Dr. Jan Tits

Scientist
Telephone
+41 56 310 43 14
Paul Scherrer Institute PSI
Forschungsstrasse 111
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland
Digitale Visitenkarte


1986-1990: Doctor in Agricultural Sciences (Dr. Agr. Sci.). Faculty of Agronomy, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. Thesis director: Prof. A. Maes. Thesis: “Characterisation of Soil Humic Substances; Relevance for Zinc Speciation in Soils”.

1980 – 1986: Agriculture and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
1992 – present: Research scientist in the Laboratory for Waste Management (LES), Nuclear Energy and safety Division (NES) at the Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.

2004 Sabbatical: International fellow at the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC), Tokai-Mura, Ibaraki, Japan. Research topic: “Immobilisation of radium in cementitious environments”

1990-1992: Post-doctoral fellow (Euratom Marie-Curie Fellowship) Commisariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France Research field : “Complexation Studies of Actinides with Organic Ligands using Laser Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy”.

1986 – 1990: Research assistant at the Laboratory of Colloid Chemistry, Katholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
  • Cement chemistry: Cement chemistry and the chemical behaviour of radionuclides in cementitious (highly alkaline) environments.
  • Redox processes: Influence of redox processes on the sorption behaviour of radionuclides.
  • Solid solutions: Experimental studies on radionuclide immobilisation through solid solution formation.
  • Optical spectroscopy: Application of optical spectroscopy techniques (UV-VIS-NIR, Time-Resolved Laser-Fluorescence Spectroscopy,…) in studies concerning the above-mentioned research fields.
  • Lothenbach B, Nedyalkova L, Wieland E, Mäder U, Rojo H, Tits J
    Sorption of Se(VI) and Se(IV) on AFm phases
    Applied Geochemistry. 2024; 175: 106177 (15 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2024.106177
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Curti E, Laube A, Wieland E, Provis JL
    Sorption of 32Si and 45Ca by isotopic exchange during recrystallisation of cement phases
    Applied Geochemistry. 2024; 173: 106117 (15 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2024.106117
    DORA PSI
  • Mundra S, Tits J, Wieland E, Angst UM
    Aerobic and anaerobic oxidation of ferrous ions in near-neutral solutions
    Chemosphere. 2023; 335: 138955 (12 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138955
    DORA PSI
  • Miron GD, Kulik DA, Lothenbach B, Tits J
    A new CASH+ solid solution model for cation uptake in cementitious materials used in wastemanagement
    Presented at: NUWCEM 2022 - international symposium on cement-based materials for nuclear wastes; May 4-6, 2022; Avignon.
    DORA PSI
  • Miron GD, Kulik DA, Yan Y, Tits J, Lothenbach B
    Extensions of CASH+ thermodynamic solid solution model for the uptake of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals in C-S-H
    Cement and Concrete Research. 2022; 152: 106667 (27 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2021.106667
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Tits J, Renaudin G, Wieland E, Mäder U, Lothenbach B
    Mechanisms and thermodynamic modelling of iodide sorption on AFm phases
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2022; 608: 683-691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2021.09.104
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Tits J, Bernard E, Wieland E, Mäder U
    Sorption experiments with HTO, 36-Cl, 125-I and 14-C labeled formate on aged cement matrices retrieved from long-term in-situ rock laboratory experiments
    Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology. 2021; 19(7): 811-829. https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.19.811
    DORA PSI
  • Grambow B, López-García M, Olmeda J, Grivé M, Marty NCM, Grangeon S, et al.
    Retention and diffusion of radioactive and toxic species on cementitious systems: main outcome of the CEBAMA project
    Applied Geochemistry. 2020; 112: 104480 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104480
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Lothenbach B, Geng G, Mäder U, Tits J
    Uptake of iodide by calcium aluminate phases (AFm phases)
    Applied Geochemistry. 2020; 116: 104559 (13 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2020.104559
    DORA PSI
  • Guillemot T, Wieland E, Kunz D, Tits J, Salazar G, Szidat S
    Corrosion of irradiated steel in cementitious environment: speciation of carbon-14
    Presented at: 5th International workshop on mechanisms and modelling of waste / cement interaction; March 25-27, 2019; Karlsruhe, Germany.
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Lothenbach B, Tits J, Wieland E, Mäder U
    Effect of redox conditions on sulfur and selenium binding in AFm phases
    In: Altmaier M, Montoya V, Duro L, Valls A, eds. Proceedings of the second workshop of the Horizon 2020 CEBAMA Project. Vol. 7752. KIT scientific reports. Karlsruhe: KIT Scientific Publishing; 2019:219-227. https://doi.org/10.5445/KSP/1000084618
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Lothenbach B, Renaudin G, Mäder U, Tits J
    Effect of redox conditions on the structure and solubility of sulfur- and selenium-AFm phases
    Cement and Concrete Research. 2019; 123: 105803 (14 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.105803
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Lothenbach B, Wieland E, Mäder U, Tits J
    Iodine uptake by AFm phases
    Presented at: 5th international workshop on mechanisms and modelling of waste / cement interaction; March 25-27, 2019; Karlsruhe, Germany.
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E
    Formate and acetate stability under repository relevant conditions: what can we learn from the literature?
    Presented at: 5th International workshop on mechanisms and modelling of waste / cement interaction; March 25-27, 2019; Karlsruhe, Germany.
    DORA PSI
  • Cvetković BZ, Salazar G, Kunz D, Tits J, Szidat S, Wieland E
    Quantification of dissolved organic 14C-containing compounds by accelerator mass spectrometry in a corrosion experiment with irradiated steel
    Radiocarbon. 2018; 60(6): 1711-1727. https://doi.org/10.1017/RDC.2018.90
    DORA PSI
  • Lösch H, Tits J, Huittinen N
    Uranium(VI) complexation with aqueous silicates in the acidic to alkaline pH-range
    In: Plutonium futures: the science 2018. La Grange Park, USA: American Nuclear Society (ANS); 2018:161-162.
    DORA PSI
  • Rojo H, Scheinost AC, Lothenbach B, Laube A, Wieland E, Tits J
    Retention of selenium by calcium aluminate hydrate (AFm) phases under strongly-reducing radioactive waste repository conditions
    Dalton Transactions. 2018; 47(12): 4209-4218. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7dt04824f
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E
    Actinide sorption by cementitious materials
    Villigen PSI, Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institut; 2018. PSI Bericht: 18-02.
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Kunz D, Cvetkovic BZ, Laube A, Wieland E
    Chemical stability of formate in anoxic and reducing alkaline cement pore waters
    Presented at: NUWCEM 2018; 24-26 October, 2018; Avignon, France.
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Cvetković BZ, Kunz D, Thoenen A
    Chemical stability of low molecular weight organic compounds in the cementitious near field of a repository for radioactive waste
    Presented at: European Commission "CAST (CArbon-14 Source Term)" project. Final symposium; January 16-18, 2018; Lyon, France.
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Kunz D, Laube A, Wieland E
    Chemical stability of 14C-containing low molecular weight organic compounds in the cementitious near-field of a radioactive waste repository
    Presented at: MIGRATION 2017 - 16th international conference on the chemistry and migration behaviour of actinides and fission products in the geosphere; September 10-15, 2017; Barcelona, Spain.
    DORA PSI
  • Nedyalkova L, Lothenbach B, Tits J, Wieland E, Mäder U
    Uptake of sulfur, selenium and iodine in AFm phases
    Presented at: 4th International workshop on mechanisms and modelling of waste / cement interactions; May 22-25, 2016; Murten, Switzerland.
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Jakob A, Tits J, Lothenbach B, Kunz D
    Interaction of low molecular weight organic compounds with hardened cement paste
    Presented at: 4th International workshop on mechanisms and modelling of waste / cement interactions; May 22-25, 2016; Murten, Switzerland.
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Jakob A, Tits J, Lothenbach B, Kunz D
    Sorption and diffusion studies with low molecular weight organic compounds in cementitious systems
    Applied Geochemistry. 2016; 67: 101-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.01.009
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Walther C, Stumpf T, Macé N, Wieland E
    A luminescence line-narrowing spectroscopic study of the uranium(vi) interaction with cementitious materials and titanium dioxide
    Dalton Transactions. 2015; 44(3): 966-976. https://doi.org/10.1039/c4dt02172j
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Rojo H, Scheinost AC, Lothenbach B, Wieland E
    Selenium uptake by cementitious materials: effect of the redox state
    Presented at: 15th International conference on the chemistry and migration behaviour of actinides and fission products in the geosphere (Migration 2015); September 13-18, 2015; Santa Fe, USA.
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Gaona X, Laube A, Wieland E
    Influence of the redox state on the neptunium sorption under alkaline conditions: batch sorption studies on titanium dioxide and calcium silicate hydrates
    Radiochimica Acta. 2014; 102(5): 385-400. https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2013-2151
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Fujita T, Harfouche M, Dähn R, Tsukamoto M, Wieland E
    Radionuclide uptake by calcium silicate hydrates: case studies with Th(IV) and U(VI)
    Villigen: Paul Scherrer Institut; 2014. PSI Bericht: 14-03.
    DORA PSI
  • Gaona X, Wieland E, Tits J, Scheinost AC, Dähn R
    Np(V/VI) redox chemistry in cementitious systems: XAFS investigations on the speciation under anoxic and oxidizing conditions
    Applied Geochemistry. 2013; 28: 109-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2012.10.024
    DORA PSI
  • Macé N, Wieland E, Dähn R, Tits J, Scheinost AC
    EXAFS investigation on U(VI) immobilization in hardened cement paste: influence of experimental conditions on speciation
    Radiochimica Acta. 2013; 101(6): 379-389. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2013.2024
    DORA PSI
  • Rojo H, Tits J, Gaona X, Garcia-Gutiérrez M, Missana T, Wieland E
    Thermodynamics of Np(IV) complexes with gluconic acid under alkaline conditions: sorption studies
    Radiochimica Acta. 2013; 101(3): 133-138. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2013.2022
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Dähn R, Gaona X, Macé N, Tits J
    Micro- and macroscopic investigations of actinide binding in cementitious materials  
    In: Bart F, Cau-di-Coumes C, Frizon F, Lorente S, eds. Cement-based materials for nuclear waste storage. New York: Springer; 2013:93-101. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3445-0_9
    DORA PSI
  • Gaona X, Tits J, Dardenne K, Liu X, Rothe J, Denecke MA, et al.
    Spectroscopic investigations of Np(V/VI) redox speciation in hyperalkaline TMA-(OH, Cl) solutions
    Radiochimica Acta. 2012; 100(10): 759-770. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2012.1948
    DORA PSI
  • Gaona X, Dähn R, Tits J, Scheinost AC, Wieland E
    Uptake of Np(IV) by C-S-H phases and cement paste: An EXAFS study
    Environmental Science and Technology. 2011; 45(20): 8765-8771. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2012897
    DORA PSI
  • Mandaliev P, Stumpf T, Tits J, Dähn R, Walther C, Wieland E
    Uptake of Eu(III) by 11 Å tobermorite and xonotlite: A TRLFS and EXAFS study
    Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2011; 75(8): 2017-2029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.10.028
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Geipel G, Macé N, Eilzer M, Wieland E
    Determination of uranium(VI) sorbed species in calcium silicate hydrate phases: A laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy and batch sorption study
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2011; 359(1): 248-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2011.03.046
    DORA PSI
  • Curti E, Fujiwara K, Iijima K, Tits J, Cuesta C, Kitamura A, et al.
    Radium uptake during barite recrystallization at 23 ± 2 °C as a function of solution composition: an experimental 133Ba and 226Ra tracer study
    Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2010; 74(12): 3553-3570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2010.03.018
    DORA PSI
  • Gaona X, Altmaier M, Petrov V, Fellhauer D, Tits J, Wieland E, et al.
    Aqueous speciation and solubility of Np(V/VI) in hyperalkaline systems
    In: Photonium features - the science 2010. Plutonium futures - the science 2010. La Grange Park: American Nuclear Society; 2010:123-124.
    DORA PSI
  • Mandaliev P, Dähn R, Tits J, Wehrli B, Wieland E
    EXAFS study of Nd(III) uptake by amorphous calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H)
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2010; 342(1): 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2009.06.011
    DORA PSI
  • Mandaliev P, Wieland E, Dähn R, Tits J, Churakov SV, Zaharko O
    Mechanisms of Nd(III) uptake by 11Å tobermorite and xonotlite
    Applied Geochemistry. 2010; 25(6): 763-777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2010.01.002
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Macé N, Dähn R, Kunz D, Tits J
    Macro- and micro-scale studies on U(VI) immobilization in hardened cement paste
    Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 2010; 286(3): 793-800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0742-y
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Fujita T, Tsukamoto M, Wieland E
    Uranium(VI) uptake by synthetic calcium silicate hydrates
    In: Scientific basis for nuclear waste management XXXI. Vol. 1107. MRS online proceedings library (OPL). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2008:(8 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-1107-467
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Kunz D, Dähn R
    Strontium uptake by cementitious materials
    Environmental Science and Technology. 2008; 42(2): 403-409. https://doi.org/10.1021/es071227y
    DORA PSI
  • Harfouche M, Wieland E, Dähn R, Fujita T, Tits J, Kunz D, et al.
    EXAFS study of U(VI) uptake by calcium silicate hydrates
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2006; 303(1): 195-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2006.07.019
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E, Müller CJ, Landesman C, Bradbury MH
    Strontium binding by calcium silicate hydrates
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2006; 300(1): 78-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2006.03.043
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Iijima K, Wieland E, Kamei G
    The uptake of radium by calcium silicate hydrates and hardened cement paste
    Radiochimica Acta. 2006; 94(9-11): 637-643. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2006.94.9-11.637
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Ulrich A, Bradbury MH
    Experimental evidence for solubility limitation of the aqueous Ni(II) concentration and isotopic exchange of 63Ni in cementitious systems
    Radiochimica Acta. 2006; 94(1): 29-36. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2006.94.1.29
    DORA PSI
  • Curti E, Kulik DA, Tits J
    Solid solutions of trace Eu(III) in calcite: Thermodynamic evaluation of experimental data over a wide range of pH and pCO2
    Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 2005; 69(7): 1721-1737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2004.06.027
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E, Bradbury MH
    The effect of isosaccharinic acid and gluconic acid on the retention of Eu(III), Am(III) and Th(IV) by calcite
    Applied Geochemistry. 2005; 20(11): 2082-2096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2005.07.004
    DORA PSI
  • Stumpf T, Tits J, Walther C, Wieland E, Fanghänel T
    Uptake of trivalent actinides (curium(III)) by hardened cement paste: A time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy study
    Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. 2004; 276(1): 118-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2004.03.014
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Bradbury MH
    The potential effect of cementitious colloids on radionuclide mobilisation in a repository for radioactive waste
    Applied Geochemistry. 2004; 19(1): 119-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-2927(03)00114-8
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Jakob A, Wieland E, Spieler P
    Diffusion of tritiated water and 22Na+ through non-degraded hardened cement pastes
    Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 2003; 61: 45-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-7722(02)00112-2
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E, Bradbury M, Eckert P, Schaible A
    The uptake of Eu(III) and Th(IV) by calcite under hyperalkaline conditions
    Villigen PSI, Switzerland: Paul Scherrer Institut; 2003. PSI Bericht: 02-03.
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E, Dobler J-P, Kunz D
    The uptake of strontium by calcium silicate hydrates under high pH conditions: an experimental approach to distinguish adsorption from co-precipitation processes
    In: Symposium scientific basis for nuclear waste management XXVII. Vol. 807. MRS online proceedings library (OPL). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2003:(6 pp.). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-807-A101
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Stumpf T, Rabung T, Wieland E, Fanghänel T
    Uptake of Cm(III) and Eu(III) by calcium silicate hydrates: a solution chemistry and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy study
    Environmental Science and Technology. 2003; 37(16): 3568-3573. https://doi.org/10.1021/es030020b
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Dobler JP, Spieler P
    The effect of α-isosaccharinic acid on the stability of and Th(IV) uptake by hardened cement paste
    Radiochimica Acta. 2002; 90(9-11): 683-688. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.2002.90.9-11_2002.683
    DORA PSI
  • Scheidegger AM, Wieland E, Scheinost AC, Dänn R, Tits J, Spieler P
    Ni phases formed in cement and cement systems under highly alkaline conditions: an XAFS study
    Journal of Synchrotron Radiation. 2001; 8(2): 916-918. https://doi.org/10.1107/S0909049500020586
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E, Bradbury MH, Dobler JP
    The uptake of Eu(III) and Th(IV) by cement-type minerals in the alkaline disturbed zone of a nuclear waste repository
    In: Rammlmaier D, Mederer J, Oberthür T, Heimann RB, Pentinghaus H, eds. Applied mineralogy in research, economy, technology, ecology and culture. Proceedings of the sixth International congress on applied mineralogy, Göttingen, Germany, 17-19 July 2000, ICAM 2000. Vol. 2. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema; 2000:691-694.
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Spieler P, Dobler JP, Scheidegger AM
    Uptake of nickel and strontium by a sulphate-resisting Portland cement
    In: Rammlmaier D, Mederer J, Oberthür T, Heimann RB, Pentinghaus H, eds. Applied mineralogy in research, economy, technology, ecology and culture. Proceedings of the sixth International congress on applied mineralogy, Göttingen, Germany, 17-19 July 2000, ICAM 2000. Vol. 2. Rotterdam: A.A. Balkema; 2000:705-708.
    DORA PSI
  • Tits J, Wieland E, Poinssot C, Dobler JP
    Sr uptake during CSH phase formation: adsorption versus co-precipitation
    In: Schüßler W, Bauer A, eds. Vol. FZKA 6291. Wissenschaftliche Berichte. Karlsruhe: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe; 1999:141-147.
    DORA PSI
  • Wieland E, Tits J, Spieler P, Dobler JP
    Interaction of Eu(III) and Th(IV) with sulfate-resisting Portland cement
    In: Symposium – scientific basis for nuclear waste management XXI. Vol. 506. MRS online proceedings library (OPL). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1997:573-578. https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-506-573
    DORA PSI
  • Maes A, Tits J, Mermans G, Dierckx A
    Measurement of the potentially available charge and the dissociation behaviour of humic acid from cobaltihexammine adsorption
    European Journal of Soil Science. 1992; 43(4): 669-677. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2389.1992.tb00166.x
    DORA PSI
  • Maes A, Van Elewyck F, Vancluysen J, Tits J, Cremers A
    Cobaltihexamine as an index cation for measuring the cation exchange capacity of humic acids
    In: Allard B, Borén H, Grimvall A, eds. Humic substances in the aquatic and terrestrial environment. Lecture notes in earth sciences. Berlin: Springer; 1991:85-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0010460
    DORA PSI