PhD project: Extreme Conditions Chemistry of Lanthanide and Actinide Metals and Oxides
Project description
Lanthanide and actinide materials play a central role in nuclear science and technology, underpinning nuclear fuels, structural materials, and long-term waste forms. Their oxides and hydrides are particularly important, controlling fuel performance, hydrogen uptake, and chemical stability under extreme conditions. Despite their importance, the high-pressure, high-temperature reaction chemistry of these materials remains poorly constrained, limiting predictive capability for nuclear materials stewardship. At the same time, these f-element systems have emerged as promising candidates for high-temperature—and potentially room-temperature—superconductivity, further motivating a detailed understanding of their behaviour under extreme conditions.
As such, this project will investigate the reaction chemistry of lanthanide and actinide metals, oxides, and hydrides under extreme conditions (>100,000 times atmospheric pressure and >1000°C) using diamond anvil cell (DAC) techniques combined with Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In particular, the project will focus on i) the development of enhanced high-temperature capability for in situ Raman and XRD experiments, extending resistive heating to ~1100 °C; ii) high-pressure and high-temperature studies of binary oxides; iii) investigation of oxide reactivity with simple gases (e.g. H2, N2); and iv) formation and stability of binary hydrides produced in situ.
Ultimately, this PhD thesis will generate new constraints on phase stability, diffusion mechanics, and reactions in f-element systems under extreme conditions, directly supporting improved understanding of materials relevant to superconductivity and nuclear energy.
This PhD project is funded by AWE, and close interaction with the AWE supervisor would be expected. More information can be found here.
Project supervisor
- Dr Dominique Laniel (School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Edinburgh)
The project supervisor welcomes informal enquiries about this project.
Find out more about this research area
The links below summarise our research in the area(s) relevant to this project:
- Find out more about Extreme Conditions.
- Find out more about the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems.
What next?
- Find out how to apply for our PhD degrees.
- Find out about fees and funding and studentship opportunities.
- View and complete the application form (on the main University website).
- Find out how to contact us for more information.