U.S.-Korea-Australia Cooperative Science: Solid State NMR, X-ray and Neutron Diffraction Study of Inorganic Nitrates

South Dakota State University, Brookings SD

Investigators

Abstract

INT-0096919 Shore The goal of this research is to better understand the energetics and dynamics that lead to the formation of inorganic nitrates. A series of inorganic nitrates will be studied using variable temperature solid-state NMR spectroscopy and variable temperature diffraction measurements. The atomic positions and electrostatic interactions will be characterized. These measurements will then be correlated with the measurement of the motion of the nitrate ion, from NMR spectroscopy, and will be used to develop an atomic-level model that is consistent with the temperature dependent behavior. With this model, a greater understanding of the relationship between dynamics and electrostatic interactions in inorganic nitrates will be obtained. This work will also lead to a better understanding of the formation of ionic materials that contain polyatomic ions. This project initiates a collaboration between investigators from the United States, South Korea, and Australia that have complementary expertise and research capabilities. The United States group will provide the solid state NMR measurements, the South Korean group will provide the neutron diffraction measurements, and the Australian group will provide the single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements. This collaboration has the potential to be long term and to provide fundamental understanding of many important solid state inorganic materials.