CEA Marcoule-LN1
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LN1 laboratory at CEA - Marcoule
The LN1 Laboratory within the ATALANTE facility in Marcoule is dedicated to molecular chemistry of all actinides in solution, solid state and interfaces. It brings together selected techniques to obtain structural information, speciation and thermodynamic properties.
Four glove boxes are dedicated to classical chemical experiments, such dissolution, dilution, extraction, evaporation, centrifugation, essential to synthetize and purify specific actinide compounds (pure or in specific environment). The nine other glove boxes are specific to prepare samples before the examination through the different techniques.
Partner: CEA
Website: http://www.cea.fr
Mass spectrometry
Brucker Esquire-LC quadrupole ion trap equipped with Electrospray Ionization, and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization interface. Positive or negative ionization modes can be used. EI is useful for metal-ligand analysis (stoichiometry and stability) and APCI allows a structural identification of organic compounds.
FTIR and Raman spectrometry
EQUINOX 55 from Bruker. Two detector types have been installed for medium and far infrared. A LabRAM system from Dylor is installed to allow Raman studies. An external continuous-wave 2W Nd-YAG laser, the millennia II, has also been implemented. FTIR spectrometry provides information for solid and liquid compounds: metal-ligand vibration energy, coordination of ligands around the metal.
Microcalorimetry
Thermal Activity Monitor microcalorimeter from Thermometric, a modular system with a highly stable temperature-controlled bath containing up to four calorimetry units. The sensor bulbs inserted in the units are capable of measuring heat flows in static or titration systems. Microcalorimetry provides information on heats of reaction at low level (some mW), and equilibrium constants of reactions (complexation, extraction, dilution, sorption).
Fluorescence studies
Specific laser line using a pulsed Nd-Yag laser (PL8000, Excel Technology), an Optical Parametric Oscillator (Sunlite, Excel technology) and a light frequency doublers (FX1, Excel Technolgy). This equipment is well adapted for detection at low level of fluorescent elements like U(VI), Cm(III), Am(III)) and Eu(III), for speciation with little affined ligand, for the hydration number of the first coordination shell from the fluorescence lifetime.
NMR spectrometry
Varian INOVA 400MHz equipped with three channels, wave form generator, Z-gradient and a 100W proton amplifier for solid samples decoupling. Two glove boxes, next to the magnet room, are dedicated to prepare radioactive liquid samples in the NMR tubes. 5mm broad band and reverse commercial probes, both with Z-gradient, are used. a special probe head is under study for experiments with powder samples, such as MAS.NMR gives access to structure of compounds and dynamic behaviour in solids and solutions.
Diffractometry
4 circles Brucker ASX Kappa CCD (Nonius), allowing fast data acquisition. The goniometer is equipped with a low temperature device coupled with an air drying system. An optical microscope equipped with a camera is used to fulfill the crystal selection and to introduce it in a quartz capillary. Single crystal X-ray diffraction is the key tool in elucidating the geometric structure of solid phases.
Access requirements:
- Security, clearance and medical checks (in house medical services);
- General training (five days, two days if the complete five days training session for access to Saclay has been followed);
- Training for working in glove boxes (three to four days);
- Security training specific to ATALANTE (half a day).
Marie-Christine CHARBONNEL
+33 (0) 4 66 79 16 09
