- Theme : Soft composites

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Accueil > La Recherche > Axes & Equipes > Matière Molle & Verres > Equipe : Matière Molle > Theme : Soft composites

Theme : Soft composites

Presentation

Soft composite materials, comprising nanoparticles dispersed in a matrix, are of great interest, since the nanoparticles can enhance the matrix properties or impart new functionalities. This topic includes several subtopics, like mineral particles in polymer melts, but also the formation of hydrogels, and of microgel particles in suspension or on a substrate. The matrix can also act as a template that structures the particles at the nanoscopic level. The main contributions of our group are detailed characterizations and a deep understanding of the complex structure of soft composite, including experimental studies of particle and chain structure in polymer nanocomposite, of their dynamics on the nanoscale, of liquid crystalline matrices and their effect on particles, or theoretical studies of gel formation and disruption due to enzymatic reactions. Several topics are described below.

(Left) Electron microscopy of silica nanocomposite, (right) carbon nanotubes in liquid crystals.

Current projects include :
(i) In polymer nanocomposites, new model and simplified industrial systems allowing for different grafting chemistries are currently developed. We focus on the interplay between the filler structure, surface modifications, the polymer grafting, and the mechanical properties of the composite. Dynamics are studied on different scales, i.e. segmental dynamics in polymer nanocomposites, and large-scale reorganizations by light scattering.
– NANOCOMPOSITE STRUCTURE AND THE REINFORCEMENT EFFECT, click !
– SURFACE MODIFICATION OF FILLER NANOPARTICLES IN SUSPENSION AND INCORPORATION IN NANOCOMPOSITES, click !

(ii) Anisotropic soft composites and especially liquid crystals composites will continue to be explored through local collaborations, but also within the European action COST IC1208 dedicated to the modifications and organization of liquid crystals with nanostructures and nanoparticles.
– ALIGNING AND STRUCTURING NANOCOMPOSITES WITH LIQUID CRYSTALS, click !

(iii) Structure and dynamics of hydrogels. In microgels, the swelling properties of core-shell microgels, with different LCST in the core and in the shell, are studied in suspension or on substrates.
– STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF HYDROGELS, click !