In the heart of Beijing, within the China Institute of Atomic Energy, a team of researchers led by Xue-jie Sun has been delving into the intricate world of nuclear and radiochemistry, unearthing advancements that could significantly impact the future of nuclear energy and national security. Their work, recently published in *He huaxue yu fangshe huaxue* (translated as “Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry”), offers a comprehensive review of the past 70 years of progress in these fundamental disciplines, while also casting an eye towards future directions.
Nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry, as Sun explains, are the bedrock of nuclear safety and sustainable energy development. “They are the fundamental support for the continuous development of nuclear basic research, nuclear fuel cycle system improvement, and nuclear energy development,” Sun asserts. By employing chemical methods to study nuclear properties and vice versa, these disciplines encompass a wide range of research scopes, from the structures of nuclei to the chemical effects during nuclear transformation.
The research review highlights significant achievements in areas such as fission chemistry, nuclear data measurement, and the rapid separation of short-lived nuclides. These advancements are not merely academic; they hold substantial commercial implications for the energy sector. For instance, the development of rapid radiochemical separation technologies could lead to more efficient processing of nuclear fuels, reducing costs and improving safety.
Moreover, the synthesis of new nuclides and the preparation of medical isotopes open up avenues for innovative applications in healthcare, further broadening the commercial impact of these research endeavors. As Sun notes, “The future directions will focus on the fission chemistry of plutonium and transplutonium elements, rapid radiochemical separation technology for short-lived nuclides, and the design of new ligands and functional materials.”
However, the journey is not without its challenges. Sun acknowledges that while China’s progress in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry has been rapid, there is still room for improvement in theoretical and technological innovation. “Compared with foreign countries, previous work in China has placed more emphasis on application-oriented research and insufficient attention on basic research,” Sun observes. This imbalance has, to some extent, affected China’s original innovation capability in the field.
To bridge this gap, Sun advocates for increased interdisciplinary research and the exploration of radioanalytical chemistry methods in emerging fields. With China’s growing emphasis on innovative development, basic research related to nuclear chemistry and radiation is poised for rapid and significant progress.
As the world grapples with the pressing need for sustainable energy solutions, the work of Sun and her team at the China Institute of Atomic Energy shines a light on the critical role that nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry play in shaping the future of the energy sector. Their research not only underscores the importance of these disciplines but also paves the way for groundbreaking advancements that could redefine the landscape of nuclear energy and beyond.