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Results for “ALKALI METALS”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Process to separate alkali metal salts from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons

A process to facilitate gravimetric separation of alkali metal salts, such as alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides, from alkali metal reacted hydrocarbons. The disclosed process is part of a method of upgrading a hydrocarbon feedstock by removing heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals from the hydrocarbon feedstock composition. This method reacts the oil feedstock with an alkali metal and an upgradant hydrocarbon. The alkali metal reacts with a portion of the heteroatoms and/or one or more heavy metals to form an inorganic phase containing alkali metal salts and reduced heavy metals, and an upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock. The inorganic phase may be gravimetrically separated from the upgraded hydrocarbon feedstock after mixing at a temperature between about 350.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. for a time period between about 15 minutes and 2 hours.

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

Alkali metal and alkali earth metal gadolinium halide scintillators

The present invention provides for a composition comprising an inorganic scintillator comprising a gadolinium halide, optionally cerium-doped, having the formula A.sub.nGdX.sub.m:Ce; wherein A is nothing, an alkali metal, such as Li or Na, or an alkali earth metal, such as Ba; X is F, Br, Cl, or I; n is an integer from 1 to 2; m is an integer from 4 to 7; and the molar percent of cerium is 0% to 100%. The gadolinium halides or alkali earth metal gadolinium halides are scintillators and produce a bright luminescence upon irradiation by a suitable radiation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Process for recovering alkali metals and sulfur from alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides

Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.

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

Process for recovering alkali metals and sulfur from alkali metal sulfides and polysulfides

Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali monosulfide and polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali monosulfide, an alkali polysulfide, or a mixture thereof and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte includes molten alkali metal. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfide and polysulfide in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Liquid sulfur separates from the anolyte solution and may be recovered. The electrolytic cell is operated at a temperature where the formed alkali metal and sulfur are molten.

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

Characterization of the Alkali Metal Oxalates (MC2O4-) and their formation by CO2 reduction via the Alkali Metal Carbonites (MCO2-)

The reduction of carbon dioxide to oxalate has been studied by experimental Collisionally Induced Dissociation (CID) and vibrational characterization of the alkali metal oxalates, supplemented by theoretical electronic structure calculations. The critical step in the reductive process is the coordination of the heterocumulene CO2 to an alkali metal anion, forming a metal carbonite MCO2 ablt to subsequently add a second CO2 molecule. While the energetic demand for these reactions is generally low, we find that the degree of activation of CO2 in terms of charge transfer and transition state energies is the highest for lithium and systematically decreases down the group (M - Li - Cs).

Jestila, Joakim S.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Alkali metal yttrium neo -pentoxide double alkoxide precursors to alkali metal yttrium oxide nanomaterials

In this study, a series of alkali metal yttrium neo-pentoxide ([AY(ONep) 4 ]) compounds were developed as precursors to alkali yttrium oxide (AYO 2 ) nanomaterials. The reaction of yttrium amide ([Y(NR 2 ) 3 ] where R=Si(CH 3 ) 3 ) with four equivalents of H-ONep followed by addition of [A(NR 2 )] (A=Li, Na, K) or A o (A o =Rb, Cs) led to the formation of a complex series of A n Y(ONep) 3+n species, crystallographically identified as [Y 2 Li 3 (μ 3 -ONep)(μ 3 -HONep)(μ-ONep) 5 (ONep) 3 (HONep) 2 ] (1), [YNa 2 (μ 3 -ONep) 4 (ONep)] 2 (2), {[Y 2 K 3 (μ 3 -ONep) 3 (μ-ONep) 4 (ONep) 2 (ηξ-tol) 2 ][Y 4 K 2 (μ 4 -O)(μ 3 -ONep) 8 (ONep) 4 ]•η x -tol]} (3), [Y 4 K 2 (μ 4 -O)(μ 3 -ONep) 8 (ONep) 4 ] (3a), [Y 2 Rb 3 (μ 4 -ONep) 3 (μ-ONep) 6 ] (4), and [Y 2 Cs 4 (μ 6 -O)(μ 3 -ONep) 6 (μ 3 -HONep) 2 (ONep) 2 (η x -tol) 4 ]•tol (5). Compounds 1–5 were investigated as single source precursors to AYOx nanomaterials following solvothermal routes (pyridine, 185 °C for 24h). The final products after thermal processing were found by powder X-ray diffraction experiments to be Y 2 O 3 with variable sized particles based on transmission electron diffraction. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies indicated that the heavier alkali metal species were present in the isolated nanomaterials.

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

Solvent- and catalyst-free mechanochemical synthesis of alkali metal monohydrides

Alkali metal monohydrides, AH (A = Li–Cs) have been synthesized in quantitative yields at room temperature by reactive milling of alkali metals in the presence of hydrogen gas at 200 bar or less. The mechanochemical approach reported here eliminates problems associated with the malleability of alkali metals — especially Li, Na, and K — and promotes effective solid–gas reactions, ensuring their completion. This is achieved by incorporating a certain volume fraction of the corresponding hydride powder as a process control agent, which allows continuous and efficient milling primarily by coating the surface of metal particles, effectively blocking cold welding. Formation of high-purity crystalline monohydrides has been confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and volumetric analyses of reactively desorbed H 2 from as-milled samples. The proposed synthesis method is scalable and particularly effective for extremely air-sensitive materials, such as alkali and alkaline earth metal hydrides. Furthermore, the technique may also be favorable for production in continuous reactors operating at room temperature, thereby reducing the total processing time, energy consumption and, hence, the cost of production of these hydrides or their derivatives and composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Half metallic ferromagnetism in alkali metal nitrides MN (M = Rb, Cs): A first principles study

The structural, electronic and elastic properties of two alkali metal nitrides (MN: M= Rb, Cs) are investigated by the first principles calculations based on density functional theory using the Vienna ab-initio simulation package. At ambient pressure the two nitrides are stable in ferromagnetic state with CsCl structure. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the available results. The electronic structure reveals that these materials are half metallic in nature. A pressure-induced structural phase transition from CsCl to ZB phase is observed in RbN and CsN.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ionic Conductive and Highly-Stable Interface for Alkali Metal Anodes

Alkali metals are regarded as the most promising candidates for advanced anode for the next-generation batteries due to their high specific capacity, low electrochemical potential, and lightweight. However, critical problems of the alkali metal anodes, especially dendrite formation and interface stabilization, remain challenging to overcome. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a key factor affecting Li and Na deposition behavior and electrochemical performances. Herein, a facile and universal approach is successfully developed to fabricate ionic conductive interfaces for Li and Na metal anodes by modified atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this process, the Li metal (or Na metal) plays the role of Li (or Na) source without any additional Li (or Na) precursor during ALD. Moreover, the key questions about the influence of ALD deposition temperature on the compositions and structure of the coatings are addressed. The optimized ionic conductive coatings have significantly improved the electrochemical performances. In addition, the electrochemical phase-field model is performed to prove that the ionic conductive coating is very effective in promoting uniform electrodeposition. Further, this approach is universal and can be potentially applied to other different metal anodes. At the same time, it can be extended to other types of coatings or other deposition techniques.

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

Electronic and structural ground state of heavy alkali metals at high pressure

Here, alkali metals display unexpected properties at high pressure, including emergence of low symmetry crystal structures, that appear to occur due to enhanced electronic correlations among the otherwise nearly-free conduction electrons. We investigate the high pressure electronic and structural ground state of K, Rb, and Cs using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction measurements together with ab initio theoretical calculations. The sequence of phase transitions under pressure observed at low temperature is similar in all three heavy alkalis except for the absence of the oC 84 phase in Cs. Both the experimental and theoretical results point to pressure-enhanced localization of the valence electrons characterized by pseudo-gap formation near the Fermi level and strong spd hybridization. Although the crystal structures predicted to host magnetic order in K are not observed, the localization process appears to drive these alkalis closer to a strongly correlated electron state.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Ternary alkali-metal and transition metal or metalloid acetylides as alkali-metal intercalation electrodes for batteries

Novel intercalation electrode materials including ternary acetylides of chemical formula: A.sub.nMC.sub.2 where A is alkali or alkaline-earth element; M is transition metal or metalloid element; C.sub.2 is reference to the acetylide ion; n is an integer that is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 when A is alkali element and 0, 1, or 2 when A is alkaline-earth element. The alkali elements are Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs) and Francium (Fr). The alkaline-earth elements are Berilium (Be), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), Barium (Ba), and Radium (Ra). M is a transition metal that is any element in groups 3 through 12 inclusive on the Periodic Table of Elements (elements 21 (Sc) to element 30 (Zn)). In another exemplary embodiment, M is a metalloid element.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Methods of recovering alkali metals

Approaches for alkali metal extraction, sequestration and recovery are described. For example, a method of recovering alkali metals includes providing a CST or CST-like (e.g., small pore zeolite) material. The alkali metal species is scavenged from the liquid mixture by the CST or CST-like material. The alkali metal species is extracted from the CST or CST-like material.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Nature of Decahydro-closo-decaborate Anion Reorientations in an Ordered Alkali-Metal Salt: Rb 2 B 10 H 10

The ordered monoclinic phase of the alkali-metal decahydro-closo-decaborate salt Rb 2 B 10 H 10 was found to be stable from about 250 K all the way up to an order-disorder phase transition temperature of ~762 K. The broad temperature range for this phase allowed for a detailed quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study of the protypical B 10 H 10 2- anion reorientational dynamics. The QENS and NMR combined results are consistent with an anion reorientational mechanism comprised of two types of rotational jumps expected from the anion geometry and lattice structure, namely, more rapid 90 degree jumps around the anion C 4 symmetry axis (e.g., with correlation frequencies of ~2.6 x 10 10 s -1 at 530 K) combined with order of magnitude slower orthogonal 180 degree reorientational flips (e.g., ~3.1 x 10 9 s -1 at 530 K) resulting in an exchange of the apical H (and apical B) positions. Each latter flip requires a concomitant 45 degree twist around the C 4 symmetry axis to preserve the ordered Rb 2 B 10 H 10 monoclinic structural symmetry. This result is consistent with previous NMR data for ordered monoclinic Na 2 B 10 H 10 , which also pointed to two types of anion reorientational motions. The QENS-derived reorientational activation energies are 197(2) and 288(3) meV for the C 4 fourfold jumps and apical exchanges, respectively, between 400 and 680 K. Below this temperature range, NMR (and QENS) both indicate a shift to significantly larger reorientational barriers, for example, 485(8) meV for the apical exchanges. Finally, subambient diffraction measurements identify a subtle change in the Rb 2 B 10 H 10 structure from monoclinic to triclinic symmetry as the temperature is decreased from around 250 to 210 K.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Water Structure and Diffusion in a 1 nm Diameter Silica Nanopore as a Function of Surface Charge and Alkali Metal Counterion Identity

Water confined in nanopores-particularly in pores narrower than 2 nm-displays distinct physicochemical properties that remain incompletely examined despite their importance in nanofluidics, molecular biology, geology, and materials sciences. In this study, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the coordination structure and mobility of water and alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Cs) inside a 1 nm diameter cylindrical silica nanopore as a function of surface charge density, a model system particularly relevant to the alteration kinetics of silicate glasses and minerals in geologic formations. We find that the presence of a negative surface charge and adsorbed counterions within the pore strongly impacts water structure and dynamics. In particular, it significantly orients water O-H bonds toward the surface and slows water diffusion by almost 1 order of magnitude. Ion crowding in the charged nanopore enhances the tendency of counterions to coordinate closely with the silica surface, which moderates the impact of ions on water dynamics. Co-ions are strongly excluded from the nanopore at all surface charges, suggesting that the 1 nm diameter cylindrical silica nanopores likely exhibit nearly ideal semipermeable membrane transport properties.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗