Chemistry and physicochemistry of polymers in solution

Acquire the fundamentals of polymer behavior in solution, self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers and polymer chemistry in dispersed media. The main aim is to master the theoretical and applied tools needed to formulate polymers in solution, using either a purely physico-chemical approach or chemical processes. The fields of application are numerous, from the formulation of cosmetics and paints to the elaboration of nanoparticles for applications in nanomedicine and optoelectronics.
This module is compulsory for the 3A IPF specialization, and of interest for the CBI and LAI specializations. It is offered in association with the SOMAT module.

Structure and General Properties of Polymers (S5) and Polymerization Reactions and Processes (S6)

Part I: Physicochemistry of polymers in solution: 10.64 H (7 CM + 1 TD), C.Schatz

Behavior of polymers in the presence of solvent
Thermodynamics of macromolecular solutions
Solubility of polymers: phase equilibrium, solubility parameters
Concentration regimes
Conformation of chains in solution and properties
Techniques for characterizing polymers in solution


Part II: Self-assembly of polymers in solution 7.98 H (5 CM + 1 TD), S. Lecommandoux

General information on self-assembly: driving forces, universality of the process
Main families of surfactants
Self-assembly in solution: micellisation phenomenon
Polymorphism and phase diagram
Industrial interests of self-assembled systems


Part III: Chemistry of polymers in dispersed media: 6.65 H (5 CM), E.Cloutet

Definition and reminder of the concept of emulsions
The main polymerization methods in dispersing media:

dispersion
emulsion
miniemulsion


Examples of functional materials derived from these processes.

References
Chemistry and physicochemistry of polymers (M. Fontanille, Y. Gnanou)
Liquids: solutions, dispersions, emulsions, gels (S. Hénon, B. Cabane)
Introduction to soft matter: synthetic and biological self-assembling materials (I. Hamley)