Publications

Dec, 2023

Journal

Structure and Dynamics of the Molten Alkali-Chloride Salts from an X-ray, Simulation, and Rate Theory Perspective

Molten salts are of great interest as alternative solvents, electrolytes, and heat transfer fluids in many emerging technologies. The macroscopic properties of molten salts are ultimately controlled by their structure and ion dynamics at the microscopic level and it is therefore vital to develop an understanding of these at the atomistic scale. Herein, we present high-ener…

Dec, 2023

Journal

Low-Cost Transformation of Biomass-Derived Carbon to High-Performing Nano-graphite via Low-Temperature Electrochemical Graphitization

Graphite, an essential component of energy storage devices, is traditionally synthesized via an energy-intensive thermal process (Acheson process) at ∼3300 K. However, the battery performance of such graphite is abysmal under fast-charging conditions, which is deemed essential for the propulsion of electric vehicles to the next level. Herein, a low-temperature electrochemi…

Dec, 2023

Journal

A High Temperature Cell for Investigating Interfacial Structure on the Molecular Scale in Molten Salt/Alloy Systems

In this work, we describe the design and development of an in situ neutron reflectometry cell for high temperature investigations of structural changes occurring at the interface between inorganic salts, in their molten state up to 800 °C, and corrosion resistant alloys or other surfaces. In the cell, a molten salt is confined by an annular ring of single crystal sapphire…

Dec, 2023

Journal

A Holistic Approach for Elucidating Local Structure, Dynamics, and Speciation in Molten Salts with High Structural Disorder

To examine ion solvation, exchange, and speciation for minority components in molten salts (MS) typically found as corrosion products, we propose a multimodal approach combining extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations, and rate theory of ion exchange. Going beyond conventional EXAF…

Nov, 2023

ORNL Report

Purification of Chloride Salts for Concentrated Solar Applications

The increased interest in high temperature molten salt technology, including concentrated solar power (CSP), has resulted in an increased need for high purity alkali and alkaline earth chloride salts. One lingering question remains in the technoeconomic analysis: ‘How clean is clean enough?’ High-quality corrosion experiments are necessary to design alloys with enhanced co…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Formation of three-dimensional bicontinuous structures via molten salt dealloying studied in real-time by in situ synchrotron X-ray nano-tomography

Three-dimensional bicontinuous porous materials formed by dealloying contribute significantly to various applications including catalysis, sensor development and energy storage. This work studies a method of molten salt dealloying via real-time in situ synchrotron three-dimensional X-ray nano-tomography. Quantification of morphological parameters determined that long-range…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Photoinduced Strong Metal–Support Interaction for Enhanced Catalysis

Strong metal–support interaction (SMSI) construction is a pivotal strategy to afford thermally robust nanocatalysts in industrial catalysis, but thermally induced reactions (>300 °C) in specific gaseous atmospheres are generally required in traditional procedures. In this work, a photochemistry-driven methodology was demonstrated for SMSI construction under ambient conditi…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Surpassing the Organic Cathode Performance for Lithium-Ion Batteries with Robust Fluorinated Covalent Quinazoline Networks

Organic electrode materials have promising application prospects in energy storage, but issues including rapid capacity fading and poor power capacity restrict their practical applications. Herein, nanoporous fluorinated covalent quinazoline networks (F-CQNs) were constructed by condensation of fluorinated aromatic aminonitrile precursors via an ionothermal pathway. Precis…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Determining oxidation states of transition metals in molten salt corrosion using electron energy loss spectroscopy

This work utilizes electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to identify oxidation state of alloying elements in Ni-based alloys after exposure to molten chloride salt systems. Pure Ni and Ni-20Cr model alloy were corroded in molten ZnCl2 and KCl-MgCl2 under argon atmosphere at various temperatures. Oxidation states of Cr (Cr3+) and Ni (Ni2+) in the molten salt after corros…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Revealing 3D Morphological and Chemical Evolution Mechanisms of Metals in Molten Salt by Multimodal Microscopy

Growing interest in molten salts as effective high-temperature heat-transfer fluids for sustainable energy systems drives a critical need to fundamentally understand the interactions between metals and molten salts. This work utilizes the multimodal microscopy methods of synchrotron X-ray nanotomography and electron microscopy to investigate the 3D morphological and chemic…

Nov, 2023

Journal

Enabling chloride salts for thermal energy storage: implications of salt purity

Molten salts for use as heat transfer fluids in concentrated solar or nuclear power plants have experienced a resurgence over the past decade with a special focus on chloride-based salt mixtures, particularly for use in concentrating solar power and fast-spectrum nuclear reactors. Salt purification, specifically oxide removal, is required even for high purity commercial sa…

Nov, 2023

ORNL Report

Selective Recovery of Critical Materials from Geothermal Fluid