The Controlled Synthesis of Uranium Materials for Application in Energy Science

This PhD project will develop the chemistry of functional materials containing depleted uranium (DU) for application in low-carbon energy technologies e.g. semiconductors for solar cells and magnets for electric motors. Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) techniques from organometallic precursors have been very successful in lanthanide materials science. In contrast, to-date there are only 2 examples of CVD of DU compounds. This project builds on previous unpublished work in the group on a new class of compounds, the DU analogues of the lanthanide hexafluoroacetylacetonate (hfac) series, [Ln(hfac)3(diglyme)]. The X-ray structure of [U(hfac)3(diglyme)] is shown. Complexes of both U(III) and U(IV) are accessible and possess both remarkable volatility and stability to air and moisture, making them ideal for CVD. The project will initially focus on the controlled (redox and phase) deposition of DU oxides from organometallic precursors by Metal Organic and Aerosol Assisted CVD. Post-synthetic modification in the solid state will be studied to engineer material properties for different applications. Experimental, technical and spectroscopic know-how will then feedback into 2nd generation precursor design (including main group elements) and the synthesis of more challenging and strategic mixed-oxide, non-oxide and multi-metallic material targets.