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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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Copper-containing ceramic precursor synthesis: Solid-state transformations and materials technology

Three copper systems with relevance to materials technology are discussed. In the first, a CuS precursor, Cu4S1O (4-methylpyridine)(sub 4)- (4-MePy), was prepared by three routes: reaction of Cu2S, reaction of CuBr-SMe2, and oxidation of copper powder with excess sulfur in 4-methylpyridine by sulfur. In the second, copper powder was found to react with excess thiourea (H2NC(S)NH2) in 4-methylpyridine to produce thiocyanate (NCS(-)) complexes. Three isolated and characterized compounds are: Cu(NCS)(4-MePy)(sub 2), a polymer, (4-MePy-H)(Cu(NCS)(sub 3)(4-MePy)(sub 2)), a salt, and t-Cu(NCS)(sub 2)(4-MePy)(sub 4). Finally, an attempt to produce a mixed-metal sulfide precursor of Cu and Ga in N-methylimidazole (N-MeIm) resulted in the synthesis of a Cu-containing polymer, Cu(SO4)(N-MeIm). The structures are presented; the chemistry will be briefly discussed in the context of preparation and processing of copper-containing materials for aerospace applications.

Hepp, Aloysius F.↗

Solid-state combustion synthesis of ceramics and alloys in reduced gravity

Possible microgravity effects are explored in the combustion synthesis of ceramics and alloys from their constituent elements. Molten intermediates are typically present during the combustion process, thereby offering the chance for natural convection to take place. Numerical simulations suggest that the combustion front in concert with gravity may act as a partial zone-refinement mechanism which is attempting to sweep out porosity in the sample. Contrary to suggestions by dimensional analysis, no effects on the combustion rate are seen. An analytical model of the combustion velocity as a function of the gravitational field and the spreading rate of molten material gives the correct order of magnitude of the gravity effect as measured by centrifuge experiments.

Valone, S. M.↗

RNA Crystallization

RNA molecules may be crystallized using variations of the methods developed for protein crystallography. As the technology has become available to syntheisize and purify RNA molecules in the quantities and with the quality that is required for crystallography, the field of RNA structure has exploded. The first consideration when crystallizing an RNA is the sequence, which may be varied in a rational way to enhance crystallizability or prevent formation of alternate structures. Once a sequence has been designed, the RNA may be synthesized chemically by solid-state synthesis, or it may be produced enzymatically using RNA polymerase and an appropriate DNA template. Purification of milligram quantities of RNA can be accomplished by HPLC or gel electrophoresis. As with proteins, crystallization of RNA is usually accomplished by vapor diffusion techniques. There are several considerations that are either unique to RNA crystallization or more important for RNA crystallization. Techniques for design, synthesis, purification, and crystallization of RNAs will be reviewed here.

Golden, Barbara L.↗

Preparation and Single-Crystal X-Ray Structures of Four Related Mixed-Ligand 4-Methylpyridine Indium Halide Complexes

We describe the structures of four related indium complexes obtained during synthesis of solid-state materials precursors. Indium adducts of halides and 4-methylpyridine, InX3(pic)3 (X = Cl, Br; pic = 4-methylpyridine) consist of octahedral molecules with meridional (mer) geometry. Crystals of mer-InCl3(pic)3 (1) are triclinic, space group P1(bar) (No. 2), with a = 9.3240(3), b = 13.9580(6), c = 16.7268 (7) A, alpha = 84.323(2), beta = 80.938(2), gamma = 78.274(3)Z = 4, R = 0.035 for 8820 unique reflections. Crystals of mer-InBr3(pic)3 (2) are monoclinic, space group P21/n (No. 14), with a = 15.010(2), b = 19.938(2), c = 16.593(3), beta = 116.44(1)Z = 8, R = 0.053 for 4174 unique reflections. The synthesis and structures of related compounds with phenylsulfide (chloride) (3) and a dimeric complex with bridging hydroxide (bromide) (4) coordination is also described. Crystals of trans-In(SC6H5)Cl2(pic)3 (3) are monoclinic, space group P21/n (No. 14), with a = 9.5265(2), b = 17.8729(6), c = 13.8296(4), beta = 99.7640(15)Z = 4, R = 0.048 for 5511 unique reflections. Crystals of [In(mu-OH)Br2(pic)22 (4) are tetragonal, space group = I41cd (No. 110) with a = 19.8560(4), b = 19.8560(4), c = 25.9528(6), Z = 8, R = 0.039 for 5982 unique reflections.

Hepp, Aloysius F.↗

Synthesis, Structure, Characterization, and Decomposition of Nickel Dithiocarbamates: Effect of Precursor Structure and Processing Conditions on Solid-State Products

Single-crystal X-ray structures of four nickel dithiocarbamate complexes, the homoleptic mixed-organic bis-dithiocarbamates Ni[S2CN(isopropyl)(benzyl)]2, Ni[S2CN(ethyl)(n-butyl)]2, and Ni[S2CN(phenyl)(benzyl)]2, as well as the heteroleptic mixed-ligand complex NiCl[P(phenyl)3][(S2CN(phenyl)(benzyl)], were determined. Synthetic, spectroscopic, structural, thermal, and sulfide materials studies are discussed in light of prior literature. The spectroscopic results are routine. A slightly distorted square-planar nickel coordination environment was observed for all four complexes. The organic residues adopt conformations to minimize steric interactions. Steric effects also may determine puckering, if any, about the nickel and nitrogen atoms, both of which are planar or nearly so. A trans-influence affects the Ni-S bond distances. Nitrogen atoms interact with the CS2 carbons with a bond order of about 1.5, and the other substituents on nitrogen display transoid conformations. There are no strong intermolecular interactions, consistent with prior observations of the volatility of nickel dithiocarbamate complexes. Thermogravimetric analysis of the homoleptic species under inert atmosphere is consistent with production of 1:1 nickel sulfide phases. Thermolysis of nickel dithiocarbamates under flowing nitrogen produced hexagonal or -NiS as the major phase; thermolysis under flowing forming gas produced millerite (-NiS) at 300 C, godlevskite (Ni9S8) at 325 and 350 C, and heazlewoodite (Ni3S2) at 400 and 450 C. Failure to exclude oxygen results in production of nickel oxide. Nickel sulfide phases produced seem to be primarily influenced by processing conditions, in agreement with prior literature. Nickel dithiocarbamate complexes demonstrate significant promise to serve as single-source precursors to nickel sulfides, a quite interesting family of materials with numerous potential applications.

microscopy↗

Photolysis of Pure Solid O3 and O2 Films at 193nm

We studied quantitatively the photochemistry of solid O3 and O2 films at 193 nm and 22 K with infrared spectroscopy and microgravimetry. Photolysis of pure ozone destroyed O3, but a small amount of ozone remained in the film at high fluence. Photolysis of pure O2 produced O3 in an amount that increased with photon fluence to a stationary level. For both O2 and O3 films, the O3:O2 ratio at large fluences is ?0.07, about two orders of magnitude larger than those obtained in gas phase photolysis. This enhancement is attributed to the increased photodissociation of O2 due to photoabsorption by O2 dimers, a process significant at solid-state densities. We obtain initial quantum yield for ozone synthesis from solid oxygen, phi (O3) = 0.24 0.06, and quantum yields for destruction of O3 and O2 in their parent solids, phi(-O3) = 1.0 0.2 and phi(-O2) = 0.36 0.1. Combined with known photoabsorption cross sections, we estimate probabilities for geminate recombination of 0.5 0.1 for O3 fragments and 0.88 0.03 for oxygen atoms from O2 dissociation. Using a single parameter kinetic model, we deduce the ratio of reaction cross sections for an O atom with O2 vs. O3 to be 0.1 0.2. The general good agreement of the model with the data suggests the validity of the central assumption of efficient energy and spin relaxation of photofragments in the solid prior to their reactions with other species.

Raut, U.↗

Defects in electro-optically active polymer solids

There is considerable current interest in the application of organic and polymeric materials for electronic and photonic devices. The rapid, non-linear optical (NLO) response of these materials makes them attractive candidates for waveguides, interferometers, and frequency doublers. In order to realize the full potential of these systems, it is necessary to develop processing schemes which can fabricate these molecules into ordered arrangements. There is enormous potential for introducing well-defined, local variations in microstructure to control the photonic properties of organic materials by rational 'defect engineering.' This effort may eventually become as technologically important as the manipulation of the electronic structure of solid-state silicon based devices is at present. The success of this endeavor will require complimentary efforts in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of new materials. Detailed information about local microstructure will be necessary to understand the influence of symmetry breaking of the solid phases near point, line, and planar defects. In metallic and inorganic polycrystalline materials, defects play an important role in modifying macroscopic properties. To understand the influence of particular defects on the properties of materials, it has proven useful to isolate the defect by creating bicrystals between two-component single crystals. In this way the geometry of a grain boundary defect and its effect on macroscopic properties can be determined unambiguously. In crystalline polymers it would be valuable to establish a similar depth of understanding about the relationship between defect structure and macroscopic properties. Conventionally processed crystalline polymers have small crystallites (10-20 nm), which implies a large defect density in the solid state. Although this means that defects may play an important or even dominant role in crystalline or liquid crystalline polymer systems, it also makes it difficult to isolate the effect of a particular boundary on a macroscopically observed property. However, the development of solid-state and thin-film polymerization mechanisms have facilitated the synthesis of highly organized and ordered polymers. These systems provide a unique opportunity to isolate and investigate in detail the structure of covalently bonded solids near defects and the effect of these defects on the properties of the material. The study of defects in solid polymers has been the subject of a recent review (Martin, 1993).

Martin, David C.↗

Polyimidazopyrrolone model compounds.

The model reactions between phthalic anhydride and o-phenylenediamine were studied under conditions analogous to the polymerization and post-cyclization of dianhydrides with bis(o-diamines) to form polyimidazopyrrolones (Pyrrones). The route from the initial amide-acid-amine to the tetracyclic Pyrrone model when the reactions are conducted in aprotic solvents is highly competitive between isolatable benzimidazole-acid and imide-amine intermediates. Solid-state thermal conversion of the amide-acid-amine affords a unique dimeric species containing amide, imide, and benzimidazole functions. It was confirmed that melt techniques lead to disproportionation products. The application of these findings to related polymer synthesis is discussed.

Young, P. R.↗

Efficient frequency conversion of laser sources in nonlinear crystals

The use of nonlinear crystals to extend the frequency range of solid-state laser sources is proposed. The harmonic generation of high-average-power laser sources and CW-laser-sources nonlinear crystals is considered. The development of Nd:YAG pumped parametric oscillators and optical parametric amplifiers using LiNbO3 or AgGaS2 is studied. The LiNbO3 oscillator has tunable output over the 1.4-4.0 micron range and is applicable for remote sensing measurements of molecules and of humidity and temperature; AgGaS2 oscillators provide the potential for 3-15 micron infrared generation. Advances in material synthesis techniques related to the design and synthesis of nonlinear media are discussed. Various procedures for the synthesis of nonlinear crystals are described.

Byer, R. L.↗

Room temperature synthesis of copper indium diselenide in non-aqueous solution using an organoindium reagent

A novel two-phase synthesis of CuInSe2 at 25 C from Cu2Se and Cp3In in 4-methylpyridine has been discovered. Characterization of the material produced shows it to be platelet-shaped crystallites with an average particle size of 10 microns, less than 2 percent C and H, with a small amount of unidentified crystalline impurity. The results demonstrate that it is possible to produce from solution a material that is ordinarily synthesized in bulk or films at much higher temperatures or using extraneous reagents and/or electrons. The use of a solid-state reagent as a starting material which is converted to another solid-state compound by an organometallic reagent has tremendous potential to produce precursors for a wide range of solid-state materials of interest to the electronics, defense, and aerospace communities.

Hepp, Aloysius F.↗

Development of Highly-Conductive Polyelectrolytes for Lithium Batteries

Future NASA and Air Force missions require reliable and safe sources of energy with high specific energy and energy density that can provide thousands of charge-discharge cycles at more than 40% depth- of-discharge and that can operate at low temperatures. All solid-state batteries have substantial advantages with respect to stability, energy density, storage fife and cyclability. Among all solid-state batteries, those with flexible polymer electrolytes offer substantial advantages in cell dimensionality and commensurability, low temperature operation and thin film design. The above considerations suggest that lithium-polymer electrolyte systems are promising for high energy density batteries and should be the systems of choice for NASA and US Air Force applications. Polyelectrolytes (single ion conductors) are among most promising avenues for achieving a major breakthrough 'in the applicability of polymer- based electrolyte systems. Their major advantages include unit transference number for the cation, reduced cell polarization, minimal salt precipitation, and favorable electrolyte stability at interfaces. Our research is focused on synthesis, modeling and cell testing of single ion carriers, polyelectrolytes. During the first year of this project we attempted the synthesis of two polyelectrolytes. The synthesis of the first one, the poly(ethyleneoxide methoxy acrylateco-lithium 1,1,2-trifluorobutanesulfonate acrylate, was attempted few times and it was unsuccessful. We followed the synthetic route described by Cowie and Spence. The yield was extremely low and the final product could not be separated from the impurities. The synthesis of this polyelectrolyte is not described in this report. The second polyelectrolyte, comb polysiloxane polyelectrolyte containing oligoether and perfluoroether sidechains, was synthesized in sufficient quantity to study the range of properties such as thermal stability, Li- ion- conductivity and stability toward lithium metal. Also, the batteries containing this polyelectrolyte were assembled and tested. The results are detailed below. The synthesis of another polyelectrolyte similar to polysiloxane polyelectrolyte has been started, however, the synthesis was not completed due to termination of the project.

Shriver, D. F.↗

Synthesis of Two New Group 13 Benzoato-Chloro Complexes: A Structural Study of Gallium and Indium Chelating Carboxylates

Two new heteroleptic chelated-benzoato gallium (III) and indium (III) complexes have been prepared and structurally characterized. The molecular structures of [GaCl2(4-Mepy)2(O2CPh)]4-Mepy (1) and [InCl(4-Mepy)2(O2CPh)2]4-Mepy (2) have been determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction. The gallium compound (1) is a distorted octahedron with cis-chloride ligands co-planar with the chelating benzoate and the 4-methylpyridines trans to each other. This is the first example of a Ga(III) structure with a chelating benzoate. The indium compound (2) is a distorted pentagonal bipyramid with two chelating benzoates, one 4-methylpyridine in the plane and a chloride trans to the other 4-methylpyridine. The indium bis-benzoate is an unusual example of a seven-coordinate structure with classical ligands. Both complexes, which due to the chelates, could also be described as pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal, include a three-bladed motif with three roughly parallel aromatic rings that along with a solvent of crystallization and electron-withdrawing chloride ligand(s) stabilize the solid-state structures.

Duraj, Stan A.↗