In this work, we describe the synthesis of CdS nanocrystals in thin polymeric films by in-situ Grazing Incidence Diffraction (GID) and Grazing Incidence Small Angle Scattering (GISAXS). The 2D GISAXS patterns indicate how the precursor structure is altered as the temperature is varied from 25°C to 300°C. At 150°C, the CdS nanocrystals start to arrange themselves in a hexagonal lattice with a lattice parameter of 27 Å. The diffraction intensity from the hexagonal lattice reaches a maximum at 170°C and decreases steadily upon further heating above 220°C indicating loss of symmetry. Correspondingly, the GID scans at 170°C show strong crystalline peaks from cubic CdS nanocrystals that are about 2 nm size. The results indicate that a temperature of 170°C is sufficient to synthesize CdS nanocrystals without degradation of the polymer matrix (Topas) in thin films (about 30nm).

Bulk samples of a novel cermet (ceramic/metal composite) hydrogen transport membrane (HTM) were subjected to thermal cycling in the temperature range between 25-850°C to study phase transformations and microstructural changes under thermal shock. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the microstructural and chemical changes in the membrane upon thermal cycling. SEM & EPMA analyses indicated that the temperature gradient during thermal cycling produced more micro-cracks inside the HTM disc, whereas, the chemical reaction between Pd and oxygen to form PdO disturbed the continuity of the metal palladium (Pd) - Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) dual phases interconnection system from surface down. The agglomerates of un-crystallized YSZ grains found to be the inherent in the cracks of the as-received HTM. A combination of trans-granular and inter-granular crack propagation results around the YSZ grains and the new precipitates. Based on the electron fractography analyses by both SEM and EPMA, the micro voids coalescence develops ahead of the crack tips in the cross-section of the HTM after 500 thermal cycles.

Increased demand for low cost energy storage options has expanded the scope of Na+ batteries considerably; and with the growing interest in Na-based chemistries, the importance of high voltage positive electrodes is quickly realized as the Na/Na+ redox introduces lower operating voltages as compared to Li/Li+ based electrochemical cells. The 4.7V LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel has exhibited considerable properties as a high voltage Li+ positive electrode, with a host structure (λ-Mn0.75Ni0.25O2) that may provide an analogous high voltage Na+ positive electrode. Structural and electrochemical properties of NaxMn1.56Ni0.44O4 and NaxMn2O4 are investigated for the first time[1] utilizing ex-situ, in-situ X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution electrochemical techniques to provide an insightful study of the Na+ insertion mechanism.