Theoretical studies of actinide complexation with macrocyclic ligands: identifying synthetic targets and real-world applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
I propose to investigate the chemical interaction between uranyl and a series of porphyrins. Uranyl is an oxygen complex of the heavy element uranium and porphyrins are large, ringlike carbon-based molecules. Several of these chemical complexes have been created in laboratories, and I envisage the results of my research having applications as diverse as nuclear fuel enrichment, radiation detection, cancer therapy, and solar energy. In addition, my work will identify complexes that research chemists should focus their efforts on synthesising in the laboratory as well as demonstrating that state-of-the-art theoretical methods can and must be applied to these complexes in order to give a quantitative understanding of their chemical structure.
The porphyrins can be considered as molecular rings, or macrocycles, with a central cavity in which other atoms and molecules can reside, and the variety of applications I have suggested is possible since they can be easily modified in order to change their properties:
-Their size can be altered, so that they can be tailored to 'fit' with uranyl to varying degrees.
-They can be modified so that they evaporate more readily when heated.
-Related macrocycles enable one to choose the type of atom with which the uranyl directly interacts.
-They can be altered so that the strength with which they bind uranyl can be varied.
An important part of my proposed work is that it is computational: all of my direct research will be via simulation. Simulation plays a greater role in research into the actinide series of elements, which includes uranium, than in other areas of chemistry, since all actinides are radioactive, some of them extremely so, and there are very few facilities in the world where chemists can work with them. This means that less laboratory work can be performed, and so accurate simulation is a requirement in order to further our understanding of these elements.
My proposed research employs extremely sophisticated theoretical techniques in order to study uranyl porphyrin complexes. Whilst there has been some previous simulation work on such complexes, it has been carried out using less accurate methods. The realisation of the potential applications that I have outlined are dependent on specific details of the interactions between the porphyrins and the uranyl. Such details are often unavailable directly from experiment; theoretical techniques with strong predictive capabilities are therefore a necessity. In my previous research I have shown that popular theoretical methods may not be capable of even qualitative descriptions of actinide complexes, particularly for the heavier actinides such as plutonium, and it is only in the present day that computational resources are available to conduct simulations capable of quantitative predictions on such relatively large complexes.
As part of my proposed research I also intend to study the interactions of the porphyrins with other actinide elements. Other actinides can behave very differently to uranium, and understanding when and how they differ are fundamental questions in heavy element chemistry. The properties of the porphyrins that I have described allow many different aspects of these fundamental questions to be considered.
In summary, the significant theoretical study that I propose here will complement the excellent experimental work being carried out both in universities and national laboratories in the United States. Whilst the primary goal of this work is the realisation of the applications I have outlined, it will also set new standards in the simulation of large molecular systems, and deepen our understanding of the chemistry of the actinide series.
The porphyrins can be considered as molecular rings, or macrocycles, with a central cavity in which other atoms and molecules can reside, and the variety of applications I have suggested is possible since they can be easily modified in order to change their properties:
-Their size can be altered, so that they can be tailored to 'fit' with uranyl to varying degrees.
-They can be modified so that they evaporate more readily when heated.
-Related macrocycles enable one to choose the type of atom with which the uranyl directly interacts.
-They can be altered so that the strength with which they bind uranyl can be varied.
An important part of my proposed work is that it is computational: all of my direct research will be via simulation. Simulation plays a greater role in research into the actinide series of elements, which includes uranium, than in other areas of chemistry, since all actinides are radioactive, some of them extremely so, and there are very few facilities in the world where chemists can work with them. This means that less laboratory work can be performed, and so accurate simulation is a requirement in order to further our understanding of these elements.
My proposed research employs extremely sophisticated theoretical techniques in order to study uranyl porphyrin complexes. Whilst there has been some previous simulation work on such complexes, it has been carried out using less accurate methods. The realisation of the potential applications that I have outlined are dependent on specific details of the interactions between the porphyrins and the uranyl. Such details are often unavailable directly from experiment; theoretical techniques with strong predictive capabilities are therefore a necessity. In my previous research I have shown that popular theoretical methods may not be capable of even qualitative descriptions of actinide complexes, particularly for the heavier actinides such as plutonium, and it is only in the present day that computational resources are available to conduct simulations capable of quantitative predictions on such relatively large complexes.
As part of my proposed research I also intend to study the interactions of the porphyrins with other actinide elements. Other actinides can behave very differently to uranium, and understanding when and how they differ are fundamental questions in heavy element chemistry. The properties of the porphyrins that I have described allow many different aspects of these fundamental questions to be considered.
In summary, the significant theoretical study that I propose here will complement the excellent experimental work being carried out both in universities and national laboratories in the United States. Whilst the primary goal of this work is the realisation of the applications I have outlined, it will also set new standards in the simulation of large molecular systems, and deepen our understanding of the chemistry of the actinide series.
Planned Impact
Who will benefit?
1) Nuclear industry professionals.
2) Current academic researchers.
3) The next generation of researchers, both academic and industrial.
4) Society as a whole, through knowledge advancement and economic benefit.
5) The public, through the raising of awareness of key issues with regard to the continuing adoption of nuclear power facilities.
How will they benefit?
1) My contact with the nuclear industry so far leads me to conclude that there is significant scope
to enhance the role played by computational. I will directly approach contacts I am already making with representatives in this industry in order to gain opportunities to speak at seminars and workshops, where I can emphasise the role that theory can play. I will demonstrate that theoretical studies can bypass the difficulties associated with experimental work on these highly radioactive, difficult to handle materials, and so streamline the process of obtaining solutions to nuclear waste management problems. In this way I intend to change the perception of theoretical chemistry in industry, leading to more widespread acceptance and a change in working habits that can only have a beneficial impact, both from a knowledge transfer and economic perspective, in the long term.
2) My research will produce scientific advances in both methodology and novel analysis. This will impact directly on the fields of fundamental f-element chemistry and synthetic chemistry, as well as providing novel links between the two. Successful fulfilment of my objectives may also lead to a novel experimental probe of aromaticity, and a novel theoretical interpretation of oxidation state. If my results support my hypotheses regarding applications, new avenues of research and potential collaborations with workers in less related fields such as healthcare and alternative energy will be created.
3) Doctoral training centres such as the EPSRC funded 'Nuclear FiRST' focus on training postgraduate students for the nuclear industry, and the EU FP7 ACTINET-I3 theoretical user lab runs PhD schools. I intend to give lectures based on my research at both in order to introduce the next generation of researchers to the benefits of applying theoretical chemistry to nuclear-relevant systems. I am also active within the Thomas Young Centre (TYC), an interdisciplinary community of London research groups, which holds numerous informal events such as coffee mornings and soirees, and I will take advantage of these to ensure my ideas and approaches are communicated to the next generation of researchers.
4) The intended consequence of my interactions with nuclear industry is the streamlining of processes leading to solutions of problems in nuclear waste management. Any advantage that can be gained through the utilisation of theoretical methods will present a significant reduction in cost and time, and will therefore be of direct economic benefit to society. I will also engage with UCL Business PLC, to explore any commercial exploitation that could be achieved from my research. Such exploitation would have a clear economic benefit to the UK, given the prevailing positive attitude to nuclear power across many developed nations at the current time.
5) There is currently significant public interest in issues surrounding nuclear power, which means that there are numerous opportunities for raising public awareness of these issues. I will engage with the public through lectures, exhibitions, and science fairs. This will serve two purposes. Firstly, it will give me the opportunity to deal with issues regarding the lack of public trust in nuclear power, which is partially due to a lack of dialogue between experts and the layperson. Secondly, I can emphasise the role theory has to play in the development of technology, since I believe this to be something that the public is largely unaware of.
1) Nuclear industry professionals.
2) Current academic researchers.
3) The next generation of researchers, both academic and industrial.
4) Society as a whole, through knowledge advancement and economic benefit.
5) The public, through the raising of awareness of key issues with regard to the continuing adoption of nuclear power facilities.
How will they benefit?
1) My contact with the nuclear industry so far leads me to conclude that there is significant scope
to enhance the role played by computational. I will directly approach contacts I am already making with representatives in this industry in order to gain opportunities to speak at seminars and workshops, where I can emphasise the role that theory can play. I will demonstrate that theoretical studies can bypass the difficulties associated with experimental work on these highly radioactive, difficult to handle materials, and so streamline the process of obtaining solutions to nuclear waste management problems. In this way I intend to change the perception of theoretical chemistry in industry, leading to more widespread acceptance and a change in working habits that can only have a beneficial impact, both from a knowledge transfer and economic perspective, in the long term.
2) My research will produce scientific advances in both methodology and novel analysis. This will impact directly on the fields of fundamental f-element chemistry and synthetic chemistry, as well as providing novel links between the two. Successful fulfilment of my objectives may also lead to a novel experimental probe of aromaticity, and a novel theoretical interpretation of oxidation state. If my results support my hypotheses regarding applications, new avenues of research and potential collaborations with workers in less related fields such as healthcare and alternative energy will be created.
3) Doctoral training centres such as the EPSRC funded 'Nuclear FiRST' focus on training postgraduate students for the nuclear industry, and the EU FP7 ACTINET-I3 theoretical user lab runs PhD schools. I intend to give lectures based on my research at both in order to introduce the next generation of researchers to the benefits of applying theoretical chemistry to nuclear-relevant systems. I am also active within the Thomas Young Centre (TYC), an interdisciplinary community of London research groups, which holds numerous informal events such as coffee mornings and soirees, and I will take advantage of these to ensure my ideas and approaches are communicated to the next generation of researchers.
4) The intended consequence of my interactions with nuclear industry is the streamlining of processes leading to solutions of problems in nuclear waste management. Any advantage that can be gained through the utilisation of theoretical methods will present a significant reduction in cost and time, and will therefore be of direct economic benefit to society. I will also engage with UCL Business PLC, to explore any commercial exploitation that could be achieved from my research. Such exploitation would have a clear economic benefit to the UK, given the prevailing positive attitude to nuclear power across many developed nations at the current time.
5) There is currently significant public interest in issues surrounding nuclear power, which means that there are numerous opportunities for raising public awareness of these issues. I will engage with the public through lectures, exhibitions, and science fairs. This will serve two purposes. Firstly, it will give me the opportunity to deal with issues regarding the lack of public trust in nuclear power, which is partially due to a lack of dialogue between experts and the layperson. Secondly, I can emphasise the role theory has to play in the development of technology, since I believe this to be something that the public is largely unaware of.
Organisations
- University College London (Lead Research Organisation)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (Collaboration)
- University of Missouri (Collaboration)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Collaboration)
- National Nuclear Laboratory (Collaboration)
- University of Helsinki (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Trinity College Dublin (Collaboration)
- Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (Collaboration)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (Project Partner)
- Lancaster University (Fellow)
Publications
Tegner B
(2017)
Water Adsorption on AnO 2 {111}, {110}, and {100} Surfaces (An = U and Pu): A Density Functional Theory + U Study
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Kerridge A
(2017)
Quantification of f-element covalency through analysis of the electron density: insights from simulation.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)
Di Pietro P
(2017)
Ligand size dependence of U-N and U-O bond character in a series of uranyl hexaphyrin complexes: quantum chemical simulation and density based analysis.
in Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP
Description | We are unearthing a close relationship between physically observable chemical properties and the suitability of chemical complexes for use in the separation of spent nuclear fuel into more manageable components. Recently we have extended this understanding to link chemical stability of actinide species to the degree of bond covalency, driving towards the prospect of simulation being used predictively in the design of novel actinide complexes. |
Exploitation Route | The analytical methods that we apply are available to others studying similar systems, and our approach is well documented in the scientific literature so may be applied by other with similar research goals. Our research data is submitted to our institutional archive and is available to others upon request. Our publications are also submitted to this archive and, where possible, we publish gold open acces articles. |
Sectors | Chemicals Energy Environment |
Description | Award of partial funding for EngD student |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2012 |
End | 09/2015 |
Description | Partial Funding for UCL Impact award studentship |
Amount | £32,535 (GBP) |
Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2013 |
End | 09/2016 |
Description | Dr Louise Natrajan |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We provide computational analysis of expermintal and data and suggest traget synthetic complexes |
Collaborator Contribution | They provide experimental data for computational analysis and attempt syntheses of suggested complexes |
Impact | See publication list |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Dr Rober Baker |
Organisation | Trinity College Dublin |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Simluation analysis and intrepetation of experimental data. Predictions of temperature dependent phenomena |
Collaborator Contribution | synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of target complexes |
Impact | See publication list |
Start Year | 2011 |
Description | Dr Scott Owens |
Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Computational simulations of a variety of systems relevant to the nuclear power industry |
Collaborator Contribution | Indutrial and financial support to PhD students |
Impact | Publications in preparation |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Dr Vivek Dua |
Organisation | University College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational simulations of liquid-liquid separation for the purification of salt water. Identification of suitable solvents |
Collaborator Contribution | experimental analysis of liquid-liquid separation for the purification of salt water. |
Impact | This collaboration is about to submit an responsive-mode proposal to EPSRC |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Dr. David Mills |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational research activities |
Collaborator Contribution | Experimental research activities |
Impact | 10.1039/C5DT04528B |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Dr. Justin Walenksy |
Organisation | University of Missouri |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational research ativities |
Collaborator Contribution | Experimental research ativities |
Impact | 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5b01342 |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | Dr. Michael Patzschke |
Organisation | University of Helsinki |
Country | Finland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational simulations of complexes relevant to the nuclear fuel industry |
Collaborator Contribution | Computational simulations of complexes relevant to the nuclear fuel industry |
Impact | Publications in progress |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Dr. Peter Kaden |
Organisation | Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres |
Department | Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational research activities |
Collaborator Contribution | Experimental research activities |
Impact | 10.1039/C4CC08718F |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Dr. Richard Layfield |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Computational research activities |
Collaborator Contribution | Experimatal research activities |
Impact | 10.1002/anie.201500173 |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | John Gibson |
Organisation | Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory |
Country | United States |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Simulation of gas phase uranyl complexes to further understanding of dehydration processes |
Collaborator Contribution | gas phase mass-spectrometry studies of uranyl complexes |
Impact | None |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Prof. Steve Liddle |
Organisation | University of Nottingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Simulations to demonstrate details of electronic structure of target complexes |
Collaborator Contribution | Synthesis and experimental analysis of target complexes |
Impact | Publication in preparation |
Start Year | 2013 |