Actinides have fascinating chemical properties due to the complex nature of their 5f electrons that may lead to unique catalytic, electronic, and optical properties.  Of particular interest is the development of novel actinide nanomaterials for use in advanced technologies and as geochemical model compounds to understanding the mobility of nuclear waste in environmental systems.  We use a variety of low-temperature synthesis techniques to create novel materials containing thorium (232Th) and uranium (238U) that are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, Raman and IR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis.