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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

A new class of variable-radii diffraction optics for high-resolution x-ray spectroscopy at the National Ignition Facility (invited)

A new class of crystal shapes has been developed for x-ray spectroscopy of point-like or small (a few mm) emission sources. These optics allow for dramatic improvement in both achievable energy resolution and total throughput of the spectrometer as compared with traditional designs. This class of crystal shapes, collectively referred to as the Variable-Radii Spiral (VR-Spiral), utilize crystal shapes in which both the major and minor radii are variable. A crystal using this novel VR-Spiral shape has now been fabricated for high-resolution Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) experiments targeting the Pb-L 3 (13.0 keV) absorption edge at the National Ignition Facility. The performance of this crystal has been characterized in the laboratory using a microfocus x-ray source, showing that high-resolution high-throughput EXAFS spectra can be acquired using this geometry. Importantly, these successful tests show that the complex three-dimensional crystal shape is manufacturable with the required precision needed to realize the expected performance of better than 5 eV energy resolution while using a 30 mm high crystal. An improved generalized mathematical form for VR-Spiral shapes is also presented allowing improved optimization as compared to the first sinusoidal-spiral based design. Finally, this new formulation allows VR-Spiral spectrometers to be designed at any magnification with optimized energy resolution at all energies within the spectrometer bandwidth.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structural and Spectroscopic Comparison of Soft‐Se vs. Hard‐O Donor Bonding in Trivalent Americium/Neodymium Molecules

Covalency is often considered to be an influential factor in driving An 3+ vs. Ln 3+ selectivity invoked by soft donor ligands. This is intensely debated, particularly the extent to which An 3+ /Ln 3+ covalency differences prevail and manifest as the f-block is traversed, and the effects of periodic breaks beyond Pu. Herein, two Am complexes, [Am{N(E=PPh 2 ) 2 } 3 ] (1-Am, E=Se; 2-Am, E=O) are compared to isoradial [Nd{N(E=PPh 2 ) 2 } 3 ] (1-Nd, 2-Nd) complexes. Covalent contributions are assessed and compared to U/La and Pu/Ce analogues. In conclusion, through ab initio calculations grounded in UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structures, we observe differences in f orbital involvement between Am–Se and Nd–Se bonds, which are not present in O-donor congeners.

Goodwin, Conrad A. P.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Ammonothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Vibrational Properties of the Doubly Deprotonated Calcium Guanidinate, CaC(NH) 3

We report the synthesis of the doubly deprotonated calcium guanidinate, CaC(NH) 3 , from liquid ammonia and its crystal structure as determined from powder X‐ray and neutron diffraction, and confirmed using CNH elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectroscopy data. CaC(NH) 3 crystallizes in the hexagonal system with space group P 6 3 / m (no. 176) with Z = 2 and a = 5.2666(13) Å, c = 6.5881(6) Å and V = 158.25(4) Å 3 . We also compare the structural similarities and differences of this phase with the isotypical strontium and ytterbium compounds.

Ogutu, George↗
DOE OSTI2026

Disentangling interlayer confinement and pore surface adsorption in functionalized smectites for tunable ethylene gas capture

Smectite-based adsorbents are increasingly being studied as sustainable packaging materials for scavenging ethylene, a plant hormone that accelerates fruit ripening. However, the mechanisms governing their uptake and retention remain poorly understood. Here, to tackle this question we systematically investigate ethylene gas-solid interactions in pristine, acid-activated, and choline-functionalized montmorillonites using a complementary combination of structural, gravimetric, and spectroscopic techniques, including inelastic neutron scattering. We experimentally distinguish ethylene populations associated with interlayer confinement, mesopore, and external surface adsorption. We show that chemical functionalization distinctly controls adsorption pathways: acid activation enhances total uptake by generating mesoporous adsorption sites and promoting partial interlayer intercalation, yielding capacities comparable to those of leading smectite-based adsorbents, while choline functionalization promotes preferential confinement and stabilization of guest molecules within the interlayer galleries. Advanced spectroscopic analysis provides molecular-level insight into confinement environments and interaction strengths. We also establish clear structure-property relationships by correlating uptake values derived from independent techniques, linking chemical modification, accessible adsorption domains, and retention behavior. These findings provide general design principles for tuning gas-solid interactions in functionalized layered silicates and highlight their potential as adaptable platforms for sustainable ethylene gas capture and selective adsorption technologies.

Ethylene adsorption mechanism↗
DOE OSTI2022

Weakening the N–H Bonds of NH 3 Ligands: Triple Hydrogen-Atom Abstraction to Form a Chromium(V) Nitride

Weakening and cleaving N-H bonds is crucial for improving molecular ammonia oxidation catalysts. In this work, we report the synthesis and hydrogen atom abstraction chemistry of bis(ammonia) Cr porphyrin complexes Cr(TPP)(NH 3 ) 2 and Cr(TMP)(NH 3 ) 2 (TPP = 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-meso-porphyrin and TMP = 5,10,15,20-tetramesityl-meso-porphyrin) using bulky aryloxyl radicals. The triple hydrogen atom abstraction reaction results in the formation of Cr V (por)(≡N), with the nitride deriving from ammonia, as indicated by UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, and a single crystal structural determination of Cr(TPP)(≡N). Subsequent oxidation of this chromium(V)-nitrido complex results in the formation of Cr III (por), with scission of the Cr≡N bond. A computational analysis illustrates the progression from Cr II to Cr V and evaluates the energetics of abstracting hydrogen atoms from Cr II -NH 3 to generate Cr V ≡N. The formation and isolation of Cr V (por)(≡N) illustrates the stability of these species and the need to chemically activate the nitride moiety for atom transfer or N-N coupling reactivity.

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

Comparable Enhancement of TERS Signals from WSe 2 on Chromium and Gold

Plasmonic tip-sample junctions, at which the incident and scattered optical fields are localized and optimally enhanced, are often exploited to achieve ultrasensitive and highly spatially localized tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS). Recent work has demonstrated that the sensitivity and spatial resolution that are required to probe single molecules are attainable in such platforms. In this work, we observe and rationalize comparable TERS from few-layer WSe 2 single crystals exfoliated onto Au- and Cr-coated Si substrates, using a plasmonic TERS probe excited with a 638-nm laser. Our experimental observations are supported by finite-difference time-domain simulations that illustrate that the attainable field enhancement factors at the Au-Au and Au-Cr tip-sample nanojunctions are comparable in magnitude. Furthermore, through a combined experimental and theoretical analysis, we propose that besides Au/Ag, several metallic substrates may be used to record bright TERS spectral images.

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

Spin–Lattice Relaxation Decoherence Suppression in Vanishing Orbital Angular Momentum Qubits

Multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy on oriented single crystals of magnetically dilute Gd(III) ions in Gd 0.004 Y 0.996 (trensal) is used to determine the Hamiltonian parameters of the ground 8 S 7/2 term and its phase memory time, Tm, characterizing its coherent spin dynamics. Here, the vanishing orbital angular momentum of the 8 S 7/2 term makes it relatively insensitive to spin–lattice relaxation mediated by magnetoelastic coupling and leads to a T m of 12 μs at 3 K, which is not limited by spin–lattice relaxation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Small molecule BLVRB redox inhibitor promotes megakaryocytopoiesis and stress thrombopoiesis in vivo

Biliverdin IXβ reductase (BLVRB) is an NADPH-dependent enzyme previously implicated in a redox-regulated mechanism of thrombopoiesis distinct from the thrombopoietin (TPO)/c-MPL axis. Here, we apply computational modeling to inform molecule design, followed by de novo syntheses and screening of unique small molecules retaining the capacity for selective BLVRB inhibition as a novel platelet-enhancing strategy. Two distinct classes of molecules are identified, and NMR spectroscopy and co-crystallization studies confirm binding modes within the BLVRB active site and ring stacking between the nicotinamide moiety of the NADP+ cofactor. A diazabicyclo derivative displaying minimal off-target promiscuity and excellent bioavailability characteristics promotes megakaryocyte speciation in biphenotypic (erythro/megakaryocyte) cellular models and synergizes with TPO-dependent megakaryocyte formation in hematopoietic stem cells. Upon oral delivery into mice, this inhibitor expands platelet recovery in stress thrombopoietic models with no adverse effects. In this work, we identify and validate a cellular redox inhibitor retaining the potential to selectively promote megakaryocytopoiesis and enhance stress-associated platelet formation in vivo distinct from TPO receptor agonists.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Dirac nodal arc in 1T-VSe 2

Transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit many fascinating properties including superconductivity, magnetic orders, and charge density wave. The combination of these features with a non-trivial band topology opens the possibility of additional exotic states such as Majorana fermions and quantum anomalous Hall effect. Here, we report on photon-energy and polarization dependent spin-resolved angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments on single crystal 1T-VSe 2 , revealing an unexpected band inversion and emergent Dirac nodal arc with spin-momentum locking. Density functional theory calculations suggest a surface lattice strain could be the driving mechanism for the topologically nontrivial electronic structure of 1T-VSe 2 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Altering the solubility of metal–organic polyhedra via pendant functionalization of Cp 3 Zr 3 O(OH) 3 nodes

Here, the chemistry of zirconium-based metal-organic polyhedra (ZrMOPs) is often limited by their poor solubilities. Despite their attractive features—including high yielding and facile syntheses, predictable topologies, high stability, and tunability—problematic solubilities have caused ZrMOPs to be under-studied and under-applied. Although these cages have been synthesized with a wide variety of carboxylate-based bridging ligands, we explored a new method for ZrMOP functionalization via node-modification, which we hypothesized could influence solubility. Herein, we report ZrMOPs with benzyl-, vinylbenzyl-, and trifluoromethylbenzyl-pendant groups decorating cyclopentadienyl moieties. The series was characterized by 1 H/ 19 F NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The effects of node functionalities on ZrMOP solubility were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Substitution caused a decrease in water solubility, but for certain organic solvents, e.g. DMF, solubility could be enhanced by ~20×, from 16 μM for the unfunctionalized cage to 310 μM for the vinylbenzyl- and trifluoromethylbenzyl-cages.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Room temperature crystal field splitting of curium resolved by circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopy

Coordination of Cm(III) with a chiral decadentate ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[(6-carboxypyridin-2-yl)methyl]-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (tpadac) generated complexes with strong luminescence allowing for the unprecedented measurement of well-resolved Cm(III) circularly polarized luminescence spectra. Quantitative resolution of the electronic structure of the [Cm(tpadac)][K] complexes was achieved at room temperature, highlighting the strength of the combination of luminescence and circularly polarized luminescence spectroscopies to unravel the fundamental electronic structure of Cm(III). These results are a clear demonstration that these spectroscopies are powerful yet simple tools for the fundamental understanding of electronic structure, which opens the door to future investigations of other Cm(III) complexes in geometries relevant to nuclear applications, and even other 5f-elements.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Direct measurement of covalent three-center, two-electron M–H–B bonding in Zr and Hf borohydrides using B K-edge XAS

Metal borohydride complexes have long been the subject of intense fundamental interest because of their unconventional metal–ligand bonding that occurs via three-center, two-electron M–H–B bonds. This type of bonding implies significant delocalization of electron density over all three atoms, but the degree of orbital mixing between the metal and boron has been difficult to assess by direct experimental means. Herein, we demonstrate how ligand K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) conducted at the B K-edge yields evidence of significant covalent M–H–B bonding with Zr and Hf. To accommodate the B K-edge XAS studies, which were conducted under ultra-high vacuum (<10 −8 torr), we prepared a series of new [Zr(RBH 3 ) 4 ] and [Hf(RBH 3 ) 4 ] complexes with substituents that attenuate volatility (R = benzyl, phenyl, mesityl, 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl, and anthryl). 1 H and 11 B NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed metal and ligand dependent differences in the BH 3 chemical shifts that correlate to changes in M−B distances and select B–H vibrational stretching modes. The B K-edge XAS spectra of the Zr and Hf complexes yielded a pre-edge feature that was assigned as B 1s → M–H–B π* based on comparison to time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. The pre-edge transitions appear due to covalent mixing between boron and the metal, thereby demonstrating how B K-edge XAS can provide direct evidence of covalent three-center, two electron M–H–B bonding in borohydride complexes using boron as a spectroscopic reporter.

Hansen, Hannah M. [University of Iowa, Iowa City, ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigation of electrode passivation during oxidation of a nitroxide radical relevant for flow battery applications

Nitroxide-radicals such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (TEMPO) and their derivatives have gained interest as redox-active organic molecules for applications in grid-scale energy storage. In particular, the higher solubility of 4-hydroxy-TEMPO in aqueous media greatly improves its energy density, but unusual kinetics associated with its surface-mediated electrooxidation have limited further development. Here, the apparent passivation behavior of species formed during 4-hydroxy-TEMPO electrooxidation in concentrated electrolytes is investigated. A combination of surface microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and quartz-crystal gravimetry confirms the formation of a polymeric-type layer over the electrode surface composed of 4-hydroxy-TEMPO-like subunits, which is otherwise not observed with TEMPO. This study indicates that the design of high energy density and stable TEMPO-based redox molecules must also consider the reactivity that may occur due to the molecular characteristics of solubility-enhancing moieties. It is found that the extent of passivation is dependent on the voltage scan rate and 4-hydroxy-TEMPO concentration, underscoring the importance of studying materials at conditions relevant for their proposed applications. Evidence of incomplete passivation and an electrode self-cleaning process is presented, suggesting a materials design strategy to mitigate surface passivation from side reactions that may occur in redox active materials for energy storage applications.

Buchanan, Cailin [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL↗
DOE OSTI2021

Magnetic properties of the Ising-like rare earth pyrosilicate: D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7

Ising-like spin-1/2 magnetic materials are of interest for their ready connection to theory, particularly in the context of quantum critical behavior. In this work we report detailed studies of the magnetic properties of a member of the rare earth pyrosilicate family, D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7 , which is known to display a highly anisotropic Ising-like g-tensor and effective spin-1/2 magnetic moments. We used powder neutron diffraction, powder inelastic neutron spectroscopy (INS), and single crystal AC susceptibility to characterize its magnetic properties. Neutron diffraction enabled us to determine the magnetic structure below the known transition temperature (T N = 1.9 K) in zero field, confirming that the magnetic state is a four-sublattice antiferromagnetic structure with two non-collinear Ising axes, as was previously hypothesized. Our powder INS data revealed a gapped excitation at zero field, consistent with anisotropic (possibly Ising) exchange. An applied field of 1 T produces a mode softening, which is consistent with a field-induced second order phase transition. To assess the relevance of D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7 to the transverse field Ising model, we performed AC susceptibility measurements on a single crystal with the magnetic field oriented in the direction transverse to the Ising axes. This revealed a transition at 2.65 T at 0.1 K, a field significantly higher than the mode-softening field observed by powder INS, showing that the field-induced phase transitions are highly field-direction dependent as expected. Furthermore, these measurements suggest that D-Er 2 Si 2 O 7 may be a candidate for further exploration related to the transverse field Ising model.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Observation of topological Dirac fermions and surface states in superconducting BaSn3

The interplay between topological electronic structure and superconductivity has attracted tremendous research interests recently as they could induce topological superconductivity (TSCs) which may be used to realize topological qubits for quantum computation. Among various TSC candidates, superconducting BaSn 3 (T c ~ 4.4K) has been predicted to be a topological Dirac semimetal (TDS) hosting two pairs of Dirac points along the Γ-A direction. Here, by combining the use of angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, we identified the predicted topological Dirac fermions and confirmed the TDS nature of the compound. In addition, we observed surface states connecting the Dirac points. Our observations demonstrate BaSn 3 as a superconductor with nontrivial topological electronic structures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2022

Electron-hole symmetry in quasiparticle spectral weight of cuprates observed via infrared and photoemission spectroscopy

Here we performed an optical spectroscopy study of single crystals of Pr 0.85 LaCe 0.15 CuO 4–δ (PLCCO) to revisit the electron-hole asymmetry, which has been understood as a fundamental property of cuprates. Four differently annealed samples—as-grown, reduced, optimally oxygenated, and overoxygenated samples—were prepared, which have superconducting transition temperatures T c = 0, 15, 24, and 18 K, respectively. We observed that the low-energy quasiparticle spectral weights of all the PLCCO samples are significantly small in comparison with those of other electron-doped cuprate families. Instead, they are rather close to those of their hole-doped counterpart La 2–x Sr x CuO 4 . Accordingly, estimated effective carrier numbers N eff per Cu atom of superconducting samples are also very small, despite their relatively high critical temperatures. A complementary photoemission study reveals that the low-energy quasiparticle spectral weight of PLCCO is much smaller than that of Nd 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4–δ , consistent with the optical results. Our observations demonstrate that PLCCO provides the electron-hole symmetry in the quasiparticle spectral weight and highlight the importance of Cu 3d–O 2p hybridization to understand the low-energy spectral weight transfer in doped cuprates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy of wide bandgap semiconductors damaged by deep-UV laser irradiation

The effects of a pulsed, focused, deep-UV (4.66 eV) laser on wide and ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors were investigated with photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. Three semiconductor single crystals were studied: silicon carbide (6H-SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and gallium oxide (β-Ga 2 O 3 ). Atomic emission lines from neutral Ga or Si were observed during the laser-damage process. For all three semiconductors, PL mapping (3.49 eV laser excitation) of the damaged material revealed visible emission bands in the 2.6–2.8 eV range, attributed to point defects. Raman spectra (2.33 eV excitation) showed a reduction in the Raman peak intensities in the damaged region, along with weak PL bands around 1.9–2.1 eV.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗