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Ruthenium Volatilisation in Nuclear Waste Systems -Comparison of Ru(III)Cl{sub 3} and Ru(III)NO(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} - 17113

Ruthenium is a fission product possessed of two relatively long lived isotopes; {sup 103}Ru and {sup 106}Ru, both of which form part of the Highly Active (HA) waste raffinate during spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. During reprocessing, ruthenium, which may be in the form of the RuNO{sub 3}+ complex, encounters temperatures conducive to volatilisation. Due to ruthenium's high specific radioactivity it is important to understand the mechanism by which volatilisation occurs. Here we use combined cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical micro-gravimetry experiments in a study of both NO free Ru (III), in the form of a RuCl{sub 3} solution and NO complexed Ru (III), in the form of RuNO{sub 3}+ solutions. We do this in order to establish baseline behaviour of NO free Ru (III) and compare it to NO complexed Ru (III) to determine the effect of complexation on the system. We have observed discrete oxidations in both systems from solution phase Ru (III) to solid phase RuO{sub 2} and volatile RuO{sub 4}. Two key differences emerged between the two systems, the first being the mass changes associated with deposition and stripping of RuO{sub 2} are significantly smaller in the RuNO{sub 3}+ solutions than those for solutions of RuCl{sub 3}. The second difference is the difference in onset of volatile RuO{sub 4} generation, in the RuNO{sub 3}+ solution, RuO{sub 4} generation is 100 mV positive than that for the RuCl{sub 3} solution. This suggests NO complexation protects Ru (III) against oxidation and, to a certain extent, volatilisation as RuO{sub 4}. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

A photochemical proposal for the preparation of ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films from β-diketonate complex precursors

Highlights: • ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films were prepared by photo-chemical method. • The Zn(II), Mg(II) and Al(III) β-diketonate complexes were used as precursors. • The photochemical reaction was monitored by UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. • The results reveal spinel oxide formation and the generation of intermediate products. - Abstract: ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} thin films were grown on Si(100) and quartz plate substrates using a photochemical method in the solid phase with thin films of β-diketonate complexes as the precursors. The films were deposited by spin-coating and subsequently photolyzed at room temperature using 254 nm UV light. The photolysis of these films results in the deposition of metal oxide thin films and fragmentation of the ligands from the coordination sphere of the complexes. The obtained samples were post-annealed at different temperatures (350–1100 °C) for 2 h and characterized by FT-Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force miscroscopy (AFM), and UV–vis spectroscopy. The results indicate the formation of spinel-type structures and other phases. These characteristics determined the quality of the films, which were obtained from the photodeposition of ternary metal oxides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Hydrogen Bonding Rescues Overpotential in Seven-Coordinated Ru Water Oxidation Catalysts

In this paper, we describe the synthesis, structural characterization, and redox properties of two new Ru complexes containing the dianionic potentially pentadentate [2,2':6',2"-terpyridine]-6,6"-dicarboxylate (tda 2– ) ligand that coordinates Ru at the equatorial plane and with additional pyridine or dmso acting as monondentate ligand in the axial positions: [Ru II (tda-κ-N 3 O)(py)(dmso)], 1 II and [Ru III (tda-κ-N 3 O 2 )(py)(H 2 O) ax ] + , 2 III (H 2 O) + . Complex 1 II has been characterized by single-crystal XRD in the solid state and in solution by NMR spectroscopy. The redox properties of 1 II and 2 III (H 2 O) + have been thoroughly investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Complex 2 II (H 2 O) displays poor catalytic activity with regard to the oxidation of water to dioxygen, and its properties have been analyzed on the basis of foot of the wave analysis and catalytic Tafel plots. The activity of 2 II (H 2 O) has been compared with related water oxidation catalysts (WOCs) previously described in the literature. Despite its moderate activity, 2 II (H 2 O) constitutes the cornerstone that has triggered the rationalization of the different factors that govern overpotentials as well as efficiencies in molecular WOCs. The present work uncovers the interplay between different parameters, namely, coordination number, number of anionic groups bonded to the first-coordination sphere of the metal center, water oxidation catalysis overpotential, p K a and hydrogen bonding, and the performance of a given WOC. It thus establishes the basic principles for the design of efficient WOCs operating at low overpotentials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Improved Guarantees for Optimal Nash Equilibrium Seeking and Bilevel Variational Inequalities

We consider a class of hierarchical variational inequality (VI) problems that subsumes VI-constrained optimization and several other problem classes, including the optimal solution selection problem and the optimal Nash equilibrium (NE) seeking problem. Our main contribution is threefold. (i) We consider bilevel VIs with monotone and Lipschitz continuous mappings and devise a single-timescale iteratively regularized extragradient method, named IR-EG 𝚖,𝚖 . We improve the existing iteration complexity results for addressing both bilevel VI and VI-constrained convex optimization problems. (ii) Under the strong monotonicity of the outer-level mapping, we develop a method named IR-EG 𝚜,𝚖 and derive faster guarantees than those in (i). We also study the iteration complexity of this method under a constant regularization parameter. These results appear to be new for both bilevel VIs and VI-constrained optimization. (iii) To our knowledge, complexity guarantees for computing the optimal NE in nonconvex settings do not exist. Motivated by this lacuna, we consider VI-constrained nonconvex optimization problems and devise an inexactly projected gradient method, named IPR-EG, where the projection onto the unknown set of equilibria is performed using IR-EG 𝚜,𝚖 with a prescribed termination criterion and an adaptive regularization parameter. We obtain new complexity guarantees in terms of a residual map and an infeasibility metric for computing a stationary point. Here, we validate the theoretical findings using preliminary numerical experiments for computing the best and the worst NEs.

bilevel optimization↗

III-V PV Cell Core Capability (Final Technical Report)

This Core project developed III-V photovoltaics for terrestrial applications, focusing on high efficiency architectures and on cost-reduction. III-V cells have demonstrated the highest efficiencies of any photovoltaic materials system, reaching over 30% for two- junction tandems and over 47% for more complex concentrator cells. III-Vs have other characteristics that make them attractive to a range of terrestrial and near-terrestrial energy applications, such as being direct absorbers, lightweight and potentially flexible, having good thermal coefficient, good radiation hardness, and being very stable and durable. Cost is a key challenge with III-Vs, however, because of the high cost of epitaxy and processing.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Exploring the Role of Neutral 4-Amino-1,2,4-triazole in the Formation of Hexanuclear f-Element Hydrolysis Products

Our recent observations of an unexpected Ce(III) hydrolysis product from the reaction of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole (4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz) with CeCl 3 ·7H 2 O, [Ce 6 (μ 3 -O) 4 (μ 3 -OH) 2 (μ 3 -Cl) 2 (Cl) 6 (μ 2 -4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz) 12 ]·7H 2 O, the first high-nuclearity lanthanide complex where all Ln atoms are connected pairwise through 12 N-donor ligands or 12 neutral bridging ligands of any type, prompted us to explore the utility of this ligand in trapping additional f-element examples. Reactions of LnCl 3 ·6H 2 O (Ln = Nd, Eu, Ho) with a large excess of 4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz (20 equiv) and with the addition of small amounts of water to help solubilize the metal salts led to the isolation of the unique hydrolysis products [Nd 6 (μ 3 -OH) 8 Cl 6 (μ 2 -4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz) 12 ][Cl 4 ]·2H 2 O, [Eu 6 (μ 6 -Cl) 0.23 (μ 3 -O 0.77 ) 4 (μ 3 -O) 2.6 (μ 3 -Cl) 0.4 Cl 6 (μ 2 -4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz) 12 ], and [Ho 6 (μ 6 -Cl) 0.21 (μ 3 -O 0.79 ) 4 (μ 3 -OH) 2 Cl 6 (μ 2 -4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz) 12 ][Cl] 3.4 . Here, we also report a Ce(III) analogue prepared in glassware contaminated with Pb(OAc) 2 , namely, [Ce 6 (μ 3 -OH) 8 (BrPbBr 5 )(μ 2 -4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz) 11.5 (OH 2 ) 6 ][Pb 0.84 Br 4.2 ][Br] 3.8 ·2(4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz)·3.6H 2 O. The Nd(III) complex is the structurally most ordered with a clear [Nd 6 (μ 3 -OH) 8 ] cluster core, while the Eu(III) and Ho(III) compounds contain partial occupancy of a μ 6 position and thus result in an incomplete Ln 6 O 9 cluster core formation. The crystallographic results suggest that the 4-NH 2 -1,2,4-Triaz ligand brings Ln(III) ions together, followed by the formation of an Ln 6 O 8 or Ln 6 O 9 core with whatever remaining anions or ligands can be incorporated. Given the complexity of the hydrolysis products of nuclear waste, we expect to continue to find a myriad of closely related complex structures of these types for the f-elements.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Pendent Relay Enhances H 2 O 2 Selectivity during Dioxygen Reduction Mediated by Bipyridine-Based Co–N 2 O 2 Complexes

Generally, cobalt–N 2 O 2 complexes show selectivity for hydrogen peroxide during electrochemical dioxygen (O 2 ) reduction. We recently reported a Co(III)–N 2 O 2 complex with a 2,2'-bipyridine-based ligand backbone which showed alternative selectivity: H 2 O was observed as the primary reduction product from O 2 (71 ± 5%) with decamethylferrocene as a chemical reductant and acetic acid as a proton donor in methanol solution. We hypothesized that the key selectivity difference in this case arises in part from increased favorability of protonation at the distal O position of the key intermediate Co(III)–hydroperoxide species. To interrogate this hypothesis, in this study we have prepared a new Co(III) compound that contains pendent –OMe groups poised to direct protonation toward the proximal O atom of this hydroperoxo intermediate. Mechanistic studies in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution reveal two regimes are possible in the catalytic response, dependent on added acid strength and the presence of the pendent proton donor relay. In the presence of stronger acids, the activity of the complex containing pendent relays becomes O 2 dependent, implying a shift to Co(III)–superoxide protonation as the rate-determining step. Interestingly, the inclusion of the relay results in primarily H 2 O 2 production in MeCN, despite minimal difference between the standard reduction potentials of the three complexes tested. EPR spectroscopic studies indicate the formation of Co(III)–superoxide species in the presence of exogenous base, with greater O 2 reactivity observed in the presence of the pendent –OMe groups.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Explorations of the nonheme high-valent iron-oxo landscape: crystal structure of a synthetic complex with an [Fe IV 2 (μ-O) 2 ] diamond core relevant to the chemistry of sMMOH

Methanotrophic bacteria utilize methane monooxygenase (MMO) to carry out the first step in metabolizing methane. The soluble enzymes employ a hydroxylase component (sMMOH) with a nonheme diiron active site that activates O 2 and generates a powerful oxidant capable of converting methane to methanol. It is proposed that the diiron(II) center in the reduced enzyme reacts with O 2 to generate a diferric-peroxo intermediate called P that then undergoes O–O cleavage to convert into a diiron(IV) derivative called Q, which carries out methane hydroxylation. Most (but not all) of the spectroscopic data of Q accumulated by various groups to date favor the presence of an Fe IV 2 (μ-O) 2 unit with a diamond core. The Que lab has had a long-term interest in making synthetic analogs of iron enzyme intermediates. To this end, the first crystal structure of a complex with a Fe III Fe IV (μ-O) 2 diamond core was reported in 1999, which exhibited an Fe∙∙∙Fe distance of 2.683(1) Å. Now more than 20 years later, a complex with an Fe IV 2 (μ-O) 2 diamond core has been synthesized in sufficient purity to allow diffraction-quality crystals to be grown. Finally, its crystal structure has been solved, revealing an Fe∙∙∙Fe distance of 2.711(4) Å for comparison with structural data for related complexes with lower iron oxidation states.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Complexation and Redox Buffering of Iron(II) by Dissolved Organic Matter

Iron (Fe) bioavailability depends upon its solubility and oxidation state, which are strongly influenced by complexation with natural organic matter (NOM). Despite observations of Fe(II)-NOM associations under conditions favorable for Fe oxidation, the molecular mechanisms by which NOM influences Fe(II) oxidation remain poorly understood. In this study, we used X-ray absorption spectroscopy to determine the coordination environment of Fe(II) associated with NOM (as-received and chemically reduced) at pH 7, and investigated the effect of NOM complexation on Fe(II) redox stability. Linear combination fitting of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data using reference organic ligands demonstrated that Fe(II) was complexed primarily by carboxyl functional groups in reduced NOM. Functional groups more likely to preserve Fe(II) represent much smaller fractions of NOM-bound Fe(II). Fe(II) added to anoxic solutions of as-received NOM oxidized to Fe(III) and remained organically complexed. Iron oxidation experiments revealed that the presence of reduced NOM limited Fe(II) oxidation, with over 50% of initial Fe(II) remaining after 4 h. Furthermore, these results suggest reduced NOM may preserve Fe(II) by functioning both as redox buffer and complexant, which may help explain the presence of Fe(II) in oxic circumneutral waters.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploring the Role of Glycans in the Interaction of SARS-CoV-2 RBD and Human Receptor ACE2

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It has become a global pandemic and its frequent mutations may pose new challenges for vaccine design. During viral infection, the Spike RBD of SARS-CoV-2 binds the human host cell receptor ACE2, enabling the virus to enter the host cell. Both the Spike and ACE2 are densely glycosylated, and it is unclear how distinctive glycan types may modulate the interaction of RBD and ACE2. Detailed understanding of these determinants is key for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. To this end, we perform extensive all-atom simulations of the (i) RBD-ACE2 complex without glycans, (ii) RBD-ACE2 with oligomannose MAN9 glycans in ACE2, and (iii) RBD-ACE2 with complex FA2 glycans in ACE2. These simulations identify the key residues at the RBD-ACE2 interface that form contacts with higher probabilities, thus providing a quantitative evaluation that complements recent structural studies. Notably, we find that this RBD-ACE2 contact signature is not altered by the presence of different glycoforms, suggesting that RBD-ACE2 interaction is robust. Applying our simulated results, we illustrate how the recently prevalent N501Y mutation may alter specific interactions with host ACE2 that facilitate the virus-host binding. Furthermore, our simulations reveal how the glycan on Asn90 of ACE2 can play a distinct role in the binding and unbinding of RBD. Finally, an energetics analysis shows that MAN9 glycans on ACE2 decrease RBD-ACE2 affinity, while FA2 glycans lead to enhanced binding of the complex. Together, our results provide a more comprehensive picture of the detailed interplay between virus and human receptor, which is much needed for the discovery of effective treatments that aim at modulating the physical-chemical properties of this virus.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Magnetic Transitions in Iron Porphyrin Halides by Inelastic Neutron Scattering and Ab-initio Studies of Zero-Field Splittings

Zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of nondeuterated metalloporphyrins [Fe(TPP)X] (X = F, Br, I; H 2 TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin) are determined by inelastic neutron scattering (INS). The ZFS values are D = 4.49(9) cm –1 for tetragonal polycrystalline [Fe(TPP)F], and D = 8.8(2) cm –1 , E = 0.1(2) cm –1 and D = 13.4(6) cm –1 , E = 0.3(6) cm –1 for monoclinic polycrystalline [Fe(TPP)Br] and [Fe(TPP)I], respectively. Along with our recent report of the ZFS value of D = 6.33(8) cm –1 for tetragonal polycrystalline [Fe(TPP)Cl], these data provide a rare, complete determination of ZFS parameters in a metalloporphyrin halide series. The electronic structure of [Fe(TPP)X] (X = F, Cl, Br, I) has been studied by multireference ab initio methods: the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and the N-electron valence perturbation theory (NEVPT2) with the aim of exploring the origin of the large and positive zero-field splitting D of the 6 A 1 ground state. D was calculated from wave functions of the electronic multiplets spanned by the d 5 configuration of Fe(III) along with spin–orbit coupling accounted for by quasi degenerate perturbation theory. Results reproduce trends of D from inelastic neutron scattering data increasing in the order from F, Cl, Br, to I. A mapping of energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the S = 3/2 excited states on ligand field theory was used to characterize the σ- and π-antibonding effects decreasing from F to I. This is in agreement with similar results deduced from ab initio calculations on CrX 6 3- complexes and also with the spectrochemical series showing a decrease of the ligand field in the same directions. A correlation is found between the increase of D and decrease of the π- and σ-antibonding energies e λ X (λ = σ, π) in the series from X = F to I. Analysis of this correlation using second-order perturbation theory expressions in terms of angular overlap parameters rationalizes the experimentally deduced trend. Furthermore, D parameters from CASSCF and NEVPT2 results have been calibrated against those from the INS data, yielding a predictive power of these approaches. Methods to improve the quantitative agreement between ab initio calculated and experimental D and spectroscopic transitions for high-spin Fe(III) complexes are proposed.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Hydride oxidation from a titanium–aluminum bimetallic complex: insertion, thermal and electrochemical reactivity

We report the synthesis and reactivity of paramagnetic heterometallic complexes containing a Ti(III)-μ-H-Al(III) moiety. Combining different stoichiometries amounts of Cp 2 TiCl and KH 3 AlC(TMS) 3 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, TMS = trimethylsilyl) resulted in the formation of either bimetallic Cp 2 Ti(μ-H) 2 (H)AlC(TMS) 3 (2) or trimetallic (Cp 2 Ti) 2 (μ-H) 3 (H)AlC(TMS) 3 (3) via salt metathesis pathways. While these complexes were indefinitely stable at room temperature, the bridging hydrides were readily activated upon exposure to heteroallenes, heating, or electrochemical oxidation. In each case, formal hydride oxidation occurred, but the isolated product maintained the +3 oxidation state at both metal centers. The nature of this reactivity was explored using deuterium labelling experiments and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. It was found that while C–H activation from the Ti(III) bimetallic may occur through a σ-bond metathesis pathway, chemical oxidation to Ti(IV) promotes bimolecular reductive elimination of dihydrogen to form a Ti(III) product.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Retention mechanisms of citric acid in ternary kaolinite-Fe(III)-citrate acid systems using Fe K-edge EXAFS and L 3,2 -edge XANES spectroscopy

Organic carbon (OC) stability in tropical soils is strongly interlinked with multivalent cation interaction and mineral association. Low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) represent the readily biodegradable OC. Therefore, investigating retention mechanisms of LMWOAs in mineral-cation-LMWOAs systems is critical to understanding soil C cycling. Given the general acidic conditions and dominance of kaolinite in tropical soils, we investigated the retention mechanisms of citric acid (CA) in kaolinite-Fe(III)-CA systems with various Fe/CA molar ratios at pH ~3.5 using Fe K-edge EXAFS and L- 3,2 -edge XANES techniques. With Fe/CA molar ratios >2, the formed ferrihydrite mainly contributed to CA retention through adsorption and/or coprecipitation. With Fe/CA molar ratios from 2 to 0.5, ternary complexation of CA to kaolinite via a five-coordinated Fe(III) bridge retained higher CA than ferrihydrite-induced adsorption and/or coprecipitation. With Fe/CA molar ratios ≤ 0.5, kaolinite-Fe(III)-citrate complexation preferentially occurred, but less CA was retained than via outer-sphere kaolinite-CA complexation. This study highlighted the significant impact of varied Fe/CA molar ratios on CA retention mechanisms in kaolinite-Fe(III)-CA systems under acidic conditions, and clearly showed the important contribution of Fe-bridged ternary complexation on CA retention. In conclusion, these findings will enhance our understanding of the dynamics of CA and other LMWOAs in tropical soils.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Heteronuclear complexation in the system 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid—manganese(II)—gadolinium(III) in aqueous solution

pH-Potentiometric method in combination with mathematical modeling was used to study the system manganese(II)—gadolinium(III)—1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (HEDP, H{sub 4}L). When both cations simultaneously are present in the solution, the accumulation of heteronuclear forms with the ratio of Gd: Mn: HEDP equal to 1: 1: 1, 1: 1: 2, and 1: 1: 3 was observed already in the strongly acidic pH region, while from homonuclear forms only five complexes were detected in the solution, namely, MnL{sub 2}{sup 6–}, GdH{sub 4}L{sub 2}{sup –}, GdH{sub 2}L{sup +}, KGd{sub 2}HL{sub 2}↓, and K{sub 3}Gd{sub 2}L{sub 2}(OH)↓. It was concluded that heteronuclear complexes are much stronger and replace homonuclear forms in solution.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗