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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 1,099 records · Page 61
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

First-principles study of surface properties of uranium silicides

We report that uranium silicides are currently under investigation as accident tolerant fuels for light water reactors because of its high uranium density and high thermal conductivity. Surface energy as an important material property is required for modeling of gas bubble behavior in nuclear fuels using mesoscale approaches, such as phase field and rate theory methods. However, there is no such information available for uranium silicides from either experiment or theory. To this end, we study the surface properties of two uranium silicide compounds U 3 Si 2 and U 3 Si using first-principles calculations. Of the low-index facets of tetragonal U 3 Si 2 and U 3 Si, we study a total of 13 surfaces up to a maximum Miller index of 3. From the calculated surface energies, the equilibrium single crystal shapes of U 3 Si 2 and U 3 Si are obtained using Wulff construction. The dominant surface orientation, surface area weighted surface energy and surface anisotropy are predicted. Finally, the obtained surface properties of U 3 Si 2 and U 3 Si can be used for an accurate description of the morphology of fission gas bubbles in uranium silicide fuels in the future.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Effect of pressure on elastic, mechanical and electronic properties of WSe{sub 2}: A first-principles study

Highlights: • B, E and v increase as pressure increases, except for a sudden decrease at 40 GPa. • WSe{sub 2} under pressure has larger shear modulus and higher hardness than WSe{sub 2} at 0 GPa. • WSe{sub 2} has an isostructural semiconductor-semimetal phase transition at 40 GPa. • The covalent bonding between Se and W atoms in the slabs is enhanced under pressure. • The distance of the stacked Se–W–Se slabs is decreased with the increasing pressure. - Abstract: Effect of pressure on elastic, mechanical and electronic properties of WSe{sub 2} has been investigated using the first-principles calculations. The calculated lattice parameters, band structure and elastic constants of WSe{sub 2} at 0 GPa are in good agreement with the available experimental and calculational values. With the increasing pressure, the lattice parameters and volume of WSe{sub 2} decrease whereas the total enthalpy increases. The bulk modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of WSe{sub 2} increase with the increasing pressure, except for a sharp decrease at the pressure of 40 GPa. WSe{sub 2} under pressure has larger shear modulus and higher hardness than WSe{sub 2} at 0 GPa. With the increase of pressure, the covalent bonding between Se and W atoms in the slabs is enhanced whereas the distance of the stacked slabs is decreased. Additionally, an isostructural semiconductor-semimetal phase transition of WSe{sub 2} is found to take place at 40 GPa, which is consistent with the experimental observations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Discrepancy between experimental and theoretical β-decay rates resolved from first principles

The dominant decay mode of atomic nuclei is beta decay (β-decay), a process that changes a neutron into a proton (and vice versa). This decay offers a window to physics beyond the standard model, and is at the heart of microphysical processes in stellar explosions and element synthesis in the Universe1,2,3. However, observed β-decay rates in nuclei have been found to be systematically smaller than for free neutrons: this 50-year-old puzzle about the apparent quenching of the fundamental coupling constant by a factor of about 0.75 (ref. 4) is without a first-principles theoretical explanation. Here, we demonstrate that this quenching arises to a large extent from the coupling of the weak force to two nucleons as well as from strong correlations in the nucleus. We present state-of-the-art computations of β-decays from light- and medium-mass nuclei to 100Sn by combining effective field theories of the strong and weak forces5 with powerful quantum many-body techniques6,7,8. Our results are consistent with experimental data and have implications for heavy element synthesis in neutron star mergers9,10,11 and predictions for the neutrino-less double-β-decay3, where an analogous quenching puzzle is a source of uncertainty in extracting the neutrino mass scale12.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Insight into the optoelectronic properties of designed solar cells efficient tetrahydroquinoline dye-sensitizers on TiO 2 (101) surface: first principles approach

Seven ‘lead’ dye-sensitizers from Tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) family were proposed and designed based on the structural attributes via quantitative-structure property relationship (QSPR) modeling. They were screened rationally through different computational approaches to explore their potential applications as photosensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compelling photophysical properties such as electron injection driving force, electron injection time, and dye regeneration were studied for the isolated dyes under the DFT and TD-DFT frameworks. Index of spatial extent (S, D, and Δq), the strength of charge transfer and separation along with the charge transfer process is explored. First principle approach including van der Waals density functional calculation of dye@TiO 2 interface indicates that all of the designed dyes have optimal interfacial behavior. Bader charge analysis, partial density of state (PDOS), charge density and electrostatic potential difference calculation confirms that THQ7 and THQ9 are the most efficient dye-sensitizers. The other five designed dyes also possess the required properties to emerge as effective dye-sensitizers potentially better than those already utilized.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Communication—First-Principles Simulations of LiPF 6 Decomposition in Ethylene Carbonate-Based Electrolytes

We revisit a theoretical result by Okamoto (2013 Journal of The Electrochemical Society , 160 , A404) who calculated the energy barrier for the decomposition of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6 ) into LiF + PF 5 when solvated in Ethylene carbonate (EC)-based electrolyte. Using different numerical techniques to discretize the Density Functional Theory (DFT) equations, and different continuum solvation models with the same dielectric constant, our results largely confirm the original calculation. However, simulations with a higher dielectric permittivity value, closer to that of EC, show a lower energy barrier. More importantly, First-Principles simulations with an explicit solvent show a substantially lower energy barrier.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Ground-State and Thermodynamical Properties of Uranium Mononitride from Anharmonic First-Principles Theory

We report on an advanced density-functional theory (DFT) approach for investigating the ground-state and thermodynamical properties of uranium mononitride (UN). The electronic structure for UN at zero temperature is obtained from DFT that utilizes the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) for the electron exchange and correlation functional and includes spin-orbit interaction and an extension with orbital polarization. Thermodynamical properties are computed within the quasi-harmonic approximation in the Debye–Grüneisen model while anharmonicity is captured in the self-consistent ab initio lattice dynamics (SCAILD) scheme. Anharmonic phonons have heretofore never been modeled from first-principles for UN but they turn out to be important. The computed free energy compares well with that of a CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) assessment of available experimental data.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

First-Principles Simulations of CuCl in High-Temperature Water Vapor

Experimental data suggest that the solubility of copper in high-temperature water vapor is controlled by the formation of hydrated clusters of the form CuCl(H 2 O) n , where the average number of water molecules in the cluster generally increases with increasing density [Migdisov, A. A.; et al. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta2014, 129, 33–53]. However, the precise nature of these clusters is difficult to probe experimentally. Moreover, there are some discrepancies between experimental estimates of average cluster size and prior simulation work [Mei, Y. Geofluids2018, 2018, 4279124]. Here, we have performed first-principles Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore these clusters in finer detail. We find that molecular dynamics is not the most appropriate technique for studying aggregation in vapor phases, even at relatively high temperatures. Specifically, our MD simulations exhibit substantial problems in adequately sampling the equilibrium cluster size distribution. In contrast, MC simulations with specialized cluster moves are able to accurately sample the phase space of hydrogen-bonding vapors. At all densities, we find a stable, slightly distorted linear H 2 O–Cu–Cl structure, which is in agreement with the earlier simulations, surrounded by a variable number of water molecules. The surrounding water molecules do not form a well-defined second solvation shell but rather a loose network of hydrogen-bonded water with molecular CuCl on the outside edge of the water cluster. We also find a broad distribution of hydration numbers, especially at higher densities. In contrast to previous simulation work but in agreement with experimental data, we find that the average hydration number substantially increases with increasing density. Moreover, the value of the hydration number depends on the choice of cluster definition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

First-principles Modeling and Design of Solid-State Interfaces for the Protection and Use of Lithium Metal Anodes

Li-ion batteries are one of the most advanced energy storage technologies in use today. Li-ion batteries are used in a multitude of applications ranging from consumer electronics, medical devices, sensors and grid storage. However, improving the capacity and energy density delivered by current Li-ion technology requires advanced materials research into novel chemical systems. In this project we have focused particularly in the use of solid-state electrolytes with lithium metal electrodes. Research into all solid-state batteries (ASSB) with Li metal electrodes has significantly expanded in recent years, however most studies reported experimental findings, which left substantial room for theoretical and modeling work as a tool to understand and determine design principles allowing reliable and safe use of ASSBs with Li metal. Among the remaining obstacles preventing reliable use of ASSBs with a Li metal electrode, the stability of the interface between the solid electrolyte and Li metal, and the propagation/dendrite formation of Li metal and resulting mechanical degradation of the electrolyte are key phenomenon that are yet to be fully understood. In the current project we have addressed these two coupled phenomena using first principles calculations and mesoscale continuum modeling. We have obtained chemical and electrochemical stability windows for several solid electrolyte materials. Additionally, from mathematical and numerical modeling of Li protrusion and dendrite initiation during plating and stripping we have determined design criteria in terms of chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties and operating conditions for which stable deposition can occur. We also considered the effects of mixed electronic-ionic conduction in solid electrolytes, which has more recently been suggested as another important mechanism involved in ASSB failure. Throughout our work we have successfully addressed important questions necessary for the use of ASSB’s. We have determined guiding principles for materials properties and operating conditions necessary to operate ASSB’s. And have proposed novel solid electrolyte materials with predicted chemical stability an ionic conductivity. Although this represents significant progress in our understanding, open questions remain in order to fully develop reliable and safely operate ASSBs with Li metal. Future work, building on this project will require further experimental, theoretical and simulation efforts to address remaining questions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

First-principles study of structural, elastic, electronic, transport properties, and dielectric breakdown of Cs 2 Te photocathode

The pursuit to operate photocathodes at high accelerating gradients to increase brightness of electron beams is gaining interests within the accelerator community, particularly for applications such as free electron lasers (FEL) and compact accelerators. Cesium telluride (Cs 2 Te) is a widely used photocathode material and it is presumed to offer resilience to higher gradients because of its wider band gap compared to other semiconductors. Despite its advantages, crucial material properties of Cs 2 Te remain largely unknown both in theory and experiments. In this study, we employ first-principles calculations to provide detailed structural, elastic, electronic and transport properties of Cs 2 Te. It is found that Cs 2 Te has an intrinsic mobility of 20 cm 2 /Vs for electrons and 2.0 cm 2 /Vs for holes at room temperature. The low mobility is primarily limited by the strong polar optical phonon scattering. Cs 2 Te also exhibits ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of 0.2 W/(m*K) at room temperature. Based on the energy gain/loss balance under external field and electron–phonon scattering, we predict that Cs 2 Te has a dielectric breakdown field in the range from ~ 60 to ~ 132 MV/m at room temperature dependent on the doping level of Cs 2 Te. Our results are crucial to advance the understanding of applicability of Cs 2 Te photocathodes for high-gradient operation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

The structural, electronic and phonon behavior of CsPbI{sub 3}: A first principles study

Metal halide perovskites are optoelectronic materials that have attracted enormous attention as solar cells with power conversion efficiencies reaching 20%. The benefit of using hybrid compounds resides in their ability to combine the advantage of these two classes of compounds: the high mobility of inorganic materials and the ease of processing of organic materials. In spite of the growing attention of this new material, very little is known about the electronic and phonon properties of the inorganic part of this compounds. A theoretical study of structural, electronic and phonon properties of metal-halide cubic perovskite, CsPbI{sub 3} is presented, using first-principles calculations with planewave pseudopotential method as personified in PWSCF code. In this approach local density approximation (LDA) is used for exchange-correlation potential.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2018

Revealing the role of nitrogen on hydride nucleation and stability in pure niobium using first-principles calculations

Niobium provides the basis for all superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities in use, however, hydrogen is readily absorbed by niobium during cavity fabrication and subsequent niobium hydride precipitation when cooled to cryogenic temperatures degrades its superconducting properties. In the last few years the addition of dopant elements such as nitrogen has been experimentally shown to significantly improve the quality factor of niobium SRF cavities. One of the contributors to Q degradation can be presence of hydrides; however, the underlying mechanisms associated with the kinetics of hydrogen and the thermodynamic stability of hydride precipitates in the presence of dopants are not well known. Using first principles calculations, the effects of nitrogen on the energetic preference for hydrogen to occupy interstitial sites and hydride stability are examined. In particular, the presence of nitrogen significantly increased the energy barrier for hydrogen diffusion from one tetrahedral site to another interstitial site. Furthermore, the beta niobium hydride precipitate became energetically unstable upon addition of nitrogen in the niobium matrix. Through electronic density of states and valence charge transfer calculations, nitrogen showed a strong tendency to accumulate charge around itself, thereby decreasing the strength of covalent bonds between niobium and hydrogen atoms leading to a very unstable state for hydrogen and hydrides. These calculations show that the presence of nitrogen during processing plays a critical role in controlling hydride precipitation and subsequent SRF properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

First-Principles Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Ammonia Adsorption onto MFI Zeolite Nanosheets

MFI zeolite nanosheet membranes are promising candidates for ammonia separation from nitrogen and hydrogen gases, yet questions remain on the origin of their high selectivity. Silanols, Si–OH, are present in high concentration at the surface of zeolite nanosheets, and force-field-based simulations indicate that surface adsorption at the silanols contributes to selectivity. Acidic silanol groups can chemically react with ammonia via transfer of a proton to form ammonium ions, which may further contribute to the ability of zeolite nanosheet membranes to separate ammonia from other gases. In this work, we used first-principles molecular dynamics techniques to simulate ammonia’s behavior within stacked MFI zeolite nanosheets. We found that at 523 K and a loading corresponding to 35 bar, conditions desired for the ammonia separation, about 30% of ammonia reacts with surface silanols. Our work explored H-bonding and proton transfer within this system.

ammonia↗
DOE OSTI2023

A first-principles machine-learning force field for heterogeneous ice nucleation on microcline feldspar

The formation of ice in the atmosphere affects precipitation and cloud properties, and plays a key role in the climate of our planet. Although ice can form directly from liquid water at deeply supercooled conditions, the presence of foreign particles can aid ice formation at much warmer temperatures. Over the past decade, experiments have highlighted the remarkable efficiency of feldspar minerals as ice nuclei compared to other particles present in the atmosphere. However, the exact mechanism of ice formation on feldspar surfaces has yet to be fully understood. Here, we develop a first-principles machine-learning model for the potential energy surface aimed at studying ice nucleation at microcline feldspar surfaces. The model is able to reproduce with high-fidelity the energies and forces derived from density-functional theory (DFT) based on the SCAN exchange and correlation functional. Our training set includes configurations of bulk supercooled water, hexagonal and cubic ice, microcline, and fully-hydroxylated feldspar surfaces exposed to vacuum, liquid water, and ice. In this work, we apply the machine-learning force field to study different fully-hydroxylated terminations of the (100), (010), and (001) surfaces of microcline exposed to vacuum. Our calculations suggest that terminations that do not minimize the number of broken bonds are preferred in vacuum. We also study the structure of supercooled liquid water in contact with microcline surfaces, and find that water density correlations extend up to around 10 Å from the surfaces. Finally, we show that the force field maintains a high accuracy during the simulation of ice formation at microcline surfaces, even for large systems of around 30,000 atoms. Future work will be directed towards the calculation of nucleation free energy barriers and rates using the force field developed herein, and understanding the role of different microcline surfaces on ice nucleation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

First-Principles Calculation of Vibrational Mode Lifetimes in Complex Materials (Final Report)

The major goal of this project was to develop and apply the moments-based calculation of frequencies and lifetimes of vibrational modes in solids. Most of the effort went into calculation of frequencies (dependence on temperature) and in comparing to experiment. We were successful in reaching that goal. There were three stage: 1) Test levels of approximation and understand their range of validity; 2a) Write an application program for empirical potentials (Jazz, a wrapper for LAMMPS) and use it to perform calculations for interesting materials; 2b) Write a similar application program for a first-principles electronic structure code; 3) Apply the codes to the study of anharmonicity in a variety of materials (bulk silicon, graphene, fullereness, and carbon nanotubes).

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

First-Principles Calculations to Investigate the Structural, Electronic, and Half-Metallic Properties of Ti{sub 2}RhSn{sub 1-x}Si{sub x}, Ti{sub 2}RhSn{sub 1-x}Ge{sub x}, and Ti{sub 2}RhGe{sub 1-x}Si{sub x} (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) Quaternary Heusler Alloys

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of Ti{sub 2}RhSn{sub 1-x}Si{sub x}, Ti{sub 2}RhSn{sub 1-x}Ge{sub x}, and Ti{sub 2}RhGe{sub 1-x}Si{sub x} (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) quaternary Heusler alloys have been investigated using first-principles density functional theory within generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and local spin-density approximation with Hubbard-U corrections (LSDA+U). The calculations have been performed using the full-potential linearized augmented Plane wave plus local orbitals method. The crystal structures of Ti{sub 2}RhSn{sub 1-x}Si{sub x}, Ti{sub 2}RhSn{sub 1-x}Ge{sub x}, and Ti{sub 2}RhGe{sub 1-x}Si{sub x} were found to be cubic in (F-43m) symmetry for x = 0, 1 and cubic in (P-43m) symmetry for x = 0.25, 0.75, while tetragonal in (P-4m2) symmetry for x = 0.5. The results show that all Ti{sub 2}RhSn1-xSix, Ti{sub 2}RhGe{sub 0.75}Si{sub 0.25}, and Ti{sub 2}RhGe alloys are half-metallic ferrimagnetic. These new materials are good candidates for potential applications in spintronic.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

$\alpha$-Clustering in atomic nuclei from first principles with statistical learning and the Hoyle state character

A long-standing crucial question with atomic nuclei is whether or not α clustering occurs there. An α particle (helium-4 nucleus) comprises two protons and two neutrons, and may be the building block of some nuclei. This is a very beautiful and fascinating idea, and is indeed plausible because the α particle is particularly stable with a large binding energy. However, direct experimental evidence has never been provided. Here, we show whether and how α(-like) objects emerge in atomic nuclei, by means of state-of-the-art quantum many-body simulations formulated from first principles, utilizing supercomputers including K/Fugaku. The obtained physical quantities exhibit agreement with experimental data. The appearance and variation of the α clustering are shown by utilizing density profiles for the nuclei beryllium-8, -10 and carbon-12. With additional insight by statistical learning, an unexpected crossover picture is presented for the Hoyle state, a critical gateway to the birth of life.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

First-principle calculation and assignment for vibrational spectra of Ba(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3} microwave dielectric ceramic

1:2 B-site cation ordered Ba(Mg{sub 1/3}Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3} ceramic was synthesized using conventional solid-state reaction at 1600 °C for 12 h. The structure parameters were obtained through Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data. The Raman peak frequencies were obtained by Lorenz fitting on Raman spectrum. Four-parameter semiquantum model was used to fit the infrared (IR) reflectivity spectrum, and the fitted parameters were used to calculate the dielectric permittivity ε and dielectric loss tanδ. A total of 9 active Raman and 16 active IR modes were obtained using first-principle calculations based on density functional theory with local density approximation. All of the vibrational modes were assigned and represented by linear combinations of the symmetry coordinates deduced using group theory analysis. The Raman mode with the highest frequency A{sub 1g}{sup (4)} (789 cm{sup −1}) can be described as the breathing vibration of NbO{sub 6}. The IR modes E{sub u}{sup (1)} (149 cm{sup −1}) and A{sub 2u}{sup (2)} (212 cm{sup −1}), which can be described as the twisting vibrations of Ba–MgO{sub 6}/Ba–NbO{sub 6} on the a–b plane and the stretching vibrations of Ba–MgO{sub 6}/Ba–NbO{sub 6} along the c direction, respectively, are the dominant contributing modes to ε and tanδ. The dielectric property parameters obtained using IR spectrum fittings, first-principal calculations, and microwave measurements were compared.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2012

Crystal structure of Sr{sub 6}Y{sub 2}Al{sub 4}O{sub 15}: XRD refinements and first-principle calculations

The ternary oxide phase Sr{sub 6}Y{sub 2}Al{sub 4}O{sub 15} (SYA) was synthesized and the crystal structure was determined by using the X-ray powder diffraction data. Structure of the phase can be considered as an oxygen-deficient perovskite Sr(Y{sub 1/3}Al{sub 2/3})O{sub 2.5} and has a monoclinic C2 (S.G. No. 5) unit cell with the unit cell parameters: a=17.597(1) A, b=5.7408(1) A, c=7.6860(1) A, {beta}=90.7659(3) Degree-Sign , V{sub cell}=776.37(1) A{sup 3}, Z=2. By bond parameter analysis and first-principle calculations, we confirmed the reasonability of our crystal structure model. According to the calculated band structure, SYA has an indirect band gap {approx}4.3 eV and a direct band gap {approx}4.4 eV, which is wide to be transparent to UV and visible lights. We also synthesized other rare-earth isomorphs Sr{sub 6}Ln{sub 2}Al{sub 4}O{sub 15} (Ln=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu) and obtained their cell parameters. - Graphical abstract: Sr{sub 6}Y{sub 2}Al{sub 4}O{sub 15} has a monoclinic unit cell with space group C2 (5) with unit cell parameters: a=17.597(1) A, b=5.7408(1) A, c=7.6860(1) A, {beta}=90.7659(3) Degree-Sign . Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sr{sub 6}Y{sub 2}Al{sub 4}O{sub 15} (SYA) has an oxygen-deficient perovskite structure Sr(Y{sub 1/3}Al{sub 2/3})O{sub 2.5}. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SYA shows C2 symmetry: a=17.597(1) A, b=5.7408(1) A, c=7.6860(1) A, {beta}=90.7659(3) Degree-Sign . Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer SYA has an indirect band gap {approx}4.3 eV and a direct band gap {approx}4.4 eV.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗