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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 OSTI2013

Hydrothermal synthesis and formation mechanism of hexagonal yttrium hydroxide fluoride nanobundles

Graphical abstract: The formation of yttrium hydroxide fluorides nanobundles can be expressed as a precipitation transformation from cubic NaYF{sub 4} to hexagonal NaYF{sub 4} and to hexagonal Y(OH){sub 2.02}F{sub 0.98} owing to ion exchange. - Highlights: • Novel Y(OH){sub 2.02}F{sub 0.98} nanobundles have been successfully prepared by hydrothermal method. • The branched nanobundles composed of numerous oriented-attached nanoparticles has been studied. • The growth mechanism is proposed to be ion exchange and precipitation transformation. - Abstract: This article presents the fabrication of hexagonal yttrium hydroxide fluoride nanobundles via one-pot hydrothermal process, using yttrium nitrate, sodium hydroxide and ammonia fluoride as raw materials to react in propanetriol solvent. The X-ray diffraction pattern clearly reveals that the grown product is pure yttrium hydroxide fluoride, namely Y(OH){sub 2.02}F{sub 0.98}. The morphology and microstructure of the synthesized product is testified to be nanobundles composed of numerous oriented-attached nanoparticles as observed from the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The chemical composition was analyzed by the energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), confirming the phase transformation of the products which was clearly consistent with the result of XRD analysis. It is proposed that the growth of yttrium hydroxide fluoride nanobundles be attributed to ion exchange and precipitation transformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Facile synthesis and characterization of hexagonal NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Uniform hexagonal NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates were prepared by a simple solid state reaction. • The possible formation mechanism of the NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates was discussed. • The formation of NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates undergoes a series of phase transition. - Abstract: The NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates with hexagonal morphology have been successfully prepared by a facile, environmentally friendly reaction in closed reactor at moderate temperature. The thermal (750 °C) solid-state reaction between the ball-milled mixture of micro-sized Nb and Se yielded a high yield of NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates. The as-prepared products were characterized by XRD, EDS, and SEM. The results showed that the as-prepared products were hexagonal phase NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates with uniform sizes and the formation of NbSe{sub 2} nanoplates underwent a series of phase transition. On the basis of experimental results obtained at different temperatures, a reasonable reaction process and a formation mechanism were proposed. Moreover, the ball milling time played a crucial role in acquiring the homogeneous distribution nanoplates.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Synthesis of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Mono layer: Control of Nucleation and Crystal Morphology

Mono layer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) attracts significant attention due to the potential to be used as a complementary two-dimensional dielectric in fabrication of functional 2D heterostructures. Here we investigate the growth stages of the hBN single crystals and show that hBN crystals change their shape from triangular to truncated triangular and further to hexagonal depending on copper substrate distance from the precursor. We suggest that the observed hBN crystal shape variation is affected by the ratio of boron to nitrogen active species concentrations on the copper surface inside the CVD reactor. Strong temperature dependence reveals the activation energies for the hBN nucleation process of similar to 5 eV and crystal growth of similar to 3.5 eV. We also show that the resulting h-BN film morphology is strongly affected by the heating method of borazane precursor and the buffer gas. Elucidation of these details facilitated synthesis of high quality large area monolayer hexagonal boron nitride by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition on copper using borazane as a precursor.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hexagonal Lattices of HIV Capsid Proteins Explored by Simulations Based on a Thermodynamically Consistent Model

HIV capsid proteins (CAs) may self-assemble into a variety of shapes under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Here, we employed simulations based on a residue-level coarse-grained (CG) model with full conformational flexibility to investigate hexagonal lattices, which are the underlying structural pattern for CA aggregations. Facilitated by enhanced sampling simulations to rigorously calculate CA dimerization and polymerization affinities, we calibrated our model to reproduce the experimentally measured affinities. Here using the calibrated model, we performed unbiased simulations on several large systems consisting of 1512 CA subunits, allowing reversible binding and unbinding of the CAs in a thermodynamically consistent manner. In one simulation, a preassembled hexagonal CA sheet developed spontaneous curvatures reminiscent of those observed in experiments, and the edges of the sheet exhibited local curvatures larger than those of the interior. In other simulations starting with randomly distributed CAs at different concentrations, existing CA assemblies grew by binding free capsomeres to the edges and by merging with other assemblies. At high CA concentrations, rapid establishment of predominant aggregates was followed by much slower adjustments toward more regular hexagonal lattices, with increasing numbers of intact CA hexamers and pentamers being formed. Our approach of adapting a general CG model to specific systems by using experimental binding data represents a practical and effective strategy for simulating and elucidating intricate protein aggregations.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Lamellar and Hexagonal Assemblies of PEG-Grafted Silver Nanoparticles: Implications for Plasmonics and Photonics

Assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) grafted with thiolated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-SH) with various molecular weights is reported. Synchrotron-based X-ray surface-sensitive diffraction methods are used to determine the nature of two-dimensional (2D) assemblies at liquid/vapor interfaces, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is used to monitor the three-dimensional (3D) assemblies in bulk suspensions. We find that assembly can be induced either by the addition of K 2 CO 3 or polyacrylic acid (PAA) to the PEG-AgNP aqueous suspensions. The addition of K 2 CO 3 induces a 2D hexagonal structure at the liquid/vapor interface and a 3D hexagonal columnar structure in solutions, where the columns consist of tethered PEG-AgNP chains. On the other hand, the addition of PAA leads to the formation of a 2D lamella-like distorted hexagonal sheet at the liquid/vapor interface and a 3D lamellar superstructure formed by stacked 2D sheets in the PEG-AgNP suspension. Effects of the core type of nanoparticles on the assembly can be used to control structures for potential applications in plasmonics and photonics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stabilization of 4H hexagonal phase in gold nanoribbons

Gold, silver, platinum and palladium typically crystallize with the face-centred cubic structure. Here we report the high-yield solution synthesis of gold nanoribbons in the 4H hexagonal polytype, a previously unreported metastable phase of gold. These gold nanoribbons undergo a phase transition from the original 4H hexagonal to face-centred cubic structure on ligand exchange under ambient conditions. Using monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy, the strong infrared plasmon absorption of single 4H gold nanoribbons is observed. Furthermore, the 4H hexagonal phases of silver, palladium and platinum can be readily stabilized through direct epitaxial growth of these metals on the 4H gold nanoribbon surface. Our findings may open up new strategies for the crystal phase-controlled synthesis of advanced noble metal nanomaterials.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2019

Super-geometric electron focusing on the hexagonal Fermi surface of PdCoO 2

Geometric electron optics may be implemented in solids when electron transport is ballistic on the length scale of a device. Currently, this is realized mainly in 2D materials characterized by circular Fermi surfaces. Here we demonstrate that the nearly perfectly hexagonal Fermi surface of PdCoO 2 gives rise to highly directional ballistic transport. We probe this directional ballistic regime in a single crystal of PdCoO 2 by use of focused ion beam (FIB) micro-machining, defining crystalline ballistic circuits with features as small as 250 nm. The peculiar hexagonal Fermi surface naturally leads to enhanced electron self-focusing effects in a magnetic field compared to circular Fermi surfaces. This super-geometric focusing can be quantitatively predicted for arbitrary device geometry, based on the hexagonal cyclotron orbits appearing in this material. These results suggest a novel class of ballistic electronic devices exploiting the unique transport characteristics of strongly faceted Fermi surfaces.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

In situ observation of the atomic shuffles during the {${{11}}\bar{{{2}}}{{1}}$} twinning in hexagonal close-packed rhenium

Twinning, on par with dislocations, is critically required in plastic deformation of hexagonal close-packed crystals at low temperatures. In contrast to that in cubic-structured crystals, twinning in hexagonal close-packed crystals requires atomic shuffles in addition to shear. Though the twinning shear that is carried by twinning dislocations has been captured for decades, direct experimental observation of the atomic shuffles, especially when the shuffling mode is not unique and does not confine to the plane of shear, remains a formidable challenge to date. Here, by using in-situ transmission electron microscopy, we directly capture the atomic mechanism of the {${{11}}\bar{{{2}}}{{1}}$} twinning in hexagonal close packed rhenium nanocrystals. Results show that the {${{11}}\bar{{{2}}}{{1}}$} twinning is dominated by the ($\textbf{b}$ 1/2 , h 1/2 ) twinning disconnections. In contrast to conventional expectations, the atomic shuffles accompanying the twinning disconnections proceed on alternative basal planes along 1/6 {${{1\bar1}}{{{0}}}{{0}}$} , which may be attributed to the free surface in nanocrystal samples, leading to a lack of mirror symmetry across the {${{11}}\bar{{{2}}}{{1}}$} twin boundary.

(S)TEM↗
DOE OSTI2016

Discovery of superconductivity in hard hexagonal ε-NbN

Since the discovery of superconductivity in boron-doped diamond with a critical temperature (T C ) near 4 K, great interest has been attracted in hard superconductors such as transition-metal nitrides and carbides. Here we report the new discovery of superconductivity in polycrystalline hexagonal ε-NbN synthesized at high pressure and high temperature. Direct magnetization and electrical resistivity measurements demonstrate that the superconductivity in bulk polycrystalline hexagonal ε-NbN is below ~11.6 K, which is significantly higher than that for boron-doped diamond. The nature of superconductivity in hexagonal ε-NbN and the physical mechanism for the relatively lower T C have been addressed by the weaker bonding in the Nb-N network, the co-planarity of Nb-N layer as well as its relatively weaker electron-phonon coupling, as compared with the cubic δ-NbN counterpart. Moreover, the newly discovered ε-NbN superconductor remains stable at pressures up to ~20 GPa and is significantly harder than cubic δ-NbN; it is as hard as sapphire, ultra-incompressible and has a high shear rigidity of 201 GPa to rival hard/superhard material γ-B (~227 GPa). Furthermore, this exploration opens a new class of highly desirable materials combining the outstanding mechanical/elastic properties with superconductivity, which may be particularly attractive for its technological and engineering applications in extreme environments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

Predicting the preferred morphology of hexagonal boron nitride domain structure on nickel from ReaxFF-based molecular dynamics simulations

An understanding of the nucleation and growth of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) on nickel substrates is essential to its development as a functional material. In particular, fundamental insights into the formation of the hexagonal lattices with alternating boron (B) and nitrogen (N) atoms could be exploited to control hBN lattice morphologies for targeted applications. Here, the preferred shapes and edge configurations of atomically smooth hBN on Ni(111) were investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, along with reactive force field (ReaxFF) developed to represent the Ni/B/N system and the lattice-building B–N bond formation. The obtained hBN lattices, from different B : N feed ratios, are able to confirm that hBN domain geometries can indeed be tuned by varying thermodynamic parameters (i.e., chemical potentials of N and B) – a finding that has only been predicted using quantum mechanical theories. Here, we also showed that the nitrogen fed to the system plays a more crucial role in dictating the size of hBN lattices. With an increase of the relative N content, the simulated hBN domain shapes also transition from equilateral triangles to hexagons, again, consistent with the anticipation based on Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Hence, a plausible approach to acquire a desired hBN nanostructure depends on careful control over the synthesis conditions, which now can benefit from reliable molecular simulations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

Tunneling characteristics in chemical vapor deposited graphene–hexagonal boron nitride–graphene junctions

Large area chemical vapor deposited graphene and hexagonal boron nitride was used to fabricate graphene–hexagonal boron nitride–graphene symmetric field effect transistors. Gate control of the tunneling characteristics is observed similar to previously reported results for exfoliated graphene–hexagonal boron nitride–graphene devices. Density-of-states features are observed in the tunneling characteristics of the devices, although without large resonant peaks that would arise from lateral momentum conservation. The lack of distinct resonant behavior is attributed to disorder in the devices, and a possible source of the disorder is discussed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Femtosecond laser direct writing of monocrystalline hexagonal silver prisms

Bottom-up growth methods and top-down patterning techniques are both used to fabricate metal nanostructures, each with a distinct advantage: One creates crystalline structures and the other offers precise positioning. Here, we present a technique that localizes the growth of metal crystals to the focal volume of a laser beam, combining advantages from both approaches. We report the fabrication of silver nanoprisms—hexagonal nanoscale silver crystals—through irradiation with focused femtosecond laser pulses. The growth of these nanoprisms is due to a nonlinear optical interaction between femtosecond laser pulses and a polyvinylpyrrolidone film doped with silver nitrate. The hexagonal nanoprisms have bases hundreds of nanometers in size and the crystal growth occurs over exposure times of less than 1 ms (8 orders of magnitude faster than traditional chemical techniques). Electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows that the hexagonal nanoprisms are monocrystalline. The fabrication method combines advantages from both wet chemistry and femtosecond laser direct-writing to grow silver crystals in targeted locations. The results presented in this letter offer an approach to directly positioning and growing silver crystals on a substrate, which can be used for plasmonic devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2014

Curvature and ionization-induced reversible hydrogen storage in metalized hexagonal B{sub 36}

The synthesis of quasiplanar boron clusters (B{sub 36}) with a central hexagonal hole provides the first experimental evidence that a single-atomic-layer borophene with hexagonal vacancies is potentially viable [Z. Piazza, H. Hu, W. Li, Y. Zhao, J. Li, and L. S. Wang, Nat. Commun. 5, 3113 (2014)]. However, owing to the hexagonal holes, tunning the electronic and physical properties of B{sub 36} through chemical modifications is not fully understood. Based on (van der Waals corrected-) density functional theory, we show that Li adsorbed on B{sub 36} and B{sub 36}{sup −} clusters can serve as reversible hydrogen storage media. The present results indicate that the curvature and ionization of substrates can enhance the bond strength of Li due to the energetically favorable B 2p-Li 2p orbitals hybridization. Both the polarization mechanism and the orbital hybridization between H-s orbitals and Li-2s2p orbitals contribute to the adsorption of H{sub 2} molecules and the resulting adsorption energy lies between the physisorbed and chemisorbed states. Interestingly, the number of H{sub 2} in the hydrogen storage medium can be measured by the appearance of the negative differential resistance behavior at different bias voltage regions. Furthermore, the cluster-assembled hydrogen storage materials constructed by metalized B{sub 36} clusters do not cause a decrease in the number of adsorbed hydrogen molecules per Li. The system reported here is favorable for the reversible hydrogen adsorption/desorption at ambient conditions.

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

Effective Hamiltonian for surface states of topological insulator thin films with hexagonal warping

The effective Hamiltonian of the surface states on semi-infinite slabs of the topological insulators (TI) Bi{sub 2}Te{sub 3} and Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} require the addition of a cubic momentum hexagonal warping term on top of the usual Dirac fermion Hamiltonian in order to reproduce the experimentally measured constant energy contours at intermediate values of Fermi energy. In this work, we derive the effective Hamiltonian for the surface states of a Bi{sub 2}Se{sub 3} thin film incorporating the corresponding hexagonal warping terms. We then calculate the dispersion relation of the effective Hamiltonian and show that the hexagonal warping leads distorts the equal energy contours from the circular cross sections of the Dirac cones.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermal performance analysis of optimized hexagonal finned heat sinks in impinging air jet

In this study, thermal performance analysis of hexagonal finned heat sinks which optimized according to the experimental design and optimization method of Taguchi were investigated. Experiments of air jet impingement on heated hexagonal finned heat sinks were carried out adhering to the L{sub 18}(2{sup 1*}3{sup 6}) orthogonal array test plan. Optimum geometries were determined and named OH-1, OH-2. Enhancement efficiency with the first law of thermodynamics was analyzed for optimized heat sinks with 100, 150, 200 mm heights of hexagonal fin. Nusselt correlations were found out and variations of enhancement efficiency with Reynolds number presented in η–Re graphics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Temperature-induced hexagonal–orthorhombic phase transition in lutetium ferrite nanoparticles

The x-ray diffraction, Raman, and infrared spectroscopies and magnetic measurements were used to explore the correlated changes of the structure, lattice dynamics, and magnetic properties of the LuFeO3 nanoparticles, which appear in dependence on their sintering temperature. We revealed a gradual substitution of the hexagonal phase by the orthorhombic phase in the nanoparticles, with sintering temperature increasing from 700 to 1100 °C. The origin and stability of the hexagonal phase in the LuFeO3 nanoparticles are of the special interest, because the nanoparticles in the phase can be a room-temperature multiferroic with a weak ferromagnetic and pronounced structural and ferroelectric long-range ordering. The antiferromagnetic and nonpolar orthorhombic phase is more stable in the bulk LuFeO3. To define the ranges of the hexagonal phase stability, we determine the bulk and interface energy densities of different phases from the comparison of the Gibbs model with experimental results. Using effective parameters of the Gibbs model, we predict the influence of size effects and temperature on the structural and polar properties of the LuFeO3 nanoparticles. Analysis of the obtained results shows that the combination of the x-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopies, magnetic measurements, and theoretical modeling of structural and polar properties allows us to establish the interplay between the phase composition, lattice dynamics, and multiferroic properties of the LuFeO3 nanoparticles prepared under different conditions.

Materials Science↗
DOE OSTI2023

Epitaxial growth of hexagonal BaNi O 3–δ thin films on SrTi O 3 (111) substrates

Transition metal oxides containing nickel species in oxidation states higher than 3+ often exhibit high catalytic activity, which makes them promising for applications as advanced electrocatalysts for water splitting and fuel cells. Here, we examine the structure and properties of BaNiO 3 (BNO) thin films, containing formally Ni 4+ , grown on SrTiO 3 (111) substrates using oxygen-plasma–assisted molecular beam epitaxy. X-ray diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements reveal that BNO films have a hexagonal structure with $c$- and $a$-axes of mixed textures showing epitaxial relationships BNO (0001) ∥ SrTiO 3 (111) and BNO (10$\overline{1}$0) ∥ SrTi O 3 (111), respectively. The formation of the $a$-axis texture is dominant due to the smaller lattice mismatch with the substrate. Here, density functional theory calculations confirm that the hexagonal BNO film with the $a$-axis texture is energetically more favorable than the competing $c$-axis texture. Detailed spectroscopy data analysis indicates that hexagonal BNO films contain mixtures of Ni 2+ , Ni 3+ , and Ni 4+ species, with Ni 4+ being dominant. Our study provides insights into stabilizing Ni 4+ in complex oxides, which is important for further exploration of the potential of materials containing Ni 4+ .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Oxygen interaction with hexagonal OsB 2 at high temperature

The stability of ReB 2 -type hexagonal OsB 2 powder at high temperature with oxygen presence has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, SEM, EDS, and high-temperature scanning transmission electron microscopy and XRD. Results of the study revealed that OsB 2 ceramics interact readily with oxygen present in reducing atmosphere, especially at high temperature and produces boric acid, which decomposes on the surface of the powder resulting in the formation of boron vacancies in the hexagonal OsB 2 lattice as well as changes in the stoichiometry of the compound. It was also found that under low oxygen partial pressure, sintering of OsB 2 powders occurred at a relatively low temperature (900°C). Finally, hexagonal OsB 2 ceramic is prone to oxidation and it is very sensitive to oxygen partial pressures, especially at high temperatures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗