Design of an industrial process aiming at the production of boron 10 (10B) enriched boron carbide (B4C) is key to reach PPE 3 general strategic goals. Indeed, production of new Evolutionary Power Reactors (EPR) for electrical power output and Rapid Neutron Reactor (RNR) to ensure fuel cycle closure will put a tremendous strain on 10B enriched stocks.

Isotopic fractionation by means of boric acid liquid chromatography over an ad hoc material could be an industrially viable process. If anionic resins are strong historical candidates for this purpose the Laboratoire des Procédés Supercritiques et de Décontamination (LPSD) at CEA Marcoule focuses at developing original hybrid materials with enhanced properties.

The PhD work will focus on the synthesis and characterization (NMR, IR, LC-UV, GC) of organic molecules for the separation of boric acid boron isotopes. These molecules will be grafted over silicas to obtain hybrid materials with fine tuning of their physicochemical properties (SEM, BET, TGA, XRB, microscopy). Separative properties will be evaluated by column chromatography foreshadowing the industrial process.

This offer is aimed at a final year MSc student in organic synthesis or materials chemistry interested in the field of analytical and process development. The candidate should be meticulous and demonstrate analytical thinking. This is an opportunity to develop an expertise in organic synthesis applied to the production of hybrid material applicable to the development of an industrial process.