3d-4f Assemblies

Leveraging the unique Lewis acid properties of lanthanide ions, we project targets the preparation of heteropolymetallic assemblies combining lanthanide ions and transition metals for small molecule activation. We develop new synthetic strategies to include Ln ions in d-f hetero-polymetallic chalcogenido clusters and explore their small molecule (CO2, NOx) activation properties, both in homogeneous conditions and heterogenized on conductive electrode supports.

In addition to investigate the catalytic performances of these complexes, we demonstrated that using WS42- and MoS42- as fully inorganic, redox active ligands for Ln ions enable an exceptional separation of Ln ions. Expanding on this concept, we are developing new strategies to recycle Eu from e-waste with separation factors over 1000 and recovery efficiency as high as 99%. We founded the startup Reecover to develop this process.