This proposal focuses on f-element electrochemistry in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The ultimate goal is to fully characterize the oxidation/reduction of elements in RTILs to establish the baseline thermodynamic and kinetic data for these systems. The data will be used to critically evaluate the ability to use electrochemical methods for controlled, potential mediated, separation off-elements by electroplating on electrodes surfaces. Factors that will influence the ability to measure the redox processes in f-elements in RTIL solutions and electroplating on electrode surfaces include the structure, solubility, and stability of the target species in these solutions. These factors will be addressed using a multidisciplinary research approach with techniques including UV/Vis, and FTIR spectroscopy which will provide structural and stability information. These studies will provide a comprehensive study of the use of RTIL systems in the electrochemical analysis and potential dependent separation of f-elements by electroplating. This research will address the need to demonstrate, by 2015, progress in understanding, modeling and controlling chemical reactivity and energy transfer processes in solutions at electrochemical interfaces using non-aqueous solutions comprised entirely of organic cations and inorganic/organic anions. Electrochemical studies will examine the interfacial electron transfer processes of f-elements and the potential dependent deposition of f-elements at electrode surfaces. These studies will probe the ability to use RTIL systems in the controlled, potential dependent, separation of f-elements species from complex mixtures
