Each of the MOFs in this series (RE-DOBDC; RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; DOBDC = 2,5-dihydroxyterepthalic acid) was synthesized in the tetragonal space group I4/m. Crystallized MOF samples, specifically Eu-DOBDC, were seen to have a combination of monodentate and bidentate binding when synthesized under typical reaction conditions, resulting in a contortion of the structure. However, extended crystallization times determined that this binding is kinetically controlled and that the monodentate binding option was crystallographically eliminated by extended reaction times at higher temperatures. Furthermore, this series allows for the direct study of the effect of the metal center on the structure of the of the MOF; herein, the lanthanide metal ionic radii contraction across the periodic table results in a reduction of the MOF pore size and lattice parameters. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy was used to investigate the stages of crystal growth for these RE-DOBDC MOFs. All MOFs, except Er-DOBDC had a minimum of two stages of growth. These analogues were demonstrated by analysis of neutron diffraction (PND) to exhibit a cooperative rotational distortion of the secondary building unit, resulting in two crystallographically distinct linker sublattices. Computational modeling efforts were used to show distinct differences on acid gas (NO 2 and SO 2 ) binding energies for RE-DOBDC MOFs when comparing the monodentate/bidentate combined linker with the bidentate-only linker crystal structures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Correlating Transport and Structural Properties in Li 1+ x Al x Ge 2– x (PO 4 ) 3 (LAGP) Prepared from Aqueous Solution

Li 1+ x Al x Ge 2– x (PO 4 ) 3 (LAGP) is a solid lithium-ion conductor belonging to the NASICON family, representing the solid solution of LiGe 2 (PO 4 ) 3 and AlPO 4 . The typical syntheses of LAGP either involve high-temperature melt-quenching, which is complicated and expensive, or a sol–gel process requiring costly organic germanium precursors. Herein, we report a simple method based on aqueous solutions without the need of ethoxide precursors. Using synchrotron and neutron diffraction, the crystal structure, the occupancies for Al and Ge, and the distribution of lithium were determined. Substitution of germanium by aluminum allows for an increased Li + incorporation in the material and the actual Li + content in the sample increases with the nominal Li + content and a solubility limit is observed for higher aluminum content. By means of impedance spectroscopy, an increase in the ionic conductivity with increasing lithium content is observed. Whereas the lithium ionic conductivity improves, due to the increasing carrier density, the bulk activation energy increases. This correlation suggests that changes in the transport mechanism and correlated motion may be at play in the Li 1+ x Al x Ge 2– x (PO 4 ) 3 solid solution.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Understanding the Reactivity and Decomposition of a Highly Active Iron Pincer Catalyst for Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation Reactions

The iron pincer complex ( iPr PNP)Fe(H)(CO) (1, iPr PNP – = N(CH 2 CH 2 PiPr 2 ) 2 - ) is an active (pre)catalyst for many hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions. This is in part because 1 can reversibly add H 2 across the iron-amide bond to form ( iPr PN H P)Fe(H) 2 (CO) (2, iPr PN H P = HN(CH 2 CH 2 P i Pr 2 ) 2 ). However, rapid decomposition limits the catalytic performance of 1 and related complexes. We explored the pathways through which catalytic intermediates related to 1 and 2 undergo decomposition. This involved characterizing the unstable and previously unobserved complexes [( iPr PN H P)Fe(H)(CO)(L)] + (5-L; L = THF or N 2 ) and [( iPr PN H P)Fe(H)(H 2 )(CO)] + (8), which are proposed as intermediates when 1 and 2 are used as catalysts. Compound 8 was synthesized through the reaction of ( iPr PN H P)Fe(H)(CO)(PF 6 ) (6) with H 2 , and the solid-state structure was established using both X-ray and neutron diffraction. As part of our studies on understanding the reactivity of 5-L, we determined the thermodynamic hydricity of 2, which is valuable for predicting its reactivity as a hydride donor. Further, it is shown that species such as 5-L decompose to the same inactive species observed in catalysis using 1 and 2, and theoretical calculations suggest that this likely occurs via a bimolecular pathway. To provide support for this hypothesis, we isolated the dimeric species [{( iPr PN H P)Fe(H)(CO)} 2 {μ-CN}] + (11) and [{( iPr PN H P)Fe(H)(CO)} 2 {μ-OC(H)O}] + (12), which show that catalytic intermediates ligated by iPr PN H P can form dimeric species. Our results provide general strategies for improving catalysis using 1 and 2, and we used this information to rationally increase the performance of 1 in formic acid dehydrogenation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hyperconjugation Promotes Catalysis in a Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate-Dependent Enzyme

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzymes facilitate reaction specificity by aligning the scissile σ-bond of the PLP-substrate covalent complex perpendicular to the ring of the cofactor. Current models propose that this alignment causes a destabilization of the ground state. To test this hypothesis, quantum chemical calculations, utilizing our recent neutron diffraction models of aspartate aminotransferase, were performed. The calculations reveal that the scissile σ-bond orbital overlaps significantly with the π* orbital of the Schiff base. Here, this σ → π* hyperconjugation interaction stabilizes the ground state of the external aldimine and substantially contributes to transition-state stabilization by withdrawing electron density from the Cα-H σ bond into the π system of PLP, enhancing the rate of catalysis.

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

Li 3– x Zr x (Ho/Lu) 1– x Cl 6 Solid Electrolytes Enable Ultrahigh-Loading Solid-State Batteries with a Prelithiated Si Anode

We report two new families of lithium metal chloride solid electrolytes Li 3–x Zr x (M) 1–x Cl 6 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8; M = Ho or Lu) with ionic conductivities of up to 1.8 mS cm –1 and a low activation energy of 0.34 eV. Structural elucidation via high-resolution neutron diffraction determines the Li ion distribution in trigonal Li 3 HoCl 6 , orthorhombic-I Li 3 LuCl 6 , and orthorhombic-II Li 2.4 Zr 0.6 (Ho/Lu) 0.4 Cl 6 . The last compound exhibits well-connected Li-ion pathways and abundant Li-ion carriers/vacancies to promote diffusion. All-solid-state batteries with Li 2.6 Zr 0.4 (Ho/Lu) 0.6 Cl 6 solid electrolytes and NCM85 cathodes exhibit stable cycling up to 4.6 V vs Li + /Li, which is even preserved up to 4.8 V. Stable cathode interphases are formed for both electrolytes upon cycling to 4.3, 4.6, and 4.8 V cutoff potentials, as identified by a ToF-SIMS analysis. Solid-state cells with a prelithiated Li 0.7 Si anode exhibit a significantly increased initial coulombic efficiency of 94.5% compared to Si and a high areal capacity of up to 16.3 mAh·cm –2 .

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

Comparative Analysis of Reactivity of Al and Ga Doped Garnet Solid State Electrolyte at the Interface with Li Metal

Lithium garnet (Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 , LLZO) based solid electrolytes are leading candidate materials for all-solid-state batteries with lithium metal anodes because of their high ionic conductivity, high mechanical toughness, and superior electrochemical stability. While doping LLZO with Al and Ga increases its ionic conductivity by stabilizing the cubic phase, the impact of dopants on its (electro)chemical stability at the interfaces with Li metal is critical. Here, our study of differences between Al- and Ga-doped LLZO when interfaced with lithium metal using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory shows a higher propensity of Ga to move across LLZO interface with Li metal and form Ga-Li alloy. Additionally, neutron diffraction reveals loss of cubic phase resulting from the loss of dopant that explains electrochemical behavior differences between Ga- and Al-doped LLZO. Overall, our study reveals the key role of dopant chemistry in enabling stable solid electrolyte materials for all-solid-state batteries.

Klenk, Matthew↗
DOE OSTI2019

Elucidating the Limit of Li Insertion into the Spinel Li 4 Ti 5 O 12

Here in this work, we show that the well-known lithium-ion anode material, Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , exhibits exceptionally high initial capacity of 310 mAh g –1 when it is discharged to 0.01 V. It maintains a reversible capacity of 230 mAh g –1 , far exceeding the “theoretical” capacity of 175 mAh g –1 when this anode is lithiated to the composition Li 7 Ti 5 O 12 . Neutron diffraction analyses identify that additional Li reversibly enters into the Li 7 Ti 5 O 12 to form Li 8 Ti 5 O 12 . density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the average potentials of the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 to Li 7 Ti 5 O 12 step and the Li 7 Ti 5 O 12 to Li 8 Ti 5 O 12 step are 1.57 and 0.19 V, respectively, which are in excellent agreement with experimental results. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies confirm that the irreversible capacity of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 during its first cycle originates from the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer. This work clarifies the fundamental lithiation mechanism of the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , when lithiated to 0.01 V vs L

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2019

An Ordered P2/P3 Composite Layered Oxide Cathode with Long Cycle Life in Sodium-Ion Batteries

Developing stable cathode materials represents a crucial step toward long-life sodium-ion batteries. P2-type layered oxides are important as cathodes for their reversibility, but their long-term performance in full cells remains a key challenge. Herein, we report Na 0.75 Co 0.125 Cu 0.125 Fe 0.125 Ni 0.125 Mn 0.5 O 2 with an intergrowth of ordered P2 and P3 phases, studied by neutron diffraction and Rietveld refinement. A stable electrochemical performance is achieved in Na half cells with 100% capacity retention at a rate of C/10 after 100 cycles (initial capacity of 90 mAh/g), 96% capacity retention at a rate of 1 C after 500 cycles (initial capacity of 70 mAh/g), and 85% capacity retention at a rate of 5 C after 1000 cycles (initial capacity of 55 mAh/g). Stable full cell performance is achieved with 84.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at a rate of 1 C. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and imaging are applied to elucidate the relationship between chemical/structural evolution and battery performance. A reversible local and global structural evolution is observed during initial cycles. Meanwhile, the challenges with enabling prolonged cycling (beyond 1000 cycles) may be associated with Fe dissolution and formation of a copper oxide phase. This study implies that cathodes with complex chemical and structural formations may stabilize electrochemical performance and highlights the importance of decoupling the contribution of each transition metal to performance degradation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Integrating Density Functional Theory Calculations with Vibrational and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

This review focuses on the complementary nature of density functional theory calculations and spectroscopic studies related to cellulose and its interactions within plant cell walls (PCWs). The complexity, structural disorder, and nanoscale nature of PCWs make them difficult to analyze and understand, but advances in sum-frequency generation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies as well as in density functional theory have made it possible to elucidate structure not observable previously. Combined with other techniques such as wide-angle X-ray scattering and neutron diffraction, details of PCW components (e.g., cellulose, lignin, pectin) and their interactions with one another can be elucidated. Furthermore, these techniques provide new insight into biological and biochemical studies and provide a basis for creating improved models of the PCWs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Probing the Local Site Disorder and Distortion in Pyrochlore High-Entropy Oxides

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) have attracted great interest in diverse fields because of their inherent opportunities to tailor and combine materials functionalities. The control of local order/disorder in the class is by extension a grand challenge toward realizing their vast potential. In this paper, we report the first examples of pyrochlore HEOs with five M-site cations, for Nd 2 M 2 O 7 , in which the local structure has been investigated by neutron diffraction and pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. The average structure of the pyrochlores is found to be orthorhombic Imma, in agreement with radius-ratio rules governing the structural archetype. The computed PDFs from density functional theory relaxed special quasirandom structure models are compared with real space PDFs in this work to evaluate M-site order/disorder. Reverse Monte Carlo combined with ab initio molecular dynamics and Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations demonstrates that Nd 2 (Ta 0.2 Sc 0.2 Sn 0.2 Hf 0.2 Zr 0.2 ) 2 O 7 is synthesized with its M-site local to nanoscale order highly randomized/disordered, while Nd 2 (Ti 0.2 Nb 0.2 Sn 0.2 Hf 0.2 Zr 0.2 ) 2 O 7+x exhibits a strong distortion of the TiO 6 octahedron and small degree of Ti chemical short-range order (SRO) on the subnanometer scale. Calculations suggest that this may be intrinsic, energetically favored SRO rather than due to sample processing. These results offer an important demonstration that the engineered variation of participating ions in HEOs, even among those with very similar radii, provides richly diverse opportunities to control local order/disorder motifs—and therefore materials properties for future designs. This work also hints at the exquisite level of detail that may be needed in computational and experimental data analysis to guide structure–property tuning in the emerging HEO materials class.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ambient-Temperature Hydrogen Storage via Vanadium(II)-Dihydrogen Complexation in a Metal-Organic Framework

In this report, the widespread implementation of H 2 as a fuel is currently hindered by the high pressures or cryogenic temperatures required to achieve reasonable storage densities. In contrast, the realization of materials that strongly and reversibly adsorb hydrogen at ambient temperatures and moderate pressures could transform the transportation sector and expand adoption of fuel cells in other applications. To date, however, no adsorbent has been identified that exhibits a binding enthalpy within the optimal range of -15 to -25 kJ/mol for ambient-temperature hydrogen storage. Here, we report the hydrogen adsorption properties of the metal-organic framework (MOF) V 2 Cl 2.8 (btdd) (H 2 btdd, bis(1 H -1,2,3-triazolo[4,5- b ],[4',5'- i ])dibenzo[1,4]dioxin), which features exposed vanadium(II) sites capable of backbonding with weak π acids. Significantly, gas adsorption data reveal that this material binds H 2 with an enthalpy of -21 kJ/mol. This binding energy enables usable hydrogen capacities that exceed that of compressed storage under the same operating conditions. The Kubas-type vanadium(II)-dihydrogen complexation is characterized by a combination of techniques. From powder neutron diffraction data, a V-D 2 (centroid) distance of 1.966(8) Å is obtained, the shortest yet reported for a MOF. Using in situ infrared spectroscopy, the H-H stretch was identified, and it displays a red shift of 242 cm -1 . Electronic structure calculations show that a main contribution to bonding stems from the interaction between the vanadium d π and H 2 σ* orbital. Ultimately, the pursuit of MOFs containing high densities of weakly π-basic metal sites may enable storage capacities under ambient conditions that far surpass those accessible with compressed gas storage.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chloride Reduction of Mn 3+ in Mild Hydrothermal Synthesis of a Charge Ordered Defect Pyrochlore, CsMn 2+ Mn 3+ F 6 , a Canted Antiferromagnet with a Hard Ferromagnetic Component

Geometrically frustrated systems play an important role in studying new physical phenomena and unconventional thermodynamics. Charge ordered defect pyrochlores AM 2+ M 3+ F 6 offer a convenient platform for probing the interplay between electron distribution over M 2+ and M 3+ sites and structural distortions; however, they are limited to compounds with M 2+/3+ = V, Fe, Ni, and Cu due to difficulties in the simultaneous stabilization of other 3d elements in the +2 and +3 oxidation states. Herein, we employ Cl– anions under hydrothermal conditions for the mild reduction of Mn 2 O 3 in concentrated HF to obtain the CsMn 2+ Mn 3+ F 6 composition as a phase pure sample and study its properties. The magnetism of CsMn 2 F 6 was characterized by measuring the magnetic susceptibility and isothermal magnetization data, and a magnetic transition to a canted antiferromagnet state was found at 24.1 K. We determined the magnetic structure of CsMn 2 F 6 using powder neutron diffraction, which revealed successive long-range ordering of the Mn 2+ and Mn 3+ sites that is accompanied by a second transition. As a result, the role and strength of magnetic exchange interactions were characterized using DFT calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Ferromagnetic Cr 4 PtGa 17 : A Half-Heusler-Type Compound with a Breathing Pyrochlore Lattice

Here, we describe the crystal structure and elementary magnetic properties of a previously unreported ternary intermetallic compound, Cr 4 PtGa 17 , which crystallizes in a rhombohedral unit cell in the noncentrosymmetric space group R3m. The crystal structure is closely related to those of XYZ half-Heusler compounds, where X, Y, and Z are reported to be single elements only, occupying three different face-centered-cubic sublattices. The new material, Cr 4 PtGa 17 , can be most straightforwardly illustrated by writing the formula as (PtGa 2 )(Cr 4 Ga 14 )Ga (X = PtGa 2 , Y = Cr 4 Ga 14 , Z = Ga); that is, the X and Y sites are occupied by clusters instead of single elements. The magnetic Cr occupies a breathing pyrochlore lattice. Ferromagnetic ordering is found below T C ~ 61 K, by both neutron diffraction and magnetometer studies, with a small, saturated moment of ~0.25 μ B /Cr observed at 2 K, making Cr 4 PtGa 17 the first ferromagnetically ordered material with a breathing pyrochlore lattice. A magnetoresistance of ~140% was observed at 2 K. DFT calculations suggest that the material has a nearly half-metallic electronic structure. The new material, Cr 4 PtGa 17 , the first realization of both a half-Heusler-type structure and a breathing pyrochlore lattice, might pave a new way to achieve novel types of half-Heusler compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2021

Observation of an Intermediate to H 2 Binding in a Metal–Organic Framework

Coordinatively unsaturated metal sites within certain zeolites and metal–organic frameworks can strongly adsorb a wide array of substrates. While many classical examples involve electron-poor metal cations that interact with adsorbates largely through physical interactions, unsaturated electron-rich metal centers housed within porous frameworks can often chemisorb guests amenable to redox activity or covalent bond formation. Despite the promise that materials bearing such sites hold in addressing myriad challenges in gas separations and storage, very few studies have directly interrogated mechanisms of chemisorption at open metal sites within porous frameworks. Here, we show that nondissociative chemisorption of H 2 at the trigonal pyramidal Cu + sites in the metal–organic framework Cu I -MFU- 4 l occurs via the intermediacy of a metastable physisorbed precursor species. In situ powder neutron diffraction experiments enable crystallographic characterization of this intermediate, the first time that this has been accomplished for any material. Evidence for a precursor intermediate is also afforded from temperature-programmed desorption and density functional theory calculations. Here, the activation barrier separating the precursor species from the chemisorbed state is shown to correlate with a change in the Cu + coordination environment that enhances p-backbonding with H 2 . Ultimately, these findings demonstrate that adsorption at framework metal sites does not always follow a concerted pathway and underscore the importance of probing kinetics in the design of next-generation adsorbents.

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

Direct Observation of Ammonia Storage in UiO-66 Incorporating Cu(II) Binding Sites

The presence of active sites in metal–organic framework (MOF) materials can control and affect their performance significantly in adsorption and catalysis. However, revealing the interactions between the substrate and active sites in MOFs at atomic precision remains a challenging task. Here, we report the direct observation of binding of NH 3 in a series of UiO-66 materials containing atomically dispersed defects and open Cu(I) and Cu(II) sites. While all MOFs in this series exhibit similar surface areas (1111–1135 m 2 g –1 ), decoration of the -OH site in UiO-66-defect with Cu(II) results in a 43% enhancement of the isothermal uptake of NH 3 at 273 K and 1.0 bar from 11.8 in UiO-66-defect to 16.9 mmol g –1 in UiO-66-Cu II . A 100% enhancement of dynamic adsorption of NH 3 at a concentration level of 630 ppm from 2.07 mmol g –1 in UiO-66-defect to 4.15 mmol g –1 in UiO-66-Cu II at 298 K is observed. In situ neutron powder diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering, and electron paramagnetic resonance, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopies, coupled with modeling reveal that the enhanced NH 3 uptake in UiO-66-Cu II originates from a {Cu(II)···NH 3 } interaction, with a reversible change in geometry at Cu(II) from near-linear to trigonal coordination. This work represents the first example of structural elucidation of NH 3 binding in MOFs containing open metal sites and will inform the design of new efficient MOF sorbents by targeted control of active sites for NH 3 capture and storage.

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

Hidden Local Symmetry Breaking in a Kagome-Lattice Magnetic Weyl Semimetal

Exploring the relationship between intriguing physical properties and structural complexity is a central topic in studying modern functional materials. Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , a newly discovered kagome-lattice magnetic Weyl semimetal, has triggered intense interest owing to the intimate coupling between topological semimetallic states and peculiar magnetic properties. However, the origins of the magnetic phase separation and spin glass state below T C in this ordered compound are two unresolved yet important puzzles in understanding its magnetism. Here, we report the discovery of local symmetry breaking surprisingly co-emerges with the onset of ferromagnetic order in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , by a combined use of neutron total scattering and half-polarized neutron diffraction. An anisotropic distortion of the cobalt kagome lattice at the atomic/nano level is also found, with distinct distortion directions among the two Co1 and four Co2 atoms. The mismatch of local and average symmetries occurs below T C , indicating that Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 evolves to an intrinsically lattice disordered system when the ferromagnetic order is established. The local symmetry breaking with intrinsic lattice disorder provides new understanding of the puzzling magnetic properties. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the local symmetry breaking is expected to reorient local ferromagnetic moments, unveiling the existence of the ferromagnetic instability associated with the lattice instability. Furthermore, DFT calculation unveils that the local symmetry breaking could affect the Weyl property by breaking the mirror plane. In conclusion, our findings highlight the fundamentally important role that the local symmetry breaking plays in advancing our understanding on the magnetic and topological properties in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , which may draw attention to explore the overlooked local symmetry breaking in Co 3 Sn 2 S 2 , its derivatives and more broadly in other topological Dirac/Weyl semimetals and kagome-lattice magnets.

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

Entropy Engineering and Tunable Magnetic Order in the Spinel High-Entropy Oxide

Spinel oxides are an ideal setting to explore the interplay between configurational entropy, site selectivity, and magnetism in high-entropy oxides (HEOs). In this work, we characterize the magnetic properties of the spinel (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) 3 O 4 and study the evolution of its magnetism as a function of nonmagnetic gallium substitution. Across the range of compositions studied here, from 0 to 40% Ga, magnetic susceptibility and powder neutron diffraction measurements show that ferrimagnetic order is robust in the spinel HEO. However, we also find that the ferrimagnetic order is highly tunable, with the ordering temperature, saturated and sublattice moments, and magnetic hardness all varying significantly as a function of Ga concentration. Through X-ray absorption and magnetic circular dichroism, we are able to correlate this magnetic tunability with strong site selectivity between the various cations and the tetrahedral and octahedral sites in the spinel structure. In particular, we find that while Ni and Cr are largely unaffected by the substitution with Ga, the occupancies of Mn, Co, and Fe are each significantly redistributed. Ga substitution also requires an overall reduction in the transition metal valence, and this is entirely accommodated by Mn. Finally, we show that while site selectivity has an overall suppressing effect on the configurational entropy, over a certain range of compositions, Ga substitution yields a striking increase in the configurational entropy and may confer additional stabilization. In conclusion, spinel oxides can be tuned seamlessly from the low-entropy to the high-entropy regime, making this an ideal platform for entropy engineering.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗