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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 1,711 records · Page 95

Surface treatment with Fenton for separation of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polyvinylchloride waste plastics by flotation

Highlights: • Surface treatment with Fenton was developed for flotation separation of waste plastics. • Surface treatment changes selectively the floatability of ABS surface. • Mechanism of surface treatment was studied by FT-IR and XPS analysis. • Plastic mixtures with different particle sizes and mass fractions were separated effectively. - Abstract: Surface treatment with Fenton was applied to flotation separation of acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) and polyvinylchloride (PVC). After treatment, the floatability of ABS has a dramatic decrease, while the floatability of PVC is not affected. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra were recorded to ascertain the mechanism of Fenton treatment. FT-IR and XPS analysis confirms that the introduction of oxygen-containing group occurs on the surface of ABS. The optimum conditions are molar ration (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}:Fe{sup 2+}) 10000, H{sub 2}O{sub 2} concentration 0.4 M/L, pH 5.8, treatment time 2 min and temperature 25 °C, frother concentration 15 mg/L and flotation time 3 min. Particle sizes and mixing ratios were also investigated. Plastic mixtures of ABS and PVC with different particle sizes and mixing ratios can be effectively separated. The purity of ABS and PVC are up to 100% and 99.78%, respectively; the recovery of ABS and PVC are up to 99.89% and 100%, respectively. A practical, environmentally friendly and effective reagent, namely Fenton, was originally applied to surface treatment of ABS and PVC waste plastics for flotation separation of their mixtures.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Role of surface wetting on tribological behavior for laser nanotextured steel using ionic liquid lubricants

Here, this research evaluates the effect of surface wettability on the tribological performance through ball-on-flat tribology testing. The substrate material, M2 tool steel, is laser processed and then functionalized with fluorocarbon and nitrile chemistry to achieve distinct oleophobicity and oleophilicity, respectively, but with a similar nanoscale surface texture. The baseline lubricant is poly-alpha-olefin (PAO) oil, and ionic liquids (ILs) are used as additives for this study. The interaction between the nanoscale textured steel surface and ionic liquid-based oils is investigated. A set of reciprocating wear tests are performed to investigate the tribological behavior of the tribo-system consisting of the surface-engineered, flat M2 tool steel specimen and a standard, surface-polished steel ball. Results show that the oleophobic flat surface results in a lower friction, while the oleophilic surface modification leads to a better wear protection to the flat surface. Ammonium-based IL provides the highest friction reduction, while the phosphonium-based ILs provide an improved wear protection.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Experimental Investigation of Hexcomb-Pattern Roughness Effects on Transition Onset and Turbulent Heating Augmentation at Mach 6

An experimental investigation of hexcomb-patterned surface roughness effects on boundary-layer transition and turbulent heating has been performed. Two representative entry vehicle geometries, a spherical- cap aeroshell and a sphere-cone aeroshell, were considered. Multiple cast ceramic models of each geometry were fabricated with varying roughness pattern densities and depths that simulated an ablated hexcomb-structure thermal protection system. Wind tunnel testing was performed at Mach 6 over a range of Reynolds numbers sufficient to produce laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Aeroheating and boundary-layer transition onset data were obtained using global phosphor thermography. The experimental heating data are presented herein, as are comparisons to laminar and turbulent smooth-w ll heat transfer distributions from computational flow field simulations.

Hollis, Brian R.↗

Experimental Investigation of Distributed Sand-Grain Roughness Effects on Transition Onset and Turbulent Heating at Mach 6

An experimental investigation of distributed sand-grain surface roughness effects on hypersonic boundary-layer transition and turbulent heating has been performed. Two representative entry vehicle geometries, a sphere-cone aeroshell and a spherical-cap aeroshell, were considered. Cast ceramic models of each geometry were fabricated with distributed sand-grain roughness patterns of different heights that simulated an ablated thermal protection system. Wind tunnel testing was performed at Mach 6 over a range of Reynolds numbers sufficient to produce laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Aeroheating and boundary-layer transition onset data were obtained using global phosphor thermography. The experimental heating data are presented herein, as are comparisons to laminar and turbulent smooth-wall heat transfer distributions from computational flow field simulations. The boundary-layer transition data were found to correlate with a functional representation developed in prior roughness studies, although the data scatter was greater owing to the height variability of distributed sand-grain roughness.

Brian R Hollis↗

Surfactants adsorption on crossing stripes and steps

Using coarse-grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations, we systematically study the effect of surface heterogeneity on surfactant adsorption. Here we investigate the adsorption and aggregation of surfactants on hydrophobic stripes crossing each other perpendicularly (i.e., crossing stripes) and on hydrophobic steps. The results are compared with those obtained for isolated stripes. We find that on crossing stripes of moderate stripe widths (e.g., L = 0.61LS, 1.22LS and 1.83LS, where LS is the length of one surfactant molecule) the crossing region hinders the formation of defect-free adsorbed surfactant structures. By increasing the stripe width and/or by increasing the length of one of the two perpendicularly crossing stripes (i.e., lowering the surface density of defects/intersections), the crossing region is found to have a weaker effect on the features of the adsorbed structures. Regarding surfactant adsorption on steps, our simulation results show that the self-assembled aggregates can be stretched along the step corner, and the resultant elastic deformation can hinder adsorption. This qualitative observation can facilitate a description of surfactant adsorption that takes into consideration also the deformation of the self-assembled film. As suggested by such a general model, increasing the convex angle of the step, increasing the size of the surfactant head groups, and changing other physical parameters can reduce the elastic energy penalty, and yield larger amounts of surfactants adsorbed. The results presented could assist in understanding and sometimes predicting surfactant adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces, suggest methods to formulate surfactant mixtures to control surface coverage on heterogeneous surfaces, and perhaps facilitate new methods for the fabrication of nano-structured surfaces.

Chemistry↗

Ammonium Fluoride Passivation of CdZnTeSe Sensors for Applications in Nuclear Detection and Medical Imaging

Cadmium zinc telluride selenide (Cd1−xZnxTe1−ySey or CZTS) is one of the emerging CdTe-based semiconductor materials for detecting X- and gamma-ray radiation at or near room temperature (i.e., without cryogenic cooling). Potential applications of CZTS sensors include medical imaging, X-ray detection, and gamma-ray spectroscopy. Chemical passivation of CZTS is needed to reduce the conductivity of Te-rich surfaces, which reduces the noise and improves the device performance. In this study, we focus on the effect of surface passivation of CZTS using a 10% aqueous solution of ammonium fluoride. The effects of the chemical treatment were studied on the leakage current, charge transport measured as the electron mobility-lifetime (µτ) product, and the spectral resolution measured as the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of specific peaks. After passivation, the leakage current increased and began to decrease towards pre-passivation levels. The energy resolutions were recorded for eight applied voltages between −35 V and −200 V. The results showed an average of 25% improvement in the detector’s energy resolution for the 59.6 keV gamma peak of Am-241. The electron µτ product was unchanged at 2 × 10−3 cm2/V. These results show that ammonium fluoride is effective for chemical passivation of CZTS detectors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Irreversible Catalyst Deactivation Mechanisms of PdO/γ-Al 2 O 3 Catalysts for Lean Methane Oxidation

PdO/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalysts suffer from gradual and irreversible catalyst deactivation under lean CH 4 oxidation conditions, especially in a wet feed. Here, time-resolved CO chemisorption DRIFTS measurements are conducted systematically on a series of PdO/γ-Al 2 O 3 catalysts to probe the surface reactivity of PdO nanoparticles after various in situ pretreatments. At 80 °C, CO barely adsorbs on fully oxidized PdO surfaces but interacts with coordinatively unsaturated Pd sites, causing gradual reduction of the PdO surfaces. This results in the formation of characteristic IR bands on various metallic Pd 0 sites. By monitoring and comparing the formation kinetics of these IR bands on samples before and after CH 4 oxidation, we theorize that the irreversible catalyst deactivation during CH 4 oxidation is caused by PdO surface reconstruction, in which coordinatively unsaturated Pd sites gradually become fully coordinated by oxygen. Effectively, the surface reconstruction leads to the formation of a passivation layer on the PdO nanoparticles, which hinders their ability in activating CH 4 , and hence the subsequent oxidation reaction. Temperature-programmed reduction with CO as the reductant (CO-TPR) reveals that the passivation layer formed during CH 4 oxidation is significant enough to increase the reduction temperature of PdO nanoparticles of the 3.0% PdO/γ-Al 2 O 3 samples, although such an effect is less obvious for the 0.4% PdO/γ-Al 2 O 3 samples. On the other hand, it is also discovered that the passivation layer is not completely inert. Under certain reaction conditions, with some being relatively mild, such as low-temperature CO oxidation in a net lean atmosphere and in the presence of H 2 O, the passivation layer can undergo structure change which results in regeneration or even activation of CH 4 oxidation activity of an already deactivated catalyst. Additionally, it is discovered that the fully coordinated Pd–O surface is a metastable phase under CH 4 oxidation conditions. In the presence of H 2 O and at ambient temperatures, surfaces with coordinatively unsaturated Pd sites are thermodynamically more favorable.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Surface tension propellant control for Viking 75 Orbiter

The paper describes the selection, development and qualification of the surface tension system and includes results of low-g drop tower tests of scale models, 1-g simulation tests of low-g large ullage settling and liquid withdrawal, structural qualification tests, and propellant surface tension/contact angle studies. Subscale testing and analyses were used to evaluate the ability of the system to maintain or recover the desired propellant orientation following possible disturbances during the Viking mission. This effort included drop tower tests to demonstrate that valid wick paths exist for moving any displaced propellant back over the tank outlet. Variations in surface tension resulting from aging, temperature, and lubricant contamination were studied and the effects of surface finish, referee fluid exposure, aging, and lubricant contamination on contact angle were assessed. Results of movies of typical subscale drop tower tests and full scale slosh tests are discussed.

Dowdy, M. W.↗

Hydrophobic Surfaces of Spacecraft Components Enhance the Aggregation of Microorganisms and May Lead to Higher Survival Rates on Mars

In order to minimize the forward contamination of Mars, spacecraft are assembled under clean-room conditions that often require several procedures to clean and sterilize components. Surface characteristics of spacecraft materials may contribute to microbial survival by protecting spores from sterilizing agents, including UV irradiation on the surface of Mars. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of surface characteristics of several spacecraft materials on the survival of Bacillus subtilis spores under simulated Martian conditions.

A C Schuerger↗

Heterogeneous fuel for hybrid rocket

Heterogeneous fuel compositions suitable for use in hybrid rocket engines and solid-fuel ramjet engines, The compositions include mixtures of a continuous phase, which forms a solid matrix, and a dispersed phase permanently distributed therein. The dispersed phase or the matrix vaporizes (or melts) and disperses into the gas flow much more rapidly than the other, creating depressions, voids and bumps within and on the surface of the remaining bulk material that continuously roughen its surface, This effect substantially enhances heat transfer from the combusting gas flow to the fuel surface, producing a correspondingly high burning rate, The dispersed phase may include solid particles, entrained liquid droplets, or gas-phase voids having dimensions roughly similar to the displacement scale height of the gas-flow boundary layer generated during combustion.

Stickler, David B.↗

NASA TROPOMI Aerosol Products: Algorithmic Upgrades and Preliminary Evaluation

This poster presentation describes an expanded NASA TROPOMI (Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument)aerosol algorithm (N-TROPOMAER) that takes advantage of TROPOMI observations in the ultraviolet and visible spectral regions. The availability of the Oxygen B-band observations, and the unprecedentedly high spatial resolution (3.5 km X 5.5 km) for a hyper-spectral sensor are significant improvements for aerosol properties retrieval. The heritage N-TROPOMAER aerosol algorithm uses near-ultraviolet radiances at 354 nm and 388 nm from Sentinel 5 Precursor-TROPOMI for simultaneously retrieving aerosol optical depth (AOD), single-scattering albedo (SSA), aerosol absorption optical depth (AAOD), and above-cloud aerosol optical depth(ACAOD) at 388 nm, along with the qualitative UV aerosol index (UVAI). We have expanded the inversion capability beyond the UV, to retrieve AOD at 466 nm and 680 nm. Surface reflectance effects at466 nm are accounted for using a recently developed geometry-dependent surface Lambertian-equivalent reflectivity (GLER) product, which is derived from the top-of-atmosphere radiance computed with Rayleigh scattering and surface bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for the exact viewing geometry at the sensor’s spatial resolution. Aerosol layer height (ALH) and 680 nm AOD are simultaneously derived from observations at 680 nm and at the Oxygen-B band (688 nm). Another important upgrade is the use of time averaged total column carbon monoxide from the NASA GEOS-CF(Global Earth Observing System Composition Forecast) as a tracer of carbonaceous aerosols.

TROPOMI↗

Optimizing Aluminum Bonding: Exploring Surface Roughness and Contact Angle Effects through Plasma and Acid Etching Contrasts

The use of adhesives to replace traditional techniques like welding and riveting has been on the rise in various industries as increasingly complex geometries and situations for bonding is required. It’s well known in the scientific community that an adhesive bond is only as efficient as the surface preparation used beforehand. Plasma treatments have been shown to gently clean the surface by only removing the top-most layer from the adherend and “charging” the surface instead of berating it. Whereas chemical treatments “etch” the surface in hopes of increasing surface area by increasing surface roughness. This method can be difficult to control quantitatively and can generate waste leading to serious environmental concerns. This study aims to address the encountered differences between plasma treatments and acid etching on aluminum substrates for adhesive bonding. Treating the surface of adherends plays a crucial role in promoting a good bond between adhesive and adherend. In this study, the effects of plasma and acid treatments are categorized using surface roughness measurements as well as contact angle which have been shown to correlate to mechanical strength. When evaluating different surface treatments, it is notable to mention that not only surface roughness and contact angle play a role in determining which method is most effective but also the consequences of the treatment itself. It was found that although chemical etching was the most effective in increasing roughness and decreasing contact angle, it generates a large amount of waste and is not sustainable compared to plasma work which uses a renewable process. The results from this work provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between surface treatments and surface roughness/contact angle and how this relates to a stronger adhesive bond.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Optimizing Aluminum Bonding: Exploring Surface Roughness and Contact Angle Effects through Plasma and Acid Etching Contrasts.

The use of adhesives to replace traditional techniques like welding and riveting has been on the rise in various industries as increasingly complex geometries and situations for bonding is required. It’s well known in the scientific community that an adhesive bond is only as efficient as the surface preparation used beforehand. Plasma treatments have been shown to gently clean the surface by only removing the top-most layer from the adherend and “charging” the surface instead of berating it. Whereas chemical treatments “etch” the surface in hopes of increasing surface area by increasing surface roughness. This method can be difficult to control quantitatively and can generate waste leading to serious environmental concerns. This study aims to address the encountered differences between plasma treatments and acid etching on aluminum substrates for adhesive bonding. Treating the surface of adherends plays a crucial role in promoting a good bond between adhesive and adherend. In this study, the effects of plasma and acid treatments are categorized using surface roughness measurements as well as contact angle which have been shown to correlate to mechanical strength. When evaluating different surface treatments, it is notable to mention that not only surface roughness and contact angle play a role in determining which method is most effective but also the consequences of the treatment itself. It was found that although chemical etching was the most effective in increasing roughness and decreasing contact angle, it generates a large amount of waste and is not sustainable compared to plasma work which uses a renewable process. The results from this work provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between surface treatments and surface roughness/contact angle and how this relates to a stronger adhesive bond

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗