Welcome to the radiochemistry group!
Radiochemistry is, as the name implies, the chemistry of radioactive elements and isotopes.
Our research focuses on elements without stable isotopes, with particular emphasis on the actinides from thorium to curium and the lightest radioactive element, technetium. We also use selected lanthanides as chemical analogues for actinide systems. The luminescence properties of many lanthanides provide valuable opportunities to study structure and coordination environments, and together these elements form the basis of our broader interest in f-element chemistry.
Our research spans both fundamental and applied aspects of coordination chemistry and solid-state chemistry. We study molecular complexes and solid-state materials containing f-elements and technetium, with the aim of understanding how composition, oxidation state, and coordination environment influence their structural and electronic properties.
A major focus of our work is the long-term immobilisation of radionuclides generated during nuclear energy production. By combining fundamental chemical studies with materials development, we contribute to the design and assessment of waste forms for the safe management of radioactive waste and other challenges associated with the nuclear fuel cycle.
The synthesis of new coordination compounds and solid-state materials is accompanied by a wide range of structural and spectroscopic techniques. These include single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopies, luminescence spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Together, these methods provide insight into atomic structure, oxidation states, electronic structure, and chemical bonding, helping us understand the chemistry of f-elements and technetium in molecules and extended solids.