Responsive and functional polymers at interfaces

In many of the systems designed within our group, polymers are strategically localized at interfaces with a liquid. By tailoring the molecular architecture at these boundaries, we can either stabilize interfaces against aggregation and coalescence or create functional interphases with high added-value properties—such as catalysis and sensing—that surpass those of bulk materials.
A core focus is the use of stimuli-responsive polymers, which enables the design of "smart" dispersed media. These systems can be destabilized or exhibit entirely new properties triggered by environmental changes, including temperature, light, pH, or salt concentration.

Key research areas:
– Hydrogel films grafted on solid substrates : frictional properties, cellular adhesion/biochemical sensors (Léa Gaonac’h, Nalin Maniwongwichit, Jie Sun, Jieling Zhang, Laura Porath, Y.Tran)
– Friction in model non-brownian particles (N.Sanson, B.Bresson, J.Comtet)
– Polymer adjuvents for construction materials (Lyna Oulhaci, Alice Gava, Mathilde Robert, Pierre-Luc Vallières, J.-B.d’Espinose, N.Sanson)
– Drop impact of gelling solutions (Bruna Ferreira, C.Monteux, E.Barthel, A.Marcellan)
– Microgels for the stabilization of oil/water emulsions (P.Perrin, N.Sanson)
– Aqueous Two Phase Systems (Léna Vincent, Loïc Démoulin, T.Merland, C.Monteux, P.Perrin, D.Hourdet)