ISBN 9783843956956

978-3-8439-5695-6, Reihe Anorganische Chemie

Andreas Lichtenberg
New Insights into the Chemistry of Thorium and Uranium Molecules and Materials: Expanding Energy Applications Beyond Nuclear Fuels

268 Seiten, Dissertation Universität Köln (2025), Softcover, A5

Zusammenfassung / Abstract

Growing global energy demands and the transition away from fossil fuels place increasing emphasis on advanced materials capable of supporting future energy technologies. This dissertation demonstrates how rationally designed thorium and uranium molecular precursors enable access to novel functional actinide oxides – materials relevant not only for next-generation nuclear systems but also for broader electrochemical and energy-related applications.

Tailored thorium complexes were developed as efficient single-source precursors for the chemical vapor deposition of ThO2 thin films, allowing precise control over volatility and film morphology through systematic ligand design. In parallel, the work introduces the first comprehensive series of heterobimetallic actinide alkoxides (Th/U), establishing structurally defined molecular platforms for the targeted synthesis of complex oxide materials.

These precursors enabled the fabrication of functional ThFeOx coatings, whose electronic structure and catalytic behavior were thoroughly investigated. Moreover, lithiated uranium oxides – most notably the electrochemically robust LiUO3 – were synthesized and demonstrated remarkable long-term stability in lithium-ion battery testing.

Altogether, this research highlights the powerful role of molecular precursor design in advancing actinide-based oxides as promising materials for emerging energy technologies.