Development of polylactide-based copolymers

The use of biobased monomers as feedstock for the synthesis of polymers is a growing field, motivated by both environmental concerns and the decrease of the world oil reserves. Among the different biobased polymers available on the market, polylactide (PLA) is becoming more and more competitive and its production is growing. This biodegradable and biocompatible polyester is synthesized either by direct polycondensation of lactic acid, resulting from the fermentation of agroresources, or by Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) of lactide, a cyclic ester derived from oligomerization-cyclization of lactic acid. ROP polymerization, which leads to the formation of PLA of high molar masses, requires the use of an initiator which initiates the opening of lactide and its polymerization. Among commercial lactides, L-lactide (L-LA), resulting from the cyclization of the L-isomer of lactic acid, is particularly interesting since it leads to isotactic polylactide PLLA, a semi-crystalline material. However, its brittleness sometimes makes it unsuitable as a substitute for plastics used for everyday-life products.

Chain shuttling copolymerization has been a breakthrough in the field of olefin polymerization affording the production of new polyolefin specialties (Infuse) for applications as adhesives and elastomers notably. We have transposed the concept to polylactide, yielding new multiblock copolymers. The objective of this project funded by the ANR involves:

• running airsensitive catalyzed polymerization reactions in a glovebox
• analyzing the polymer microstructure via NMR and size exclusion chromatography
• analyzing the thermal properties of the polymer via DSC
• analyzing the microstructure by SAXS and WAXS
• analyzing the mechanical properties

Place: Unity of Catalysis and Solid State Chemistry, C3 Building, and UMET, C6 building, Cité Scientifique, Villeneuve d’Ascq

Period: Starting end / beginning, for 18 to 24 months according to experience

Geographic mobility: No business trip

Telework: Full time

Profile: PhD in polymer synthesis and characterization. Experience in mechanical characterization of polymers will be a plus.