The Chemical Sciences Department is involved in making fundamental measurements of actinide species in the gas-phase using mass spectrometric techniques that provide insight into the intrinsic behavior of these elements (i.e., in a tightly-defined state of solvation) and providing benchmark values against which the results of computational chemistry can be compared.
The research originated from DOE-EM funded research, which showed that instrumentation invented at INL had excellent capability for measuring reactivity trends for metal oxide species.
The key capabilities at INL include the ion trap-secondary ion mass spectrometers (IT-SIMS), which was invented by the INL ion chemistry group. The research conducted in this area has produced an increasing level of recognition in the fundamental ion chemistry and actinide chemistry communities. Another key instrument is the electrospray ionization mass spectrometer, which is also used for generation and reaction of actinide complexes.
- Contacts:
- Gary Groenewold, (208) 526-2803, Send E-mail