Research

The understanding of the physical/chemical behaviour of an element in engineered or environmental systems requires fundamental knowledge of the chemistry of the relevant element. The Institute of Resource Ecology at HZDR is recognised to possess a long history in the research of nuclear-related elements, such as actinides or lanthanides, in various applied systems, particularly for geological disposal of radioactive wastes. In order to provide solid scientific foundation for these existing research activities in the applied systems as well as to explore new research fields associated with nuclear-related elements, the division “Chemistry of the f-elements”, established in June 2014, is focusing on the fundamental coordination and solution chemistry of f-elements, i.e., actinides and lanthanides, with a wide range of inorganic- and organic ligands relevant to the geological disposal of radioactive wastes.

Research subjects:

• Coordination chemistry of f-elements with inorganic- and organic ligands (e.g. naturally relevant and bio-related ligands)
• Solution chemistry, colloid chemistry and electrochemistry of f-elements
• Polymer and cluster chemistry of f-elements
• Development of theoretical calculation codes for 5f systems (i.e. actinides)
• Theoretical interpretation of spectroscopic data on f-elements (i.e. NMR and XAS (XANES))

Experimental capability

(On-site capability available in a controlled area at Rossendorf)

Solid state characterisation:

• Single-crystal X-ray diffractometer (Bruker D8 VENTURE)
• Powder X-ray diffractometer (Rigaku MiniFlex 600)

Spectroscopic and other analytical technique:

• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer
• Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS)
• UV-visible-NIR spectrophotometers
• FT-IR spectrometer (Agilent Cary 630) with an ATR device
• Elemental analyser (Elementar Vario MICRO Cube)
• Electrochemical instruments (e.g. Metrohm AUTOLAB-PGSTAT 302)

Infrastructure for synthetic chemistry of radioactive materials:

• Schlenk lines for organic/inorganic syntheses
• Inert- and water-free glove boxes
• Source of radioactive materials (e.g. Th, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm, Tc, etc.)

(Synchrotron-based X-ray technique available at the ROBL beamline, ESRF, France)

• X-ray absorption spectroscopy
• X-ray diffraction