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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 1,045 records · Page 58
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Photocatalytic activity of electrospun MgO nanofibres: Synthesis, characterization and applications

Highlights: • MgO nanofibres with high photocatalytic activity were successfully fabricated. • Electrospinning method via PVA/magnesium precursor based system was used. • Dye degradation of MgO nanofibres was compared with spherical MgO nanoparticles. • MgO nanofibres exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity against Reactive Yellow. • MgO nanofibres show a great potential in efficient treatment of dye effluents. - Abstract: One dimensional MgO nanofibres with high photocatalytic activity were fabricated using the electrospinning method via a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/magnesium precursor based system and the dye degradation efficacy of MgO nanofibres was compared with MgO nanospheres. Optimum electrospinning parameters including suitable magnesium precursors were investigated and the formation of MgO nanofibres were confirmed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) mapping. Furthermore, the crystalline lattice structure and surface roughness of fabricated nanofibres were evaluated using transmission electron microscopic-electron diffraction mode (TEM-SAED) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Fabricated MgO nanofibres exhibited excellent photocatalytic degradation activity against widely used model reactive dye, Reactive Yellow (RY). In contrast to MgO nanospheres, electrospun MgO nanofibres completely degraded the reactive dye under UV irradiation. These photocatalytic MgO nanofibres show a great potential to be used in efficient treatment of industrial dye effluents.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

A novel investigation on carbon nanotube/ZnO, Ag/ZnO and Ag/carbon nanotube/ZnO nanowires junctions for harvesting piezoelectric potential on textile

In the present work, three junctions were fabricated on textile fabric as an alternative substrate for harvesting piezoelectric potential. First junction was formed on ordinary textile as (textile/multi-walled carbon nanotube film/zinc oxide nanowires (S1: T/CNTs/ZnO NWs)) and the other two were formed on conductive textile with the following layer sequence: conductive textile/zinc oxide nanowires (S2: CT/ZnO NWs) and conductive textile/multi-walled carbon nanotubes film/zinc oxide nanowires (S3: CT/CNTs/ZnO NWs). Piezoelectric potential was harvested by using atomic force microscopy in contact mode for the comparative analysis of the generated piezoelectric potential. ZnO NWs were synthesized by using the aqueous chemical growth method. Surface analysis of the grown nanostructures was performed by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The growth orientation and crystalline size were studied by using X-ray diffraction technique. This study reveals that textile as an alternative substrate have many features like cost effective, highly flexible, nontoxic, light weight, soft, recyclable, reproducible, portable, wearable, and washable for nanogenerators fabrication with acceptable performance and with a wide choice of modification for obtaining large amount of piezoelectric potential.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Epoxy composites based on inexpensive tire waste filler

Tire waste (TW) was recycled as raw material for the preparation of DGEBA-type epoxy composite materials. The effects of filler amount and epoxy type on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites with NPEL were generally higher than composites with NPEF. The appropriate mass level for TW in both type composites was found to be 20 wt%. The equilibrium water sorption of NPEL/TW and NPEF/TW composites for 14-day immersion was determined as 0.10 % and 0.21 %, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for characterization of the composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Heterostructures of Bi-4334 and MgB{sub 2} superconductors

We report the studies on hetero structures of Bi-4334 and MgB{sub 2} superconductors. The two superconductors were arranged in the form of bulk multilayers using hydraulic pressure system. X-ray diffraction pattern and dc magnetization studies confirm the presence of both superconducting phases in this try-layer hetero structured sample. The d.c magnetization shows the superconducting onset at 77 K and 39 K for Bi-4334 and MgB{sub 2} phases respectively. Critical current density (J{sub c}) is calculated from hysteresis loop of the sample in both in-plane field and out of plane field configurations. Inverted anisotropy in J{sub c} is observed due to enhancement of ab-plane properties because of multilayer growth process. Morphology of the samples at surface and interface of two superconducting layers is discussed in view of Field emission scanning electron microscopy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Silver photo-diffusion and photo-induced macroscopic surface deformation of Ge{sub 33}S{sub 67}/Ag/Si substrate

Ge-chalcogenide films show various photo-induced changes, and silver photo-diffusion is one of them which attracts lots of interest. In this paper, we report how silver and Ge-chalcogenide layers in Ge{sub 33}S{sub 67}/Ag/Si substrate stacks change under light exposure in the depth by measuring time-resolved neutron reflectivity. It was found from the measurement that Ag ions diffuse all over the matrix Ge{sub 33}S{sub 67} layer once Ag dissolves into the layer. We also found that the surface was macroscopically deformed by the extended light exposure. Its structural origin was investigated by a scanning electron microscopy.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Proton-Conducting Composites Based on the Cs{sub 4}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}) Compound

Proton-conducting composites xCs{sub 4}(HSO{sub 4}){sub 3}(H{sub 2}PO{sub 4}) + (1–x)AlPO{sub 4} in the composition range x = 0.9–0.5 have been obtained. Their transport properties are studied by impedance spectroscopy. The dependences of the phase composition of the materials on the component ratio are investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The spatial phase distribution in the materials is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2023

Vapor-phase grafting of functional silanes on atomic layer deposited Al 2 O 3

Fundamental studies are needed to advance our understanding of selective adsorption in aqueous environments and develop more effective sorbents and filters for water treatment. Vapor-phase grafting of functional silanes is an effective method to prepare well-defined surfaces to study selective adsorption. In this investigation, we perform vapor phase grafting of five different silane compounds on aluminum oxide (Al2O3) surfaces prepared by atomic layer deposition. These silane compounds have the general formula L3Si–C3H6–X where the ligand, L, controls the reactivity with the hydroxylated Al2O3 surface and the functional moiety, X, dictates the surface properties of the grafted layer. We study the grafting process using in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ex situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, and we characterize the surfaces using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle measurements. Here, we found that the structure and density of grafted aminosilanes are influenced by their chemical reactivity and steric constraints around the silicon atom as well as by the nature of the anchoring functional groups. Methyl substituted aminosilanes yielded more hydrophobic surfaces with a higher surface density at higher grafting temperatures. Thiol and nitrile terminated silanes were also studied and compared to the aminosilane terminated surfaces. Uniform monolayer coatings were observed for ethoxy-based silanes, but chlorosilanes exhibited nonuniform coatings as verified by atomic force microscopy measurements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Analysis of the Corrosion Behavior of an A-TIG Welded SS 409 Weld Fusion Zone

AISI 409 (SS 409) ferritic stainless steel is generally used as the thick gauge section in freight train wagons, in ocean containers, and in sugar refinery equipment. Activating the flux tungsten inert gas (A-TIG) welding process can reduce the welding cost during fabrication of thick sections. However, corrosion behavior of the A-TIG weld fusion zone is a prime concern for this type of steel. In the present work, the effect of the A-TIG welding process parameters on the corrosion behavior of a weld fusion zone made of 8-mm-thick AISI 409 ferritic stainless-steel plate has been analyzed. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were performed to evaluate the corrosion behavior. The maximum corrosion potential (E{sub corr}) was shown by the weld made using a welding current of 215 A, a welding speed of 95 mm/min, and a flux coating density of 0.81 mg/cm{sup 2}. The minimum E{sub corr} was observed in the weld made using a welding current of 190 A, a welding speed of 120 mm/min, and a flux coating density of 1.40 mg/cm{sup 2}. The current study also presents the inclusive microstructure–corrosion property relationships using the collective techniques of scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Tannin bark Melalauca cajuputi powell (gelam) as green corrosion inhibitor of mild steel

Tannin was extracted from gelam bark and used to produce corrosion inhibitor for mild steel. Tannin was extracted from gelam bark using 70% aqueous acetone for 6 hour. Tannin powder was characterization using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to analyse chemical component in tannin and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) for tannin physical structure. The tannin effect on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel has been investigated in 1Mol HCl solution for 6 hour followed ASTM. The weight loss method were applied to study the mild steel corrosion behavior in the present and absend of different concentration of tannin (250, 300, 350)ppm. Tannin act good inhibitor as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in acid medium. Surface morphology of carbon steel with and without inhibitor was investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

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

Catalyst-free growth of ZnO nanowires on ITO seed/glass by thermal evaporation method: Effects of ITO seed layer thickness

A seed/catalyst-free growth of ZnO nanowires (ZnO-NWs) on a glass substrate were successfully fabricated using thermal evaporation technique. These nanowires were grown on ITO seed layers of different thicknesses of 25 and 75 nm, which were deposited on glass substrates by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. Prior to synthesized ITO nanowires, the sputtered ITO seeds were annealed using the continuous wave (CW) CO2 laser at 450 °C in air for 15 min. The effect of seed layer thickness on the morphological, structural, and optical properties of ZnO-NWs were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV-Vis spectrophotometer.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Template confined synthesis of amorphous carbon nanotubes and its confocal Raman microscopy

Amorphous carbon nanotubes (aCNTs) were synthesized by AAO (anodic aluminum oxide) template at a temperature 500 °C in nitrogen atmosphere using the citric acid as a carbon source without the help of any catalyst particles. Morphological analysis of the as prepared samples was carried out by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Confocal Raman imaging has been studied and an attempt has been made to find out the graphitic (sp{sup 2}) and disordered phase of the CNTs.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Pulse electrodeposited nickel using sulphamate electrolyte for hardness and corrosion resistance

Highlights: • Nickel deposits from sulphamate solutions using pulse method are prepared. • Effect of duty cycle and frequency are studied. • XRD, SEM and AFM of the nickel deposits are characterized. • Corrosion characteristics of the nickel deposit are reported. - Abstract: Nickel deposits have been obtained on mild steel substrate by pulse current (PC) electrodeposition method using nickel sulphamate electrolyte. Micro hardness values increased with decreasing duty cycle and pulse frequency. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that (2 0 0) plane was predominant and the nickel deposit obtained at low duty cycle and low frequency has the smallest grain size. The surface morphology of the coatings was explored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy. These studies showed that the microstructure of the nickel coatings changed from pyramidal structure to homogeneous structure with increasing duty cycle and pulse frequencies. The corrosion resistance of coatings was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance studies in 3.5 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. An enhancement of the corrosion resistance, charge-transfer resistance and wear resistance has been obtained at low duty cycle and low frequencies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Preparation and characterization of magnetic CsH{sub 2}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}/Fe–SiO{sub 2} nanocatalysts for biodiesel production

Graphical abstract: In this study, a series of magnetic CsH{sub 2}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}/Fe–SiO{sub 2} nanocatalysts were prepared and tested for biodiesel production. The best operational conditions were CH3OH/oil = 12/1 at 60 °C with mechanical stirring, the biodiesel yield reaches to 81% in 4 h. Also notably, recovery of the catalyst can be achieved easily with the help of an external magnet with no need for expensive ultracentrifugation. - Highlights: • Effects of preparation conditions for biodiesel production were studied. • The CsH{sub 2}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}/Fe–SiO{sub 2} catalyst is efficient catalyst for biodiesel production. • The reaction conditions were found methanol/oil = 12/1, T = 60 °C. - Abstract: The magnetic CsH{sub 2}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}/Fe–SiO{sub 2} nanocatalysts were prepared via combination of sol–gel and impregnation methods. The effects of different H{sub 3}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}/(Fe–SiO{sub 2}) weight percentage, loading of Cs as a promotor and calcination conditions on the catalytic performance has been studied. It was found that the catalyst with H{sub 3}PW{sub 12}O{sub 40}/Fe–SiO{sub 2} = 4 wt.% and Cs = 2 wt.% is an optimal catalyst for biodiesel production. The activity of optimal catalyst was studied in different operational conditions. The best operational conditions were CH{sub 3}OH/oil = 12/1 at 60 °C with mechanical stirring rate of 500 rpm and the biodiesel yield reaches to 81% in 4 h. Characterization of catalysts was carried out by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), N{sub 2} adsorption–desorption measurements methods, Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Controlled synthesis of single-crystalline graphene

This paper reports the controlled synthesis of single-crystalline graphene on the back side of copper foil using CH{sub 4} as the precursor. The influence of growth time and the pressure ratio of CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2} on the structure of graphene are examined. An optimized polymer-assisted method is used to transfer the synthesized graphene onto a SiO{sub 2}/Si substrate. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy are used to characterize the graphene.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Biodegradation test of SPS-LS blends as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Sulfonated polystyrene (SPS) can be applied as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell due to its fairly good chemical stability. In order to be applied as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), membrane polymer should have a good ionic conductivity, high proton conductivity, and high mechanical strength. Lignosulfonate (LS) is a complex biopolymer which has crosslinks and sulfonate groups. SPS-LS blends with addition of SiO{sub 2} are used to increase the proton conductivity and to improve the mechanical properties and thermal stability. However, the biodegradation test of SPS-LS blends is required to determine whether the application of these membranes to be applied as an environmentally friendly membrane. In this study, had been done the synthesis of SPS, biodegradability test of SPS-LS blends with variations of LS and SiO{sub 2} compositions. The biodegradation test was carried out in solid medium of Luria Bertani (LB) with an activated sludge used as a source of microorganism at incubation temperature of 37°C. Based on the results obtained indicated that SPS-LS-SiO{sub 2} blends are more decomposed by microorganism than SPS-LS blends. This result is supported by analysis of weight reduction percentage, functional groups with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and morphological surface with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Template Synthesis of Iron Microstructures Based on Track Membranes

Iron nanowires (NWs) were obtained by template synthesis using polymer track membranes in the framework of development of a general method for the synthesis of regular metal nanostructures. The surface topography of NWs was studied by scanning electron microscopy, and the local state of iron atoms was determined by Mössbauer spectrometry.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Studies on the performance of TiO{sub 2} thin films as protective layer to chlorophyll in Ocimum tenuiflorum L from UV radiation

Thin films of TiO{sub 2} were prepared on glass substrates using sol-gel dip coating technique. The films with 10 coatings were prepared and annealed at temperatures 350°C, 450°C and 550°C for 1 hour in muffle furnace. The annealed films were characterized by X – Ray diffraction (XRD), UV – Visible, AFM, Field Effect Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and EDAX studies. Chlorophyll has many health benefits due to its structural similarity to human blood and its good chelating ability. It has antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. UV light impairs photosynthesis and reduces size, productivity, and quality in many of the crop plant species. Increased exposure of UV light reduces chlorophyll contents a, b and total content in plants. Titanium Dioxide (TiO{sub 2}) is a wide band gap semiconductor and efficient light harvester. TiO{sub 2} has strong UltraViolet (UV) light absorbing capability. Here, we have studied the performance of TiO{sub 2} thin films as a protective layer to the chlorophyll contents present in medicinal plant, tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum L) from UV radiation. The study reveals that crystallite size increases, transmittance decreases and chlorophyll contents increases with increase in annealing temperature. This study showed that TiO{sub 2} thin films are good absorber of UV light and protect the chlorophyll contents a, b and total content in medicinal plants.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis and characterization in AuCu–Si nanostructures

Au/Cu bilayers with different Au:Cu concentrations (25:75, 50:50 and 75:25 at.%) were deposited on Si(100) substrates by thermal evaporation. The thicknesses of all Au/Cu bilayers were 150 nm. The alloys were prepared by thermal diffusion into a vacuum oven with argon atmosphere at 690 K during 1 h. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed different phases of AuCu and CuSi alloys in the samples after annealing process. CuSi alloys were mainly obtained for 25:75 at.% samples, meanwhile the AuCuII phase dominates for samples prepared with 50:50 at.%. Additionally, the Au:Cu alloys with 75:25 at.%, produce Au{sub 2}Cu{sub 3} and Au{sub 3}Cu phases. The formed alloys were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to study the morphology and the elemental concentration of the formed alloys. - Highlights: • AuCu/Si alloy thin films were prepared by thermal diffusion. • Alloys prepared with 50 at.% of Au produce the AuCuII phase. • Alloys prepared with 75 at.% of Au produce Au{sub 3}Cu and Au{sub 2}Cu{sub 3} phases. • All alloys present diffusion of Si and Cu through the CuSi alloy formation.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗