Current Research Projects
Novel materials for water storage and separation
We have developed a metal organic nanotube that is selective to water and has the potential to advance water purification and treatment technologies. Current efforts in this project include understanding the structural features of the material that control selectivity and understanding the basics of nanoconfined water molecules.
Investigating reactivity of the actinyl cation
238U and 237Np are both important elements in the nuclear fuel cycle and can form nearly linear dioxo actinyl cationsin the penta- and hexavalent oxidation states. In the case UO22+, the oxo groups are essentially passivated, but much less is known about NpO2+. This project explores the subtle changes in reactivity of the oxo group for uranyl and neptunyl cations.
Direct air carbon capture with uranyl superoxide catalyst
Collaboration with Dr. Sara E. Mason, BNL, Funded by DOE
U(VI) can stabilize the superoxide radical and selectively convert carbon dioxide into carbonate through a direct air capture process. This project aims to explore the addition of the U(VI) superoxide to the strong base process to improve direct carbon dioxide sequestration from the air.