The aim of this research is the development of a method for radiochemical separation of heavy elements by high-performance liquid chromatography for the correction of nuclear data and search for new neutron-rich isotopes of actinides produced in multinucleon transfer reactions or as a decay product of superheavy elements
Tasks
Plan of the project at the current stage:
• Theoretical investigation of actinides chromatography
• Optimisation of actinides separation using the theory of plates and chromatography model development based on the obtained results
• Calculation of linear gradient system to separate actinides and experiments on HPLC
• Selection of systems prospective for An(II) / An(III) separation
Preliminary schedule by topics/tasks
The work schedule is drawn up for 6 weeks and is agreed with the student including discussion of the short literature review, analysis of the experimental data, calculations, results and final report
Required skills
• Basic knowledge of nuclear chemistry and physics (gamma-spectrometry)
• Motivation
• English speaking skills (B2 level)
• Basic IT knowledge (Matlab)
Acquired skills and experience
• Understanding the mechanisms of the heavy and superheavy elements production in nuclear reactions
• Understanding the chromatographic theory concepts and its application in heavy elements separation
• Processing experimental chromatograms and gamma-spectra
Recommended literature
M. Schädel, D. Shaugnessy (editors), The Chemistry of Superheavy Elements, 2nd Ed., Springer, 2014.
