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At least 109 records · Page 6

A multiscale model to understand the interface chemistry, contacts, and dynamics during lithium stripping

A reversible Li-metal electrode, paired with a solid electrolyte, is critical for attaining higher energy density and safer batteries beyond the current lithium-ion cells. A stable stripping process may be even harder to attain as the stripping process will remove Li-atoms from the surface, and naturally reduce surface contact area, if not self-corrected by other mechanisms, such as diffusion and plastic deformation under an applied external stack pressure. Here, we capture these mechanisms occurring at multiple length- and time- scales, i.e., interface interactions, vacancy hopping, and plastic deformation, by integrating density functional theory (DFT) simulations, kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC), and continuum finite element method (FEM). By assuming the self-affine nature of multiscale contacts, we predict the steady-state contact area as a function of stripping current density, interface wettability, and stack pressure. We further estimate the exponential increase of overpotential due to contact area loss to maintain the same stripping current density. We demonstrate that a lithiophilic interface requires less stack pressure to reach the same steady-state contact area fraction than a lithiophobic interface. A “tolerable steady-state” contact area loss for maintaining stable stripping is estimated at 20 %, corresponding to a 10 % increase in overpotential. To constrain contact loss within the tolerance, the required stack pressure is 0.1, 0.5, and 2 times the yield strength of lithium metal for three distinct interfaces, lithiophilic Li/lithium oxide(Li2O), Li/lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide(LLZO), and lithiophoblic Li/lithium fluoride(LiF), respectively. The modeling results agree with experiments on the impact of the stack pressure quantitatively, while the discrepancy in stripping rate sensitivity is attributed to the simplifying interface interaction in our simulations. Overall, this multiscale simulation framework demonstrates the importance of electrochemical-mechanical coupling in understanding the dynamics of the Li/SE interface during stripping.

Feng, Min↗

Asymmetric Rowland circle geometries for spherically bent crystal analyzers in laboratory and synchrotron applications

Spherically bent crystal analyzers (SBCAs) are the dominant high-resolution hard X-ray optic in the ongoing rebirth of laboratory-based X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) as well as in synchrotron methods such as high energy resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD) and non-resonant X-ray Raman scattering (XRS). In the overwhelming majority of cases, SBCAs are implemented in a ‘symmetric’ configuration on the Rowland circle, wherein the diffracting crystal plane is nominally coincident with the analyzer surface. We report here comprehensive investigations of ‘asymmetric’ operation of SBCA on the Rowland circle, wherein the diffracting crystal plane is not coincident with the optical surface of the analyzer. First, we have developed a laboratory spectrometer for XAFS and XES that is specialized for asymmetric SBCA operation. Here we find several benefits, including the capacity to use a single SBCA over a very wide energy range via ‘hkl hopping’ and the frequent ability to eliminate Johann error, the most prevalent energy-broadening mechanism when using SBCA symmetrically on the Rowland circle. Second, we expand these ideas to synchrotron facilities with a demonstration study of HERFD and XRS where asymmetric operation also provided advantage. Our results suggest that large-array systems for HERFD augmented with an additional mechanical degree of freedom could streamline user operation and also indicate benefits to XRS in the asymmetric configuration, where larger solid angle, larger sample-to-detector distance, and decreased Johann error can be achieved simultaneously.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Bulk transport paths through defects in floating zone and Al flux grown SmB 6

We investigate the roles of disorder on low-temperature transport in SmB 6 crystals grown by both the Al flux and floating zone methods. We used the inverted resistance method with Corbino geometry to investigate whether low-temperature variations in the standard resistance plateau arise from a surface or a bulk channel in floating zone samples. The results show significant sample-dependent residual bulk conduction, in contrast to smaller amounts of residual bulk conduction previously observed in Al flux grown samples with Sm vacancies. In this work, we consider hopping in an activated impurity band as a possible source for the observed bulk conduction, but it is unlikely that the large residual bulk conduction seen in floating zone samples is solely due to Sm vacancies. We therefore propose that one-dimensional defects, or dislocations, contribute as well. Using chemical etching, we find evidence for dislocations in both flux and floating zone samples, with higher dislocation density in floating zone samples than in Al flux grown samples. In addition to the possibility of transport through one-dimensional dislocations, we also discuss our results in the context of recent theoretical models of SmB 6 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Stability and mobility of tungsten clusters on tungsten (110) surface: Ab initio and atomistic simulations

Quantifying the surface transport properties of tungsten (W) is of prime importance to understand the formation of nano-fuzz in fusion plasma-facing conditions. The stability and mobility of W adatom clusters (W n , n = 2-9) on the W(110) surface has been investigated by computer simulations, including ab initio calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular statics (MS) simulations with multiple W interatomic potentials. The DFT results demonstrate that the sequential binding energy generally increases with number of W adatoms, except for the 5 th and 7 th W adatoms. The most common elemental migration steps of W n (n>2) clusters are observed to consist of monomer and dimer hops, while larger W n clusters can also diffuse by dissociation and recombination of smaller clusters. The threshold migration energy of W 9 is the highest, then followed by W 8 , W 4 , and W 6 , while W 3 , W 5 , and W 7 have similar migration energies. Compared to DFT, each interatomic potential evaluated overestimates the binding energies of W n clusters. Additionally, the embedded-atom potential developed by Juslin and Wirth adequately predicts the threshold migration energy of W n (n>2) clusters, although it predicts different underlying migration mechanisms. The results show that interaction mechanism between W adatoms controls the stability and mobility of W n clusters on the W(110) surface.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electronic structure, dimer physics, orbital-selective behavior, and magnetic tendencies in the bilayer nickelate superconductor $\mathrm{La_3Ni_2O_7}$under pressure

Motivated by the recently reported high-temperature superconductivity in the bilayer La 3 Ni 2 O 7 (LNO) under pressure, we comprehensively study this system using ab initio techniques. The Ni 3d orbitals have a large bandwidth at ambient pressure, increasing by ~22% at 29.5 GPa. Without electronic interactions, the Ni d 3z 2 -r 2 orbitals form a bonding-antibonding molecular orbital state via the O p z inducing a “dimer” lattice in the LNO bilayers. The Fermi surface consists of two-electron sheets with mixed e g orbitals and a hole pocket defined by the d 3z 2 -r 2 orbital, suggesting a Ni two-orbital minimum model. Different from the infinite-layer nickelate, we obtained a large interorbital hopping between d 3z 2 -r 2 and d x 2 -y 2 states in LNO, caused by the ligand “bridge” of in-plane O p x or p y orbitals connecting those two orbitals, inducing d-p σ-bonding characteristics. The competition between the intraorbital and interorbital hoppings leads to an interesting dominant spin stripe (π,0) order because of bond ferromagnetic tendencies via the recently discussed “half-empty” mechanism.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Using Atom Dynamics to Map the Defect Structure Around an Impurity in Nano-Hematite

The geochemical cycling of actinides such as U is strongly controlled by Fe (oxyhydr)oxides. Indeed, the strong affinity of these minerals for U has factored into the design of geologic repositories for the long-term storage of nuclear waste. Many decades of work have focused on detailing the local coordination environment U associated with hematite (a-Fe2O3), a common and stable Fe(III) oxide, in order to better predict the fate and transport of U in the sub-surface. Here, for the first time, molecular dynamic simulations and atomically resolved electron microscopy of uranium atom mobility under the beam were used to map the topology of defect clusters surrounding structurally incorporated U in hematite. The ability to observe vacancies by means of metal atom hopping can be used to directly probe defects in other materials, with promising applications in geochemistry and materials science.

Ilton, Eugene S.↗

Unveiling the Structure and Dynamics of Water Confined in Colloidal Boehmite Suspensions

Thin fluid layers confined between nanoparticles play an important role in several natural and industrial systems, including radioactive wastes stored in tanks at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford site. Multimodal neutron and computational approaches have been integrated to examine the properties of one, two, and four layers of water (H 2 O or D 2 O) on nanoparticulate, hydrous, or deuterated boehmite (γ-AlOOH or γ-AlOOD). Exposure of deuterated boehmite to H 2 O at 90 °C yielded rapid H/D isotopic exchange likely driven by a Grotthus-like proton-hopping mechanism. The in-plane and out-of-plane vibrations of the structural hydroxyls involved in this exchange were observed for both the hydrated and deuterated boehmite. These observations were confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations that also showed that single water molecules on the (010) surface bond to the structure via four bonds: two from hydrogens (deuteriums) on the water to surrounding oxygens and two from the water’s oxygen to surrounding OD/OH. Bulk water-like properties began to appear once four monolayers of water had been added, but steric crowding limited water diffusion rates once two monolayers had been added. The super-Arrhenius temperature dependence observed at four monolayers indicated glass-like behavior in a well-formed hydrogen-bonding network. Such a network is not sufficiently developed, however, when the surface water coverage is less than four layers. In conclusion, the unique nature of these layers can provide critical information for understanding forces between particles in proximity, and resultant effects on suspension rheology.

Anovitz, Lawrence M. [Oak Ridge National Laborator↗

Layers Can Be Deceiving: A Hopping Model for Small Molecule Diffusion in TATB Crystal

Sorption of small molecule gases in materials can play a significant role in their long‐term stability and compatibility within multi‐material assemblies. While many material properties of the insensitive high explosive TATB (1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene) are well understood, very little is known regarding its permeability to gases. TATB crystal exhibits a graphitic‐like layered packing structure that evokes a mental schema in which the layers form nanoscopic channels, but it is unclear whether this structure promotes gas transport. Here, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict transport of small molecules through TATB single crystal. An approach to fit classical force fields is developed to model TATB interactions with H 2 O, He, Ne, and Ar, which is then combined with steered MD to probe gas transport along selected directions in the crystal. We find that small molecule transport occurs via a hopping mechanism that exhibits distinct jumps between interstitial sites and is substantially faster normal to the layers as compared to through them. This result stems from the finding that intralayer junctions between adjacent TATB molecules are the most stable interstitial sites and that energetic barriers are lower for hopping between adjacent layers. An empirical model for diffusion rate based on the MD data shows that the rate decays exponentially with increasing molecular radius and is negligibly small for all molecules larger than He, including common atmospheric gases. These findings have implications for the interpretation of experiments that measure surface area, material response to extreme conditions, and are expected to help constrain models for material aging.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Single-Molecule Tracking Measurements Reveal the Detailed Mechanisms of Molecular Diffusion in Solvent Mixtures under Nanoconfinement

Understanding mass transport mechanisms in nanopores is important for developing advanced materials for chemical separations, chemical sensing, and energy storage. This paper reports a novel imaging platform that is employed for the first time to investigate the detailed diffusion dynamics of single rhodamine B (RhB) dye molecules confined within solution-filled cylindrical anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) nanopores. The imaging platform relies on illumination of horizontally-oriented AAO nanopores in a highly inclined and laminated optical (HILO) light sheet microscopy geometry. The method was used to investigate the translational and orientational dynamics of single rhodamine B (RhB) molecules within horizontally-oriented 5- and 10-nm diameter AAO nanopores filled with water–ethanol mixtures. The established platform enabled the observation of one-dimensional motion along the pore axis involving occasional short- or long-term immobilization at the single-molecule level. Analysis of cumulative squared-displacement distributions revealed fast (5 – 30 µm²/s), intermediate (1 – 5 µm²/s), and slow (< 1 µm²/s) diffusion components. From the effects of mixture composition and pore size on the contributions of these three components, we inferred that the fast, intermediate, and slow components could be assigned to desorption-mediated hopping, crawling, and wiggling motions, respectively. The platform based on the horizontally-oriented AAO nanopores also permitted single-molecule emission polarization measurements that revealed the negligible steric confinement of individual diffusing RhB molecules within the AAO nanopores. The imaging platform based on AAO membranes and HILO microscopy provided a unique means to investigate how solvation-mediated surface interactions and nanoconfinement govern molecular transport in nanoporous environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Superconductivity in the bilayer Hubbard model: Two Fermi surfaces are better than one

Fully occupied or unoccupied bands in a solid are often considered inert and irrelevant to a material's low-energy properties. But the discovery of enhanced superconductivity in heavily electron-doped FeSe-derived superconductors poses questions about the possible role of incipient bands (those laying close to but not crossing the Fermi level) in pairing. To answer this question, researchers have studied pairing correlations in the bilayer Hubbard model, which has an incipient band for large interlayer hopping t⊥, using many-body perturbation theory and variational methods. They have generally found that superconductivity is enhanced as one of the bands approaches the Lifshitz transition and even when it becomes incipient. Here we address this question using the nonperturbative quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) dynamical cluster approximation (DCA) to study the bilayer Hubbard model's pairing correlations. We find that the model has robust s± pairing correlations in the large t⊥ limit, which can become stronger as one band is made incipient. While this behavior is linked to changes in the effective interaction, we further find that it is counteracted by a suppression of the intrinsic pair-field susceptibility and does not translate to an increased Tc. Our results demonstrate that the highest achievable transition temperatures in the bilayer Hubbard model occur when the system has two bands crossing the Fermi level.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Interpreting angle-dependent magnetoresistance in layered materials: Application to cuprates

The evolution of the low-temperature electronic structure of the cuprate metals from the overdoped to the underdoped side has recently been addressed through angle-dependant magnetoresistance (ADMR) experiments in La 1.6-x Nd 0.4 Sr x CuO 4 . Here the results show a striking difference between hole dopings p = 0.24 and p = 0.21, which lie on either side of a putative quantum critical point at intermediate p. Motivated by this, we here study the theory of ADMR in correlated layered materials, paying special attention to the role of angle-dependent quasiparticle weights Z k . Such a Z k is expected to characterize a number of popular models of the cuprate materials, particularly when underdoped. Further, in the limit of weak interlayer hopping the quasiparticle weight will affect the c-axis transport measured in ADMR experiments. We show that proper inclusion of the quasiparticle weight does not support an interpretation of the data in terms of a (π,π) spin density wave ordered state, in agreement with the lack of direct evidence for such order. We show that a simple model of Fermi surface reconfiguring across a van Hove point captures many of the striking differences seen between p = 0.21 and p = 0.24. We comment on why such a model may be appropriate for interpreting the ADMR data, despite having a large Fermi surface at p = 0.21, seemingly in contradiction with other evidence for a small Fermi surface at that doping level.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Two-step spin-coating of vacancy-ordered double perovskites enables growth of thin films for electronic devices

Vacancy-ordered double perovskites (VODPs), such as Cs 2 TeX 6 (X = Cl, Br, I), are lead-free alternatives to conventional metal-halide perovskites (MHPs). One limitation of VODPs is the lack of processes to form thin films relevant for physical characterization and electronic devices. A two-step spin-coating method was developed for synthesizing high-quality films of Cs 2 TeBr 6 . Independently depositing CsBr and TeBr 4 enables high precursor concentrations and control over crystallization kinetics. By optimizing the spin-coating parameters, conversion of precursors to phase pure films was observed using structural and surface characterization methods. The growth of mixed-halide systems was investigated using alternative salts including CsCl and CsI. The formation of halide alloys was found to depend on the existence of routes to byproducts. Lastly, single carrier diodes of Cs2TeBr6 were designed following valence band characterization with photoelectron spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent space-charge-limited current measurements revealed that transport occurs by hopping and the hole mobility is 3.2 × 10 −5 cm 2 V −1 s −1 near room temperature. As a result, the insights from the 2-step procedure provide a pathway towards making semiconducting devices from VODPs.

Kuklinski, Owen [University of California, Santa B↗

Coupled Hubbard ladders at weak coupling: Pairing and spin excitations

The Hubbard model provides a simple framework in which one can study how certain aspects of the electronic structure of strongly interacting systems can be tuned to optimize the superconducting pairing correlations and how these changes affect the mechanisms giving rise to them. Here we use a weak-coupling random phase approximation to study a two-dimensional Hubbard model with a unidirectional modulation of the hopping amplitudes as the system evolves from the uniform square lattice to an array of weakly coupled two-leg ladders. We find that the pairing correlations retain their dominant d x 2 - y 2- wavelike structure and that they are significantly enhanced for a slightly modulated lattice. This enhancement is traced backed to an increase in the strength of the spin-fluctuation pairing interaction due to favorable Fermi surface nesting in the modulated system. We then use a random-phase approximation BCS framework to examine the evolution of the neutron resonance in the superconducting state. We find that it changes only weakly for moderate modulations, but breaks up into two distinct resonances at incommensurate wave vectors in the limit of weakly coupled ladders.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Engineering Robust Metallic Zero-Mode States in Olympicene Graphene Nanoribbons

Metallic graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) represent a critical component in the toolbox of low-dimensional functional materials technology serving as 1D interconnects capable of both electronic and quantum information transport. The structural constraints imposed by on-surface bottom-up GNR synthesis protocols along with the limited control over orientation and sequence of asymmetric monomer building blocks during the radical step-growth polymerization have plagued the design and assembly of metallic GNRs. Here, we report the regioregular synthesis of GNRs hosting robust metallic states by embedding a symmetric zero-mode (ZM) superlattice along the backbone of a GNR. Tight-binding electronic structure models predict a strong nearest-neighbor electron hopping interaction between adjacent ZM states, resulting in a dispersive metallic band. First-principles density functional theory-local density approximation calculations confirm this prediction, and the robust, metallic ZM band of olympicene GNRs is experimentally corroborated by scanning tunneling spectroscopy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Decoding Antenna Behavior in Metal—Organic Frameworks

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) define a solid-state platform for developing artificial photosystems. Efficient anisotropic exciton migrations in these frameworks entail “antenna behavior” that can power up the distal interior reaction centers (RC), driving charge separation between donor-acceptor pairs. Reminiscent of the natural light-harvesting complex, such processes can achieve high quantum yield by exploiting the vast interior surface of the porous crystallites. It is important to understand the optimum positioning of the RC site relative to the anisotropic exciton migration path within these frameworks. The efficiency of such antenna behavior is probed here through Stern–Volmer (SV) type analysis with a series of node-anchored redox quenchers, ferrocene-carboxylate, ferrocene acetate, and dinitrobenzoate. Decoding various intrinsic processes, this work constructs a revised SV formalism in solid assembly that hosts ultrafast anisotropic exciton migration to account for the intrinsic exciton hopping rate from the extrinsic electron transfer rate, and the dimension of effective quenching. In conclusion, this transformative understanding can be applied to other relevant solid-state assemblies.

Saha, Bapan [Southern Illinois University, Carbond↗

Title Coherent X-ray Studies of Surface Growth and Patterning Processes

X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) is being developed as a tool to study nanoscale dynamics of fluctuations during thin film growth and surface patterning. XPCS examines the evolution of the X-ray scattering speckle pattern in reciprocal space to reveal dynamics information not accessible through any other means. Unlike low-coherence conventional X-ray scattering, which incoherently averages over different regions of a sample, coherent X-ray scattering is sensitive to the detailed structure of a given sample at that moment in time. In thin film growth processes, heterodyning, which occurs due to coherent mixing of two scattered signals, can be used to investigate the relationship between surface growth velocity and defect propagation. And, for polycrystalline thin film growth, the spatial coherence of the X-ray beam can substitute for the missing spatial coherence of the growth process to track layered growth in detail, even in a growth regime in which there are no conventional growth oscillations of the X-ray intensity. This has opened the door for detailed dynamics studies of individual atomic layers during real-world growth and patterning, not just in perfect single-crystal growth cases, which greatly expands the applicability of in-situ X-ray scattering methods. Step-flow dynamics in mounded polycrystalline growth has been studied separately for two thin film organic semiconductors deposited by thermal deposition in a vacuum environment, C60 and diindenoperylene (DIP). Highly oriented polycrystalline thin films are readily obtained in both systems, where mounds are composed of crystalline monolayer-height steps and terraces in a so-called wedding cake morphology. The formation of mounds is understood to be due to significant Ehrlich-Schwoebel step edge barriers that inhibit molecules from hopping down from one layer to the one below. The mounds exhibit local step flow, which can be monitored using coherent X-ray scattering. This is made possible due to heterodyning between scattering from the average mounds and the moving steps, which becomes visible in XPCS analysis. The effect of desorption, i.e. re-evaporation of deposited molecules is found to be important for understanding these processes. The impact of this work is to enable testing of models of step dynamics, the shape of mounds, and merging of mounds to form continuous thin films. Highly ordered polycrystalline thin films deposited on inexpensive substrates have applications in thin film solar cells and other organic electronic devices. In a separate set of experiments, speckle analysis during self-organized ion beam nanopatterning reveals memory stretching back to the beginning of patterning in the early stages and enables measurement of the velocity of self-organized patterns across surfaces providing the possibility of stringent new tests of the theory of pattern formation and motion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of Hydrophilicity-Imparting Substituents on Exciton Delocalization in Squaraine Dye Aggregates Covalently Templated to DNA Holliday Junctions

Molecular aggregates exhibit emergent properties, including the collective sharing of electronic excitation energy known as exciton delocalization, that can be leveraged in applications such as quantum computing, optical information processing, and light harvesting. In a previous study, we found unexpectedly large excitonic interactions (quantified by the excitonic hopping parameter J m,n ) in DNA-templated aggregates of squaraine (SQ) dyes with hydrophilic-imparting sulfo and butylsulfo substituents. Here, we characterize DNA Holliday junction (DNA-HJ) templated aggregates of an expanded set of SQs and evaluate their optical properties in the context of structural heterogeneity. Specifically, we characterized the orientation of and J m,n between dyes in dimer aggregates of non-chlorinated and chlorinated SQs. Here, three new chlorinated SQs that feature a varying number of butylsulfo substituents were synthesized and attached to a DNA-HJ via a covalent linker to form adjacent and transverse dimers. Various characteristics of the dye, including its hydrophilicity (in terms of log P o/w ) and surface area, and of the substituents, including their local bulkiness and electron withdrawing capacity, were quantified computationally.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Ion-Electron Coupling-Driven Redox Behavior in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Redox-active metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have long been proposed as electronic transport platforms, yet the microscopic origin of their conductivity remains debated. A theoretical demonstration reveals charge transport in a Zn(pyrazole–naphthalene diimide (NDI)) MOF arising not from delocalized band-like states but from redox hopping between discrete linker sites. Using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations combined with electronic structure analysis, we established a direct link among electron injection, structural reorganization, and transport. Electron accumulation proceeds sequentially and site-selectively from imide and carbonyl groups of the NDI core progressively involving pyrazole N atoms at higher reduction states, through a hierarchy of redox-active sites. In contrast, Zn nodes remain essentially redox-inactive, which confirms their structural role. Density-of-states analysis corroborates a transport regime dominated by linker-centered states with evolving p-character upon reduction, resulting in dynamically reconfigured conduction networks. Real-time trajectories reveal anisotropic linker-to-linker electron transfer modulated by counterion coordination. This cooperative ion–electron regime emerges from potential energy surface collapse into a single low-barrier transition (ΔG ‡ ≈ 45 meV), where ionic and electronic motions evolve adiabatically on the same free-energy landscape. Elucidating redox conductivity in Zn(pyrazole–NDI) MOFs provides a theoretical framework for use in neuromorphic computing and related technologies.

Charge transfer↗