Research
Dr. Moreau is excited to begin her research program as a faculty member in the Fall of 2020. Her previous research efforts have focused on the synthesis of nanomaterials and use of X-ray and chemical characterization approaches to better understand their growth pathways, transformation mechanisms, and structure-property relationships. Specifically, her experience with synchrotron-based X-ray techniques, including X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and X-ray scattering has enabled her to probe compositional and structural evolution of nanoparticles on the atomic and nanometer length scales.
Moving forward, the focus of her research will be on understanding the nanoscale properties of f-element materials, particularly at their surfaces and interfaces, and the implications that their size and surface-dependent effects might have for the development of materials for energy applications and environmental considerations. Towards this end, group research areas will fall into three different categories: 1) Synthesis of core/shell and combinatorial transition-metal/f-element nanoparticles to observe how transition metal support structure can be tuned to affect structure and reactivity of f-element shell materials. 2) Interrogating the surface chemistry of actinide-based materials and the characteristics of their interfaces with proximal materials systems. And 3) Designing functional surface chemistry to control nanoparticle lifetime and degradation products. Efforts will involve development of in-situ measurement capabilities, which will require the design of sample cells and measurement configurations appropriate for characterization of chemical processes relevant to nuclear science in timecourse. Dr. Moreau’s group will work at the interface between fundamental nanoscale actinide chemistry and its implications towards the development of materials for catalysis, advanced nuclear fuels, and medical therapy, in addition to a richer understanding of the migration of actinides in the environment and how actinide surfaces interact with proximal materials.
Students in the Moreau group will gain experience in nanoparticle synthesis, f-element chemistry, X-ray spectroscopy, scattering and diffraction techniques, chemical characterization methods, electron microscopy, SQUID magnetometry, and the design and fabrication of functional sample containment. Students interested in being part of an interdisciplinary research team in nanochemistry, nuclear science and technology, and X-ray characterization are encouraged to contact Dr. Moreau.
Publications
- K.P. Carter, K.M. Shield, K.F. Smith, Z.R. Jones, J.N. Wacker, L. Arnedo-Sanchez, T.M. Mattox, L.M. Moreau, K.E. Knope, S.A. Kozimor, C.H. Booth, and R.J. Abergel, “Structural and spectroscopic characterization of an einsteinium complex,” Nature, 590, 85-88, 2021.
- Q. Yang, Y. Qiao, A. McSkimming, L.M. Moreau, T. Cheisson, C.H. Booth, E. Lapsheva, P.J. Carroll, and E.J. Schelter, “A hydrolytically stable Ce(IV) complex of glutarimide-dioxime,” Inorg. Chem. Front., 2021, Advance Article.
- Y. Qiao, H. Yin, L.M. Moreau, R. Feng, R.F. Higgins, B.C. Manor, P.J. Carroll, C.H. Booth, J. Autschbach, and E.J. Schelter, “Cerium(IV) complexes with guanidinate ligands: intense colors and anomalous electronic structures,” Chem. Sci., 2021, Advance Article.
- K.P. Carter, K.F. Smith, T. Tratnjek, G.J.P. Deblonde, L.M. Moreau, J.A. Rees, C.H. Booth and R.J. Abergel, “Controlling the reduction of chelated uranyl to stable tetravalent uranium coordination complexes in aqueous solution,” Inorg. Chem., 60, 973-981, 2021.
- A. He, E.L. Kunz Wille, L.M. Moreau, S.M. Thomas, J.M. Lawrence, E.D. Bauer, C.H. Booth, and S.M. Kauzlarich, “Intermediate Yb valence in the Zintl phases Yb14MSb11 (M = Zn, Mn, Mg): XANES, magnetism, and heat capacity,” Phys. Rev. Mater., 4, 114407, 2020.
- E. Balboni, K.F. Smith, L.M. Moreau, T.T. Li, M. Maloubier, C.H. Booth, A.B. Kersting, and M. Zavarin, “Transformation of ferrihydrite to goethite and the fate of plutonium,” ACS Earth Space Chem., 4, 1993-2006, 2020.
- L.M. Moreau, A. Herve, M.D. Straub, D.R. Russo, R.J. Abergel, S. Alayoglu, J. Arnold, A. Braun, G.J.P. Deblonde, Y. Liu, T.D. Lohrey, D.T. Olive, Y. Qiao, J.A. Rees, D.K. Shuh, S.J. Teat, C.H. Booth, and S.G. Minasian, “Structural properties of ultra-small thorium and uranium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in a covalent organic framework,” Chem. Sci., 11, 4648-4668, 2020.
- K.P. Carter, K.F. Smith, T. Tratnjek, K.M. Shield, L.M. Moreau, J.A. Rees, C.H. Booth, and R.J. Abergel, “Spontaneous chelation-driven reduction of the neptunyl cation in aqueous solution,” Chem. Eur. J., 26, 2020.
- P.L. Arnold, K. Wang, S.J. Gray, L.M. Moreau, C.H. Booth, M. Curcio, J.A.L. Wells, and A.M.Z. Slawin, “Dicerium letterbox-shaped tetraphenolates: f-block complexes designed for two-electron chemistry,” Dalton Trans., 49, 877-884, 2020.
- K. Krishnamoorthy, S. Kewalramani, A. Ehlen, L.M. Moreau, C.A. Mirkin, M. Olvera de la Cruz, and M.J. Bedzyk, “Enzymatic degradation of DNA probed by in-situ X-ray scattering,” ACS Nano, 13, 11382-11391, 2019.
- L.M. Moreau, M.R. Jones, E.W. Roth, J. Wu, S. Kewalramani, M.N. O’Brien, B.-R. Chen, C.A. Mirkin, and M.J. Bedzyk, “The role of trace Ag in the synthesis of Au nanorods,” Nanoscale, 11(24), 11744-11754, 2019.
- E.J. Kluender, J.L. Hedrick, K.A. Brown, R. Rao, B. Meckes, J.S. Du, L.M. Moreau, B. Maruyama, and C.A. Mirkin, “Catalyst discovery through megalibraries of nanomaterials,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 116(1), 40-45, 2019.
- K. Krishnamoorthy, K. Hoffmann, S. Kewalramani, J.D. Brodin, L.M. Moreau, C.A. Mirkin, M. Olvera de la Cruz, and M.J. Bedzyk, “Defining the structure of a protein-spherical nucleic acid conjugate and its counterionic cloud,” ACS Cent. Sci., 4(3), 378-386, 2018.
- L.M. Moreau, C.A. Schurman, S. Kewalramani, M.M. Shahjamali, C.A. Mirkin, and M.J. Bedzyk, “How Ag nanospheres are transformed into AgAu nanocages,” J. Am. Chem. Soc., 139, 12291-12298, 2017.
- S. Kewalramani, G.I. Guerrero-Garcia, L.M. Moreau, J. Zwanikken, C.A. Mirkin, M. Olvera de la Cruz, and M.J. Bedzyk, “Electrolyte-mediated assembly of charged nanoparticles,” ACS Cent. Sci., 2(4), 219-224, 2016.
- L.M. Moreau, D.-H. Ha, H. Zhang, R. Hovden, D. Muller, and R.D. Robinson, “Defining crystalline/amorphous phases of nanoparticles through X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction: the case of nickel phosphide,” Chem. Mater., 25, 2394-2403, 2013.
- D.-H. Ha, L.M. Moreau, S. Honrao, R.G. Hennig, and R.D. Robinson, “The oxidation of cobalt nanoparticles into Kirkendall-hollowed CoO and Co3O4: the diffusion mechanisms and atomic structural transformations,” J. Phys. Chem. C, 117, 14303-14312, 2013.
- L.M. Moreau, D.-H. Ha, C.R. Bealing, H. Zhang, R.G. Hennig, and R.D. Robinson, “Unintended phosphorus doping of nickel nanoparticles during synthesis with TOP: a discovery through structural analysis,” Nano Lett., 12, 4530-4539, 2012.
- D.-H. Ha, L.M. Moreau, C.R. Bealing, H. Zhang, R.G. Hennig, and R.D. Robinson, “The structural evolution and diffusion during the chemical transformation from cobalt to cobalt phosphide nanoparticles,” J. Mater. Chem., 21, 11498-11510, 2011.