CHEM
Polymer chemistry
The activities of the CHEM division are in the fields of macromolecular synthesis and describe polymerisation and depolymerisation mechanisms, macromolecular engineering, and polymerisation processes and chemical modifications of polymers for the development of functional materials (fibres, foams, gels, thermosetting materials, colloids, self-assembled architectures, etc.) with specific properties.
This work mainly revolves around 6 thematic areas:
- Dynamic and reversible chemistry
- Polycondensation and polyaddition chemistry
- Complex architectures chemistry
- Chemistry in non-conventional environments
- Polysaccharides, biohybrids, biofunctionalisation
- Silicon and organo-silicon chemistry
Through these themes, the polymer chemistry division aims to synthesise polymers in line with societal needs (health, energy, transport, etc.) while integrating process constraints and growing environmental requirements. With this in mind, the division relies on its expertise in molecular and macromolecular chemistries to develop synthetic approaches and more virtuous processes (bio-sourced materials, melted media, mass polymerisation, aqueous processes, recycling of polymer materials at the end of life, etc.).
The Polymer Chemistry division has many synthesis tools (polyester and polyamide polycondensation reactors, microwave reactors, super-critical CO2 reactors, high-pressure reactors, extruders, etc.) and characterisation tools to envisage research in various fields of chemistry and polymer materials.
Headed by: J. BERNARD / E. BEYOU / F. GANACHAUD