Laboratory for Chemical Physics of f-elements

At the Department of Radiochemistry of the Faculty of Chemistry of Moscow State University, a laboratory X-ray spectrometer with a high energy resolution has been assembled. It allows to collect high-quality data using various methods of X-ray spectroscopy (https://xas.chem.msu.ru/ru/lab-ru/oborudovanie/9-x-ray-spectrometer). The synthesis of actinide- and lanthanide-containing materials and their characterisation using several methods of X-ray spectroscopy combined with other synchrotron radiation methods. We are also conducting a theoretical modelling of the absorption spectra and computations of the electronic structure by means of various methods.

The results of research conducted by the Laboratory allow to accumulate data on the main properties of materials based on actinides and lanthanides and enhance the understanding of the mechanisms of various chemical reactions with An/Ln at the atomic level. From a practical standpoint, the research is aimed at the solution of such problems as: the safety of radioactive waste circulation and disposal, physico-chemical processes accompanying the behaviour of radionuclides in the environment and the potential application of f-electron systems in catalytic processes in biomedicine (including nuclear medicine) and photochemistry.

Education and career development:

• The following series of lectures have been conducted:

- A series of lectures «Modern physico-chemical methods in radiochemistry and beyond», in the remote mode with the participation of Russian and foreign researchers;

- A series of lectures «Synchrotron methods of high-resolution spectroscopy: Experiment and Theory»;

- A series of lectures: «X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy: Experiment, Theory, Analysis and Data Processing».

• A number of internships for students have been organised at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF, France) with durations ranging from several weeks to six months.

Collaborations: