Polymer engineering and formulation

Be able to design, develop and characterize polymer and colloidal systems according to application-specific specifications.

2A "Colloids" course (PC7COLLO)
1A and 2A polymer courses (PC5SPPOL PC6RPPOL PC6TPSSM PC7PMPU PC7TPPMP PC8AURHE PC8POLYM)
2A spectroscopy course (PC8SPECT)

Part 1 - Formulation: General concepts, tools and methods

Objectives

    - Choose and implement the main polymerization and macromolecular engineering methods and strategies
- Identify the role of constituents in a formulation
- Choose the composition of a formulation according to precise specifications, in line with an eco-responsible approach
- Distinguish between commodity and specialty formulations and the corresponding major fields of application.

Contents

1- Polymers: from polymerization control to macromolecular engineering (organometallic, organic and enzymatic approaches) (10s - 13.3h) (S. Carlotti / D. Taton)

2- Stability and metastability of dispersed media (6s - 9.31h) (V. Ravaine)

3- Polymers and surfactants at interfaces (8s - 10h40) (O. Mondain-Monval)

4- Physico-chemistry of lipids (3s - 4h) (C. Faure)

5- Polyelectrolytes in solution (3s - 4h) ( C. Schatz)

6- Adhesives (4s - 5.32h) (E. Grau)

7- Examples of industrial applications (Conferences)

    - Formulation of cosmetics (LEA NATURE) (3h)
- Formulation of road surfaces (Vinci Construction) (3h)
- Polystyrene - Polyamides: manufacturing processes, properties and applications (BASF) (6h)
- Ecodesign and life cycle (CNRS) (3h)
- Encapsulation (Givaudan) (3h)
- Regulations (CNRS) (3h)
- Cosmetics (L'Oréal) (3h)

8- Analysis of scientific articles or documents (included in courses)

 Part 2 - Nano- and mesostructuring of polymers and dispersed media

Objectives

    - Predict the organization of polymers and colloidal systems at different size scales (from nanoscopic to macroscopic)
- Develop nanostructures, nanoparticles and formulations chemically, physicochemically and by process selection

Contents

1- Nanostructured polymers: manipulation and characterization of solid-state morphologies (5s - 6.65h) (S. Lecommandoux)

2- Coordination polymerization catalysis: major industrial polymers (5s - 6.65h) (H. Cramail)

3- Microfluidics and formulation (2s - 2.67h) (A. Perro)

4- Nanocomposites and hybrid materials (5s - 6.65h) (C. Brochon)

5- Biomass and bioplastics (3s - 4h) (E. Grau)

6 - End-of-life plastics: sorting, recovery, recycling (3s - 4h) (E. Grau)

7- Polymers and colloids for living systems (9s - 9.31h) (S. Carlotti / S. Lecommandoux)

8- Examples of industrial applications (Conferences)

    - Materials for energy (ARKEMA) (6h)
- Active delivery (MEDINCELL) (3h)
- Robotics, AI and formulation (SYENSQO) (3h) on-site visit
- Advanced materials and composites (CANOE) (3h) on-site visit
- Composites (Safran) (4h30)

9- Analysis of scientific articles or documents (included in courses)

10- Practical work: Formulation and characterization of polymers and colloids (2x2j) (V. Ravaine / A. Perro / C. Faure / C. Schatz / F. Le Goupil)

Part 3 - Formulated materials: analysis of physico-chemical properties and macroscopic behavior in relation to structure

 Objectives

    - Evaluate the main physico-chemical properties of polymeric materials and colloidal media
- Use appropriate characterization tools at different scales (molecular, supramolecular, macromolecular)
- Predict the macroscopic behavior of a material as a function of its molecular characteristics (composition, size, shape) and formulation

 Contents

1- Different size scales (molecular, macromolecular, supramolecular) and associated properties and characterization by spectroscopies (4s-2,66) (S. Carlotti)

2- Microscopy (2s - 4h) (A. Perro)

3- Static and dynamic radiation scattering (5s -6h40) (C. Schatz)

4- Rheology of solutions (7s - 9.31h) (J-F. LeMeins)

5- Examples of industrial applications (Conferences)

    - Polymers and tires (MICHELIN) (3h)
- Biobased polymer synthesis and entrepreneurship (Dionymer) (1h30)
- Commodity polymers (SK Polymers) (3h)
- Polymer recycling (Carbios) (3h)
- Biobased polymers (Roquette) (3h)
- Plastics fresco (3h)

7- Analysis of scientific articles or documents (included in courses)

Part 4 - Industrial project 

Objectives

    - The Industrial Project enables students to work on a topical subject proposed by an industrial company in line with their specialization. This involves respecting a given set of specifications and meeting the various objectives set by the industrialist. The subject may be a bibliographical and/or technology watch topic.
- The work carried out must use the industrial project management approach.
- This is a professional project, which may lead to an internship at the client company.

Contents

    - Students work in groups of 3 or 4.
- Each project group must work in consultation with the company sponsoring the project and with the project's tutor (each group is specifically supervised by a teacher from the specialization module).
- At the end of the project, each project group must submit a written report of no more than 20 pages. 

Part 5 - Grand oral

Objectives

    - Analyze scientific data
- Place data in a strategic, economic or scientific context
- Propose a scientific and technical approach
- Defend this approach by mobilizing and transferring scientific and technical knowledge.

Contents

Students orally present their subject to a panel of three examiners. This is followed by a discussion covering all the topics covered in the specialization courses. Questions will be asked about courses taken throughout the student's curriculum. 

Choice of specialization

Chemistry and physical chemistry of polymers, M. Fontanille and Y. Gnanou, DUNOD Ed. Gnanou, DUNOD Ed. 2002
The colloidal domain: where physics, chemistry, biology and technology meet - 2nd Edition, Fennel Evans, H. Wennerström - Wiley-VCH Editor, New York, 1999. ISBN: 0-471-24247-0
Emulsion Science. Basic Principles - 2nd edition Leal-Calderon, V. Schmitt, J. Bibette - Springer, ISBN 978-0-387-39682-8
Chemie et physico-chimie des polymères, M. Fontanille and Y. Gnanou, DUNOD Ed. 2002
Introduction to Physical Polymer Science, L.H. Sperling, WILEY Ed.
Polymers: Chemistry and physics of modern materials, J.M.G. Cowie, BLACKIE
Block Copolymers: Synthetic Strategies, Physical Properties, and Applications, N. Hadjichristidis, S. Pispas, G. A. Floudas, Wiley Interscience, John Wiley et Sons, Inc. Publication 2003
Block Copolymers in Nanoscience Eds. M. Lazzari, G. Liu, S. Lecommandoux, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co, KGaA Weinheim 2006