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At least 91 records · Page 5

Layer-by-layer growth of graphene oxide multilayers using robust interlayer linking chemistry. 1. Zr-bisphosphates

Graphene oxide (GO) holds substantial interest because of its utility in applications ranging from chemical sensing to catalysis and energy storage. We report on the layer-by-layer formation of graphene oxide phosphate (P-GO) multilayers on silica and oxidized silicon supports, with the layers connected via Zr-bisphosphate (ZP) linking chemistry. Layers were grown either directly by ZP linkages between P-GO sheets, or with the use of 1,4-phenylene bisphosphate (BP1) or [1,1′-biphenyl]4,4′-diyl bisphosphate (BP2). The layers have been characterized using optical null ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There is a linear dependence of assembly thickness on the number of layers deposited and the integrated area of the optical absorbance bands also increases linearly with number of layers deposited. XPS data provides information on interlayer linking stoichiometry. SEM images provide insight into the morphology of the adlayers, suggesting the structure and length of the interlayer linking moieties used in the multilayer assembly play a significant role in the organization of the resulting system.

Mukherjee, Neelanjana [Michigan State University, ↗

Identification of Blue Discoloration in PBX 9404 using Ultrahigh Pressure Liquid Chromatography with Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

PBX 9404, composed of 94 wt% HMX (1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazoctane), 3 wt% NC (nitrocellulose), 2.9 wt% CEF (tris(beta-chloroethyl) phosphate) and 0.1 wt% DPA (diphenylamine), has often been observed with a slight to entire blue discoloration of the manufactured prills. This blue discoloration has been observed since the formulation development of PBX 9404 in the late 1950s. In order to determine the source of the blue discoloration in PBX 9404, ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) absorbance of PBX 9404 and two potential candidates for the discoloration, p-nitrosodiphenylamine (p-NDPA) and N-nitrosodiphenylamine (N-NDPA) were evaluated. An absorbance band at 590 nm in PBX 9404 sample was attributed to the blue discoloration while p-NDPA and N-NPDA had different absorbance bands. Using the knowledge gained from the UV/Vis analysis, a semi-targeted approach using ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography coupled to UV/Vis detector and quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-UV/Vis-QTOF) was implemented. Investigating the UHPLC-UV/Vis-QTOF chromatograms at a wavelength of 590 nm, a single compound was tentatively identified as being the source of the blue discoloration. Targeted tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) on the compound and subsequent analysis indicated that 4,4 -{[4-(Phenylimino)-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene]methylene}bis(N-phenylaniline), also known as Spirit Blue Base, was the source of the blue discoloration, which was confirmed using a standard. Here, a theory on the formation of Spirit Blue Base in PBX 9404 involving DPA, nitric acid (HNO 3 ) / nitrogen oxide(s) NO x , and formaldehyde is proposed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nanoporous Titanium (Oxy)nitride Films as Broadband Solar Absorbers

Broadband absorption of solar light is a key aspect in many applications that involve an efficient conversion of solar energy to heat. Titanium nitride (TiN)-based materials, in the form of periodic arrays of nanostructures or multilayers, can promote significant heat generation upon illumination thanks to their efficient light absorption and refractory character. In this work, pulsed laser deposition was chosen as a synthesis technique to shift metallic bulk-like TiN to nanoparticle-assembled hierarchical oxynitride (TiO x N y ) films by increasing the background gas deposition pressure. The nanoporous hierarchical films exhibit a tree-like morphology, a strong broadband solar absorption (~90% from the UV to the near-infrared range), and could generate temperatures of ~475 °C under moderate light concentration (17 Suns). The high heat generation achieved by treelike films is ascribed to their porous morphology, nanocrystalline structure, and oxynitride composition, which overall contribute to a superior light trapping and dissipation to heat. These properties pave the way for the implementation of such films as solar absorber structures.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Probing large-scale UV background inhomogeneity associated with quasars using metal absorption

ABSTRACT We study large-scale UV background inhomogeneity in three-dimensions associated with the observed quasar populations at high redshift. We do this by measuring metal absorption through quasar absorption spectrum stacking as a function distance to closest quasar in SDSS-IV/eBOSS on 10 s of comoving megaparsec scales. We study both intergalactic medium absorbers and mixed circumgalactic medium absorbers and probe absorption in O vi, C iv, and Si iv, and Si iii. Overall, stronger high ionization species absorption is seen closer to quasars at 2.4 < z < 3.1. O vi absorption shows a particularly strong change, with effects in C iv evident in some cases, and more marginal effects in Si iii and Si iv. We further study 2.05 < z < 2.4 (with weak signs of increasing homogeneity with time) and explore the study of metal absorption as a function of integrated SDSS-r band flux quasar flux (yielding consistent but less significant results). While the metal absorption does show sensitivity to large-scale 3D quasar proximity, the current incomplete quasar samples limit detailed interpretation. This work does, however, demonstrate that UV background inhomogeneities exist on scales of several 10 s of comoving megaparsecs associated with quasars and that they can be measured with precision by examining metal absorption in the intergalactic medium.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Tailoring electron transfer pathway for photocatalytic N 2 -to-NH 3 reduction in a CdS quantum dots-nitrogenase system

The combination of abiotic photosensitizers with purified enzymes in a biohybrid system offers a promising pathway to utilizing light to accomplish challenging chemical transformations and provides insights into the rational photocatalytic system design for efficient solar-to-chemical energy conversion. In this work, we demonstrate a hybrid photocatalytic system for ammonia production from N2 by combining cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs) and Mo-nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii, composed of the iron protein (FeP) and the molybdenum-iron protein (MoFeP). Photoexcited electrons from the CdS QD are delivered by an electron transfer mediator through the FeP to the catalytic MoFeP. The complete system was optimized for the ligand on the CdS QDs, mediators, and reaction conditions. The best results were achieved with β-mercaptoethanol as a QD ligand. The mediator test revealed that 1,1'-bis(3-sulfonatopropyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium (SPr)2V (-0.4 V vs. NHE) supports the reduction of protons and N 2 to H 2 and ammonia catalyzed by nitrogenase. However, in the presence of 1,1'-trimethylene-2,2'-bipyridinium TQ (-0.54 V vs. NHE) as a mediator, nitrogenase catalysis resulted in remarkably more products. The UV-vis and in situ potentiometric studies revealed that better performance with TQ is achieved due to the significantly more negative solution potential allowing for efficient reduction of FeP. As a result, the quantum yield for conversion of absorbed photons to ammonia attains 16%, far exceeding that of previously reported nitrogenase-based systems. This work reveals the importance of tuning the electron transfer pathways in photocatalytic systems and illustrates a potent strategy for efficient electronic coupling of a photosensitizer and an N 2 reduction catalyst.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Control of the optical properties of gum and dentin tissue of a human tooth at laser spectral lines in the range of 200 – 800 nm

A change in the optical properties of the tissue of the gums and dentin of a human tooth is experimentally investigated in vitro with the application of a 99.5 % glycerol solution. The kinetics of the total transmittance in the spectral range of 200 – 800 nm on characteristic laser lines is studied. It is shown that the effectiveness of optical clearing, expressed as a relative increase in the total transmittance, for gum tissue in the laser radiation range of 200 – 800 nm can vary significantly (by an order of magnitude). In this case, the absolute values of optical transmittance in the UV region are relatively small due to the strong absorption by the endogenous chromophores of the studied tissues, and in the visible and NIR regions, on the contrary, they are significant, which is due to the absence of strongly absorbing chromophores. The effectiveness of dentin clearing in the entire visible and NIR spectral regions is on average 25 % for 300 minutes of immersion of the sample in a 99.5 % glycerol solution. The presented results are necessary for increasing the efficiency of laser therapy and methods for optical monitoring of morphological changes in biological tissues for the purpose of early diagnosis of diseases. (paper)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Near-infrared spectra and molar absorption coefficients of trivalent lanthanides dissolved in molten LiCl–KCl eutectic

Determining the concentration of the dissolved lanthanide species in LiCl–KCl eutectic salt is important to the development of pyrochemical reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. In this process, lanthanide fission products are found dissolved in the electrorefiner electrolyte in their trivalent oxidation state. The presence of dissolved trivalent lanthanides increases the liquidus temperature of the electrolyte mixture and can lead to the formation of insoluble oxide or oxychloride phases and must therefore be continuously monitored and controlled during the operation. Absorbance spectroscopy is a promising method for continuous measurement of the concentration of lanthanides and other elements dissolved in the electrolyte. The absorption of light by elements is linearly proportional to the concentration of the element for relatively dilute solutions according to the Beer-Lambert law. Although measurement of the absorption of ultraviolet and visible range light by lanthanides in LiCl–KCl eutectic molten salt have been explored previously, near infrared (NIR) absorption spectroscopy has received far less attention. It may, however, provide a better analytical signal when insoluble phases are present due to less Raleigh scattering compared to shorter wavelength radiation. Additionally, it may allow for concentration determination for certain elements using NIR absorption features where UV and visible range features are overlapping with features from other species. In this study, we report the UV–Vis–NIR spectra of the trivalent lanthanide chlorides of neodymium, samarium, and dysprosium in LiCl–KCl eutectic. Molar absorption coefficients are reported for analytically useful absorption maxima, with a focus on the molar absorption coefficients for NIR absorption maxima which have not been reported previously. Additionally, we observe a NIR-range absorption band of Nd3+ which was previously predicted but never experimentally observed. Here, we compare the calculated crystal field levels to the newly observed absorbance band and find them to be in good agreement with previous predictions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Conservation laws and effective hadronization models

Hadronization models based on local string-breaking dynamics are typically Markovian by construction, yet the physical ensemble of final states is shaped by global constraints that couple the entire fragmentation trajectory. Recasting hadronization as a conditioned stochastic diffusion process provides a precise mathematical resolution to this tension. In particular, this language reveals explicitly that constraints stemming from conservation laws induce non-Markovian correlations between otherwise independent fragmentation steps, and that these correlations can be absorbed exactly into a renormalization of the local dynamics through a Doob $h$-transform. We develop this formalism for a $q\bar{q}$ string in the chiral limit, where the longitudinal-transverse factorization of the Lund kernel becomes exact, enabling systematic power counting and clean ultraviolet (UV)/infrared (IR) separation. The dynamics organize naturally into a tower of effective theories distinguished by the remaining string mass, spanning a UV fixed point with scale-invariant transport coefficients, an intermediate regime where transverse phase space induces controlled running, and an IR boundary layer where non-local effects enter at leading order. The tower exhibits genuine Wilsonian structure, including $β$-functions, anomalous dimensions, and systematic matching conditions. The resulting framework achieves a clean factorization of universal microscopic fragmentation dynamics from infrared constraint effects, and opens new directions for both the theoretical analysis and practical simulation of hadronization.

Menzo, Tony [Alabama U.; Fermilab] (ORCID:00000002↗

Multiphase Processing of the Water-Soluble and Insoluble Phases of Biomass Burning Organic Aerosol

Biomass burning is one of the most significant sources of organic aerosol in the atmosphere. Biomass burning organic aerosol (BBOA) has been observed to undergo liquid– liquid phase separation (LLPS) to give core–shell morphology with the hydrophobic phase encapsulating the hydrophilic phase, potentially impacting the evolution of light-absorbing components, i.e., brown carbon (BrC), through multiphase processes. Here, we demonstrate how multiphase processing differs between the watersoluble (i.e., hydrophilic) and insoluble (i.e., hydrophobic) phases of BBOA in terms of reactive uptake of ozone in a coated-wall flow tube. Effects of relative humidity (RH) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation were investigated. Experimental timeseries were used to inform simulations using multilayer kinetic modeling. Among non-irradiated thin films, the uptake coefficient was greatest for the water-soluble phase at 75% RH (3 × 10 –5 , corresponding to a diffusion coefficient of BrC, D BrC , of 3 × 10 –9 cm 2 s –1 ) and least for the same phase at 0% RH (1 × 10 –5 , corresponding to D BrC of 1 × 10 –10 cm 2 s –1 ). The uptake coefficient for the water-insoluble phase fell between these two (about 1.5 × 10 –5 ), regardless of RH, and the corresponding D BrC increased only slightly (8 × 10 –10 cm 2 s –1 at 0% RH to 9 × 10 –10 cm 2 s –1 at 75% RH). The uptake coefficients of both phases at 0% RH decreased significantly after UV irradiation, consistent with a transition from viscous liquid to solid and supported by qualitative microscopy observations. Modeling multiphase ozone oxidation of primary BrC components in the atmosphere demonstrated, first, that LLPS may extend the lifetime of water-soluble BBOA encapsulated by water-insoluble species by a factor of 1.5 at moderate to high RH and, also, that UV irradiation may extend the lifetime of both phases by more than a factor of 2.5.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ionization Yield in Silicon for eV-Scale Electron-Recoil Processes

The development of single charge resolving, macroscopic silicon detectors has opened a window into rare processes at the O(eV) scale. In order to reconstruct the energy of a given event, or model the charge signal obtained for a given amount of energy absorbed by the electrons in a detector, an accurate charge yield model is needed. In this paper we review existing measurements of charge yield in Silicon, focusing in particular on the region below 1 keV. We highlight a calibration gap between 12-50 eV (referred to as the "UV-gap") and employ a phenomenological model of impact ionization to explore the likely charge yield in this energy regime. Finally, we explore the impact of variations in this model on a test case, that of dark matter scattering off electrons, to illustrate the scientific impact of uncertainties in charge yield.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Utilizing a Database of Simulated Geometric Albedo Spectra for Photometric Characterization of Rocky Exoplanet Atmospheres

In anticipation of future flagship missions focused on the goal of achieving direct imaging of rocky exoplanets, we have developed a database of models to help the community examine the potential spectral characteristics of a broad range of rocky planet atmospheres. Using the publicly available Planetary Spectrum Generator, we have computed a grid of 141,600 rocky exoplanet geometric albedo spectra across a seven-dimensional parameter space. Using this grid, we have performed a color–color analysis seeking to identify the most useful near-UV and red or near-infrared photometric follow-up channels to combine with a green-optical (discovery) spectral channel. We found that a combination of filters at 0.4, 0.58, and ∼0.8 μm were able to distinguish between atmospheres with moderate-to-high concentrations of four different dominant absorbing constituents, given at least 10 hr of observation on a star at 10 parsec with a 15 m class space telescope; however, more moderate abundances similar to those of solar system rocky bodies would be more challenging to detect. We recommend that future missions seeking to characterize directly imaged rocky exoplanets by colors alone further consider multiband photometry as a first discriminator for planetary characteristics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Photochemical Decomposition of Y‐Series Non‐Fullerene Acceptors Is Responsible for Degradation of High‐Efficiency Organic Solar Cells

Abstract Organic photovoltaic cells that employ Y‐series non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) have recently achieved impressive power‐conversion efficiencies (>18%). To fulfill their commercial promise, it is important to quantify their operational lifetimes and understand their degradation mechanisms. In this work, the spectral‐dependent photostability of films and solar cells comprising several Y‐series acceptors and the donor polymer PM6 is investigated systematically. By applying longpass filters during aging, it is shown that UV/near‐UV photons are responsible for the photochemical decomposition of Y‐series acceptors; this degradation is the primary driver of early solar cell performance losses. Using mass spectrometry, the vinylene linkage between the core and electron‐accepting moieties of Y‐series acceptors is identified as the weak point susceptible to cleavage under UV‐illumination. Employing a series of device characterization, along with numerical simulations, the efficiency losses in organic photovoltaic cells are attributed to the formation of traps, which reduces charge extraction efficiency and facilitates non‐radiative recombination as the Y‐series acceptors degrade. This study provides new insights for molecular degradation of organic photovoltaic absorber materials and highlights the importance of future molecular design and strategies for improved solar cell stability.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Use of wire grid polarizers with liquid crystal display for large-volume stereolithography

Spatial light modulators that use liquid crystal devices (LCDs) to pattern ultraviolet light for vat polymerization suffer from a few limitations: limited range of wavelengths that can be patterned, low damage threshold for incoming light, and low efficiency of light transmission. A monochrome LCD can more efficiently transmit useful wavelengths of light for stereolithography (365–405 nm) than a color LCD, but it still contains two absorptive film polarizers that suffer from the aforementioned limitations. Wire grid polarizers reflect rather than absorb the blocked polarizations of light, resulting in a higher intensity damage threshold. They can also polarize lower wavelength light that is limited only by the wire pitch. In this work, this research investigates the effects of replacing an LCD’s film polarizers with wire grid polarizers to enable polarization and patterning of high intensity UV light, resulting in shorter curing times and the ability to print a wider range of stereolithography feedstocks.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Effective Storage of Electrons in Water by the Formation of Highly Reduced Polyoxometalate Clusters

Aqueous solutions of polyoxometalates (POMs) have been shown to have potential as high-capacity energy storage materials due to their potential for multi-electron redox processes, yet the mechanism of reduction and practical limits are currently unknown. Herein, we explore the mechanism of multi-electron redox processes that allow the highly reduced POM clusters of the form {MO 3 } y to absorb y electrons in aqueous solution, focusing mechanistically on the Wells-Dawson structure X 6 [P 2 W 18 O 62 ], which comprises 18 metal centers and can uptake up to 18 electrons reversibly (y = 18) per cluster in aqueous solution when the countercations are lithium. This unconventional redox activity is rationalized by density functional theory, molecular dynamics simulations, UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering spectra. These data point to a new phenomenon showing that cluster protonation and aggregation allow the formation of highly electron-rich meta-stable systems in aqueous solution, which produce H 2 when the solution is diluted. Finally, we show that this understanding is transferrable to other salts of [P 5 W 30 O 110 ] 15- and [P 8 W 48 O 184 ] 40- anions, which can be charged to 23 and 27 electrons per cluster, respectively.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Long-Lived Excited State in a Solubilized Graphene Nanoribbon

Graphene nanoribbons have excellent light-absorbing properties, but often exhibit short excited-state lifetimes that prevent their applications in photocatalysis. Here, we report a long-lived charge-transfer triplet excited state in a well solubilized, chlorinated graphene nanoribbon (Cl-GNR) with edges modified by bipyrimidine (bpm) moieties. The photophysical behavior of Cl-GNR was observed and characterized by steady-state UV-vis absorption and emission spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy on the ps-ms timescale, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In this work, both the Cl-GNR and its monomeric subunit, chlorinated graphene quantum dot (Cl-GQD), were synthesized using bottom-up techniques to produce the H- analogs of the compounds followed by edge-chlorination to achieve soluble products. The absorption spectra of Cl-GQD and Cl-GNR appear in the UV-vis range with lowest-energy peaks at 375 and 600 nm, respectively. The excitons in Cl-GNR were found to exhibit charge-transfer character with the bpm edges serving as electron acceptors. DFT calculations indicate that the excitons are relatively localized, spreading over at most two monomeric units of the GNR. Transient absorption spectroscopy shows that singlet excited states of Cl-GQD and Cl-GNR undergo intersystem crossing with ~300 ps lifetime to form triplet states that last for 15.7 μs (Cl-GQD) and 106 μs (Cl-GNR). These properties, combined with the ability of the bpm sites to coordinate transition metals, make Cl-GNRs promising light-harvesting motifs for photocatalytic applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

A biohybrid strategy for enabling photoredox catalysis with low-energy light

Natural systems drive the high-energy reactions of photosynthesis with efficient and broadband energy capture. Transition-metal photocatalysts similarly convert light into chemical reactivity, and yet suffer from light-limited operation and require blue-to-UV excitation. In photosynthesis, both light capture and reactivity have been optimized by separation into distinct sites. In this work, inspired by this modular architecture, we synthesized a biohybrid photocatalyst by covalent attachment of the photosynthetic light-harvesting protein R-phycoerythrin (RPE) to the transition-metal photocatalyst tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) ([Ru(bpy) 3 ] 2+ ). Spectroscopic investigation found that absorbed photoenergy was efficiently funneled from RPE to [Ru(bpy) 3 ] 2+ . The utility of the biohybrid photocatalyst was demonstrated via an increase in yields for a thiol-ene coupling reaction and a cysteinyl-desulfurization reaction, including recovered reactivity at red wavelengths where [Ru(bpy) 3 ] 2+ alone does not absorb.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Absorption of fermionic dark matter by nuclear targets

Absorption of fermionic dark matter leads to a range of distinct and novel signatures at dark matter direct detection and neutrino experiments. We study the possible signals from fermionic absorption by nuclear targets, which we divide into two classes of four Fermi operators: neutral and charged current. In the neutral current signal, dark matter is absorbed by a target nucleus and a neutrino is emitted. This results in a characteristically different nuclear recoil energy spectrum from that of elastic scattering. The charged current channel leads to induced $\beta$ decays in isotopes which are stable in vacuum as well as shifts of the kinematic endpoint of $ \beta$ spectra in unstable isotopes. To confirm the possibility of observing these signals in light of other constraints, we introduce UV completions of example higher dimensional operators that lead to fermionic absorption signals and study their phenomenology. Most prominently, dark matter which exhibits fermionic absorption signals is necessarily unstable leading to stringent bounds from indirect detection searches. Nevertheless, we find a large viable parameter space in which dark matter is sufficiently long lived and detectable in current and future experiments.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Dopants, Isotope, Pressure and Lead Sequestration for Hybrid Perovskite Materials

Dopants, Isotope, Pressure and Lead Sequestration for Hybrid Perovskite Materials The soaring power conversion efficiency (PCE) of solution process-based organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites solar cells (PSCs) assures their membership in the competitive photovoltaic technologies. However, stability, toxicity and scalability are the three grand challenges that still impedes the market adoption of PSCs. Careful fundamental studies on how their fascinating optoelectronic properties is related to their structures may provide leads to these challenges and also spin off new applications. In this talk, I will present our recent study on the dopants, isotope and pressure effects on hybrid perovskite materials (HPMs). We discovered an interesting bipolar electron injection in LiCl-doped MAPbI 3 -based UV detectors that respond to the energy of UV photons in distinguished photocurrents polarity. We also investigated how the underline interaction between the mass of the cationic rotors and the inorganic lattice in HPMs by isotope effect. In-situ synchrotron X-ray and time-resolved photoluminescence revealed abnormal optoelectronic properties of HPMs by modulating their bond angles and bond lengths using high pressure techniques. Moreover, I will also discuss our new technology to sequestrate lead leakage on perovskite solar cells that can absorb >99% leaked Pb ions under severe device damge while without sacrificing the PCE under normal operational conditions.

Xu, Tao↗