Doctoral Dissertations

Abstract

As the consumption of energy continues to rise globally, so too has interest in alternative energy sources such as nuclear power. However, a fundamental understanding of the actinide series is needed in order to safely and efficiently utilize these elements. Rotational or microwave spectroscopy, depending on if one is speaking of the physical outcome of the experiment or the region of the electromagnetic spectrum being operated in, is a gas phase molecular study utilized for structural determination. This technique can be utilized to gain an in depth understanding of bonding within the actinide series. However, when studying species that are not found in the gas phase at ambient conditions, one must employ the use of exotic sourcing techniques to promote them to the gas phase for study. Metal containing species in this study employs the use of a high energy density laser to ablate a portion of a metal to enable gas phase study. This work aims to explain the general theory of microwave spectroscopy, describe the experimental process and instrumentation utilized, as well as explore the structural determination of five metal containing species: Thorium sulfide (ThS, hafnium sulfide (HfS), thorium oxysulfide (OThS), cerium oxysulfide (OCeS), and uranium dioxysulfide (SUO2).

Advisor(s)

Grubbs, Garry S.

Committee Member(s)

Winiarz, Jeffrey G.
Donnell, Kristen M.
Dawes, Richard
Cooke, Stephen

Department(s)

Chemistry

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemistry

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Fall 2025

Pagination

x, 85 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 80-83)

Rights

© 2025 Joshua Edward Isert , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12568

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