The formation of aqueous Cm(III) nitrate complexes is studied in the temperature range from 5 to 200 • C by time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The experiments are performed in a custom build high pressure and high temperature fluorescence cell. The complex formation is measured at nitrate concentrations ranging from 0.10 to 4.61 mol/kg H 2 O. The mono-and dinitrate complexes are quantified by peak deconvolution of the fluorescence spectra and the complexation constants are determined as a function of the temperature. The conditional equilibrium constants are extrapolated to zero ionic strength using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT) and the thermodynamic standard state data (Δ r H • m , Δ r S • m , Δ r G • m , Δ r C • p,m ) are determined from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants at I = 0. The equilibrium constants up to 75 • C are well described by the Van't Hoff equation (Δ r H • m independent of T and Δ r C • p,m = 0). Modelling of the data at higher temperatures requires an extended equation including a term for the heat capacity changes (Δ r C • p,m ).

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The formation of [Cm(SO(4))(n)](3-2n) complexes (n = 1, 2, 3) in an aquatic solution is studied by time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy as a function of the ligand concentration, the ionic strength (NaClO(4)) and the temperature (25 to 200 °C). The experiments are performed in a custom-built high temperature cell for spectroscopic measurements at high pressures and temperatures. The single component spectra of the individual species are identified by slope analysis at every studied temperature and their molar fractions are determined by peak deconvolution of the emission spectra. The results show a strong shift of the chemical equilibrium towards the complexed species at increased temperatures. With the determined speciation, the conditional stepwise stability constants are calculated and extrapolated to zero ionic strength, using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT). The log K(0)(n)(T) values increase by several orders of magnitude in the studied temperature range. The fitting of the temperature dependency of the first and second stability constant (log K(0)(1) and log K(0)(2)) requires an extended van't Hoff equation, taking into account a constant heat capacity of the reaction (Δ(r)C(0)(p,m) = const.). Contrarily, the temperature dependency of the log K(0)(3) is very well described by the linear van't Hoff equation, assuming Δ(r)C(0)(p,m) = 0. Thus, the thermodynamic standard state data (Δ(r)H(0)(m), Δ(r)S(0)(m), Δ(r)C(0)(p,m)) of the stepwise complexation of Cm(III) with SO(4)(2-) are determined. Additionally, the ion interaction coefficients of the stepwise complexation reactions (Δε(n)) are determined as a function of the temperature. The fluorescence lifetimes of Cm(III) are recorded at different sulphate concentrations as a function of the temperature. The results give a strong indication that at T > 100 °C the first excited state of Cm(III) ((6)D'(7/2)) is effectively quenched by a temperature dependent enhancement of the energy transfer from the metal ion to OH vibrations of first shell water molecules.

The formation of hydrated CmF2+ and CmF2+ species in aqueous solutions are studied in the temperature range of 20−90 °C at different fluoride concentrations and at constant ionic strength as well as at constant fluoride concentration and different ionic strengths by means of time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The molar fractions of the Cm3+ aqua ion, CmF2+, and CmF2+ species are determined by peak deconvolution of the emission spectra. An increase of the mono- and difluoro complexes is observed with increasing fluoride concentration and/or increasing temperature. Using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT), the thermodynamic stability constants log K10 (CmF2+) and log K20 (CmF2+) as well as the values of Δε1 and Δε2 are determined as a function of temperature. The log K10 values increase from 3.56 ± 0.07 to 3.98 ± 0.06 and the log K20 values increase from 2.20 ± 0.84 to 3.34 ± 0.21 with increasing temperature from 20 to 90 °C. The value of Δε1 determined at 25 °C is in good agreement with literature data and shows a negligible temperature dependency in the studied temperature range. The value of Δε2 also shows only a moderate variation in the studied temperature range. The thermodynamic standard state data (ΔrHm0, ΔrSm0, ΔrGm0) are determined from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constants at Im = 0 using the integrated Van’t Hoff equation. The fluorescence lifetime of the 6D′7/2(Cm3+) state is found to be constant at 63 ± 5 μs with increasing fluoride concentration. A model based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations is introduced to account for the additional quenching occurring through the near second sphere waters in the [Cm(H2O)8F]2+(H2O)18 complex.