Two new transuranium-based chemical compounds co-discovered by researchers from Gdansk Tech. | Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics at the Gdańsk University of Technology

This scientific project is interesting and important due to its joint implementation by the Joint Research Center - Karlsruhe (JRC-KA) and the Gdansk Technical University, represented in this case by prof. Tomasz Klimczuk (Faculty of Applied Physics and Mathematics).

The goal of this project was to synthesize and study the physical properties of hypothetical NpIr3 and PuIr3 compounds. Due to the strong radiation and toxicity of neptunium and plutonium, the synthesis of transuranium-based compounds is not possible at every institute. Therefore, it was carried out at the Joint Research Centre - Karlsruhe, the only laboratory in Europe where this has been possible*.

The project was a complete success.

Two new chemical compounds were obtained and their properties were studied. The added value of the project is the NpIr3, which became the protagonist and leitmotif of the master's thesis entitled Determination of the conditions for the synthesis and study of the physical properties of NpIr3, prepared by Zofia Stożek, M.Sc., under the supervision of prof. Tomasz Klimczuk. A consultant of the thesis was dr Jean-Christophe Griveau (JRC-KA).

The Joint Research Center (JRC) is one of the Directorates General of the European Commission. The JRC consists of seven scientific institutes in five EU countries. The research programmes carried out in Karlsruhe include research, knowledge management and training activities in the field of nuclear safety and security. They are carried out in cooperation with and in support to EU Member States. The institute has unique capabilities in the synthesis of transuranic-based compounds and the study of their chemical and physical properties.

A joint realization – JRC-KA and Gdansk University of Technology – of another project Synthesis and studies of PuMC2 carbide (M=Co, Ni) is planned for the spring.

*The experimental data used in this research were generated through access to the ActUsLab/PAMEC under the Framework of access to the Joint Research Centre Physical Research Infrastructures of the European Commission (PUIR, Research Infrastructure Access Agreement N°36345/07).