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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 19 records

Preliminary studies on NiAl/Nb2Be17 reaction and effectiveness of BeO as an interfacial reaction barrier

The interfacial reaction between NiAl and Nb2Be17 (used as a reinforcement for the alloy) was studied by measuring diffusion bonding of NiAl and Nb2Be17 plates in a hot press under a vacuum of 10 exp -5 atm. It was found that, after 2 hrs of hot pressing at 1373 K, the reaction between NiAl and Nb2Be17 was extensive. A 40 to 50-micron-thick reaction zone consisted of three distinct layers at the NiAl/Nb2Be17 interface: layer A next to Nb2Be17, layer B in the middle, and layer C next to NiAl. Results of analysis of the reaction layers using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were inconclusive because of the inabiliaty of EDS to detect Be.

Misra, Ajay K.↗

Lattice doping regulated interfacial reactions in cathode for enhanced cycling stability

Abstract Interfacial reactions between electrode and electrolyte are critical, either beneficial or detrimental, for the performance of rechargeable batteries. The general approaches of controlling interfacial reactions are either applying a coating layer on cathode or modifying the electrolyte chemistry. Here we demonstrate an approach of modification of interfacial reactions through dilute lattice doping for enhanced battery properties. Using atomic level imaging, spectroscopic analysis and density functional theory calculation, we reveal aluminum dopants in lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide are partially dissolved in the bulk lattice with a tendency of enrichment near the primary particle surface and partially exist as aluminum oxide nano-islands that are epitaxially dressed on the primary particle surface. The aluminum concentrated surface lowers transition metal redox energy level and consequently promotes the formation of a stable cathode-electrolyte interphase. The present observations demonstrate a general principle as how the trace dopants modify the solid-liquid interfacial reactions for enhanced performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Deciphering atomistic mechanisms of the gas-solid interfacial reaction during alloy oxidation

Gas-solid interfacial reaction is critical to many technological applications from heterogeneous catalysis to stress corrosion cracking. A prominent question that remains unclear is how gas and solid interact beyond chemisorption to form a stable interphase for bridging subsequent gas-solid reactions. Here, we report real-time atomic-scale observations of Ni-Al alloy oxidation reaction from initial surface adsorption to interfacial reaction into the bulk. We found distinct atomistic mechanisms for oxide growth in O 2 and H 2 O vapor, featuring a “step-edge” mechanism with severe interfacial strain in O 2 , and a “subsurface” one in H 2 O. Ab initio density functional theory simulations rationalize the H 2 O dissociation to favor the formation of a disordered oxide, which promotes ion diffusion to the oxide-metal interface and leads to an eased interfacial strain, therefore enhancing inward oxidation. Our findings depict a complete pathway for the Ni-Al surface oxidation reaction and delineate the delicate coupling of chemomechanical effect on gas-solid interactions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The nature and suppression strategies of interfacial reactions in all-solid-state batteries

Solid-state Li batteries are promising energy storage devices owing to their high safety and high theoretical energy density. However, the serious interfacial reaction between solid state electrolytes and cathodes deteriorates the battery performance, impeding the realization of long-term cyclability. The buried nature of the interphase layer presents a significant challenge in achieving a comprehensive understanding of the underlying interfacial reaction mechanisms. Herein, we systematically explore the interfacial reaction evolutions and interphase compositions and electronic properties between the popular oxide cathodes and sulfide solid electrolytes (SSEs). This includes analysis of the chemical and electrochemical reactions between cathodes/coatings and SSEs, as well as the electrochemical self-decomposition of SSEs by thermodynamic phase equilibrium analysis. Herein, we disclose that the driving force of the electrochemical reaction at the chemical potential of μ Li is much stronger than that of the chemical reaction, which dominates the interfacial reaction. Preventing the formation of an electronically conductive interphase is crucial in inhibiting the continuous interfacial degradation during long-term cycling, which can be achieved through the optimized combination of cathodes and SSEs, as well as the introduction of functional coatings between them. Based on these findings, the percentage of molar fraction ( f ) of electronically conductive species in the formed interphase is proposed as a key factor for indicating the interfacial stability for the first time. Furthermore, we propose a specific high-throughput screening scheme to filter the functional coating materials by comprehensively evaluating their functionality. The tiered screening identifies 48 coating materials with optimal properties. The work highlights the significant roles of rational coupling of the cathodes and SSEs, and optimizing interfacial coating materials for solid-state batteries. It opens new avenues for engineering an interphase with improved interfacial compatibility to realize long-term cyclability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Microscopic aspects of interfacial reactions in diffusion bonding processes

Microscopic aspects of interfacial reactions are discussed, such as interdiffusion, formation of intermetallic phases, generation and annihilation of lattice defects, effect of temperature, grain size, etc., which normally occur in diffusion bonding processes. Relationships between properties and microstructure in thin film couples are examined utilizing a unique combination of contact resistance measurements and characterization by transmission electron microscopy.

Shearer, M. P.↗

A Study on the Interfacial Reaction Between Liquid Iron and MgO-Based Refractories Containing TiO{sub 2}

The interfacial reactions between liquid iron and MgO-based refractories were investigated based on the TiO{sub 2} concentration values. Substrates comprising MgO, MgO-TiO{sub 2} (MT), MgO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (MA), and MgO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, at loadings of 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 wt pct TiO{sub 2} (MAT3-15), were reacted with liquid iron at 1823 K by using the sessile drop technique. Microscopic analysis by SEM/EDX and the associated thermochemical calculations by Factsage 7.0™ confirmed the reaction mechanisms of different refractory materials. MgO and MT showed higher resistance against liquid iron penetration compared with MA and MAT3-15, which was attributed to the formation of a magnesiowustite (MO (M = Fe, Mg)) layer formed at the interfaces. Increasing the levels of TiO{sub 2} up to 6 wt pct contributed to the denser microstructure of MA. However, the contact angle was lowest for 9 wt pct of TiO{sub 2} and then gradually increased up to 15 wt pct. Chemical reactions generating a liquid slag phase contributed to the fluctuations in contact angle with respect to TiO{sub 2}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interfacial Reaction Between High-Al Steel and CaO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-Based Mold Fluxes with Different CaO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} Ratios at 1773 K (1500 °C)

The reaction between high-Al steel and CaO-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-based mold fluxes with different CaO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ratios was investigated at 1773 K (1500 °C). The increase of CaO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ratio from 1 to 3 accelerated the accumulation of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} in the flux and reduction of Na{sub 2}O, but had no significant effect on the reduction of SiO{sub 2} and B{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The microstructure of flux-steel interfaces showed that emulsification occurred in the reaction between steel and mold flux. The emulsification was affected by the precipitation of crystals in the flux after the change of flux composition due to the interfacial reaction.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Interfacial Reactions and Performance of Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 -Stabilized Li–Sulfur Hybrid Cell

Herein, we report on the characterization of a Li–S hybrid cell containing a garnet solid electrolyte (Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 , LLZO) and conventional liquid electrolyte. While the liquid electrolyte provided ionically conductive pathways throughout the porous cathode, the LLZO acted as a physical barrier to protect the Li metal anode and prevent polysulfide shuttling during battery operation. This hybrid cell exhibited an initial capacity of 1000 mAh/g(S) and high Coulombic efficiency (>99%). The interface between the liquid electrolyte and LLZO was studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These results indicate that a spontaneous interfacial reaction layer formed between the LLZO and liquid electrolyte. XPS depth profiling experiments indicate that this layer consisted of Li-enriched phases near the surface (e.g., Li 2 CO 3 ) and intermediate Li–La–Zr oxides in subsurface regions. The reaction layer extended well beyond the LLZO surface, and bulk pristine LLZO was not observed even at the deepest sputtering depths used in this study (~90 nm). Overall, these results highlight that developing stable electrode/electrolyte interfaces is critical for solid-state batteries and their hybrids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Droplet Imbibition Enables Nonequilibrium Interfacial Reactions in Charged Microdroplets

A droplet imbibition experiment is proposed to study interfacial effects, which appears to be the main factor influencing reaction acceleration in charged microdroplets produced by electrospray ionization (ESI). One reagent is deposited onto the surface of rapidly moving microdroplets containing the second reagent to be reacted. In this manner, reactions are hindered from reaching equilibrium and monitored in real time by mass spectrometry. We demonstrated this phenomenon using Katritzky chemistry, which is known to proceed either by the solvent-stabilized 2H-pyran intermediate or via the surface-active pseudobase intermediate. Additionally, comparisons with reactions performed using ESI show obvious surface effects in favor of the droplet imbibition experiment. By keeping reactant mole ratio constant, it was demonstrated that similar interfacial effects observed in the droplet imbibition experiment can be reached by allowing ESI microdroplets containing premixed reagents to traverse a distance >16 mm. At such spray distance, molecular diffusion and droplet lifetime become comparable allowing reactants to be enriched at droplet surface. Reactions were also conducted in rapid mixing, theta capillary-based droplets, which showed markedly reduced yields compared with the interfacial droplet imbibition experiment.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Metal-semiconductor interfacial reactions - Ni/Si system

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and channeling measurements with MeV He-4(+) ions have been used to probe the structure of the interface in the Ni/Si system. It is found that reactions occur where Ni is deposited on Si at 10 to the -10th torr: Si atoms are displaced from lattice sites, the Ni atoms are in an Si-rich environment, and the Ni/Si interface is graded in composition. Composition gradients are present at both interfaces in the Si/Ni2/Si/Ni system. For the Ni-Si system, cooling the substrate to 100 K slows down the reaction rate. The temperature dependence of the interfacial reactivity indicates the kinetic nature of metal-semiconductor interfaces.

Cheung, N. W.↗

Interfacial reaction during friction stir assisted scribe welding of immiscible Fe and Mg alloy system

We report on interfacial characteristics and chemistry of bonded Mg-Fe interfaces welded using friction stir assisted scribe technique (FaST). Two pairs of dissimilar joints: (AZ31-DP590) and (Pure Mg-DP590) were studied to shed light on joining mechanisms responsible for bonding of “immiscible” pairs of Mg and Fe. We present first direct experimental evidence of presence of oxide layer, Al segregation by atom probe tomography and nano steel grains close to interface by transmission electron microscopy study.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Probing Interfacial Reaction Pathways in Atomic Layer Deposition on Sulfide Superionic Conductors

Sulfide superionic conductors (e.g., argyrodite Li 6 PS 5 Cl, LPSCl) are extremely promising for all solid-state batteries, but poor atmospheric stability and high interfacial reactivity limit widespread adoption. Coating LPSCl powders with ultrathin coatings using atomic layer deposition (ALD) mitigates these problems, protecting against atmospheric degradation and reducing reactivity with Li metal, yielding more stable cycling. Despite significant promise, the ALD mechanism is unknown, hampering the development of new coating chemistries. In this study, we elucidate the mechanism for Al 2 O 3 ALD on LPSCl using trimethyl aluminum (TMA) and H 2 O by combining in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ex situ solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, UV Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. We determine that ALD Al 2 O 3 nucleates promptly via TMA reaction with native —OH, —SH, and PS 3 -OH groups to form transient C–Al–O(S) species that are rapidly hydrolyzed during the subsequent H 2 O exposure. This reversible transformation maintains surface nucleophilicity and prevents sulfide decomposition. The resulting layer-by-layer growth leads to highly conformal Al 2 O 3 coatings on LPSCl that are readily scalable to ≥ 50 g quantities using a rotating drum fixture. This detailed understanding of ALD surface reactions provides critical insights guiding the selection of future ALD chemistries with improved performance.

atomic layer deposition↗

Interfacial reactions of Cu( II ) adsorption and hydrolysis driven by nano-scale confinement

Spatial confinement is prevalent in sedimentary rocks and can lead to changes in the chemical behavior at mineral–water interfaces. This includes both deviations in the physico-chemical properties of confined water, when compared to the bulk liquid phase, and subsequent alterations in adsorption chemistry of ions inside nano-scale mineral pores. In this paper we document contrasting adsorption mechanisms and differences in local coordination environments of copper (Cu 2+ ), depending on whether the ion is adsorbed on non-porous silica surfaces, versus inside 8 nm and 4 nm pores in silica. X-ray absorption spectroscopy, flow micro-calorimetry, and batch adsorption methods together with molecular modeling are used to thoroughly describe the dependence of these adsorption processes on the pore size. We show that confinement within silica pores promotes Cu–Cu interactions and increases the formation of Cu–Cu polynuclear surface complexes. We also demonstrate that the mechanism of Cu 2+ adsorption on non-porous versus porous silica is vastly different. The adsorption of Cu 2+ on non-porous silica is an endothermic process, whereby Cu 2+ undergoes dehydration prior to surface complexation. In contrast, adsorption within nano-scale pores is preceded by only partial dehydration, and significant formation of Cu–Cu polynuclear complexes, which leads to an overall exothermic signal. Interfacial confinement leads to dramatic changes in the adsorption mechanism and speciation, which in turn controls the fate and transport of chemical species in natural environments.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

From Fundamental Interfacial Reaction Kinetics to Macroscopic Current–Voltage Characteristics: Case Study of Solid Acid Fuel Cell Limitations and Possibilities

The unique properties of solid acid electrolytes, in particular CsH 2 PO 4 , are in many ways ideal for fuel cell operation. However, the technology is constrained by high cathode overpotentials. Here a simplified cathode geometry is employed to obtain the fundamental electrochemical parameters (exchange current density and charge transfer coefficient) describing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the CsH 2 PO 4 -Pt-gas interface. The parameters are incorporated into a 1D model of the voltage–current characteristics of realistic SAFC cathodes, which reproduced the measured polarization behavior of such cathodes without recourse to fitting adjustable parameters. Following this validation, the model is utilized to evaluate the impact of changes to cathode properties, microstructure, and operating conditions. Of these, the charge transfer coefficient, measured to have a value of ≈0.6 for ORR on Pt in the SAFC cathode environment, is found to have the greatest impact on power output. Nevertheless, even without material modifications, a combination of microstructural and operational modifications are identified with projected performance metrics meeting Department of Energy targets (0.8 V at 300 mA cm –2 , and peak power density of 1 W cm –2 ), albeit at high Pt loadings. However, the analysis indicates that truly meaningful advances will likely necessitate the discovery of alternative ORR catalysts.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Construction of MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure with fast interfacial reaction kinetics for ultrafast sodium storage

Constructing heterostructure is a valid method to reinforcing sodium storage performance of transition metal chalcogenides materials. Herein, a simple, safe and controllable one step hydrothermal method is proposed to synthesize MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure. Due to the difference in band gaps and work functions of MoS 2 and NiS 2 , the charges are redistributed at the MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterointerfaces, thereby accelerating the migration of electrons and Na + . The heterointerfaces provide extra active sites for storing Na + , thus increasing the sodium storage capacity of the heterostructure. Furthermore, the distinct redox potentials of NiS 2 and MoS 2 promote the structural stability of MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure during the electrochemical reaction processes. Consequently, the obtained MoS 2 /NiS 2 heterostructure exhibits superior rate properties (339.4 mAh g –1 at 10 A g –1 ) and ultra-stable cycling stability (480.5 mAh g –1 after 350 cycles at 1 A g –1 ). Finally, this paper presents a valid strategy for creating heterostructure anodes with excellent sodium storage properties.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Atomistic Origins of Reversible Noncatalytic Gas–Solid Interfacial Reactions

Noncatalytic gas-solid reactions are a large group of heterogeneous reactions that are usually assumed to occur irreversibly because of the strong driving force to favor the forward direction toward the product formation. Using the example of Ni oxidation into NiO with CO 2 , herein we demonstrate the existence of the reverse element that results in the NiO reduction from the countering effect of the gaseous product of CO. Using in-situ electron microscopy observations and atomistic modeling, we show that the oxidation process occurs via preferential CO 2 adsorption along step edges that results in step-flow growth of NiO layers, and the presence of Ni atoms on the flat NiO surface promotes the nucleation of NiO layers. Simultaneously, the NiO reduction happens via preferential step-edge adsorption of CO that leads to the receding motion of atomic steps, and the presence of Ni vacancies in the NiO surface facilitates the CO adsorption induced surface pitting. Based on the in-situ TEM observations, temperature and CO 2 pressure effect maps are constructed to illustrate the spatiotemporal dynamics of the competing NiO redox reactions. We report, these results demonstrate the rich gas-solid surface reaction dynamics induced by the co-existing forward and reverse reaction elements and have practical applicability in manipulating gas-solid reactions via controlling the gas environment or atomic structure of the solid surface to steer the reaction toward the desired direction.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗