AGAPE · Avant Garde Approaches to Processable multiscale conjugated polymer hybrid materials with enhanced Electronic properties and water-repellency

This project aims to circumvent the most severe flaws of Conjugated Polymers (CPs hereafter), namely their processability and stability, while not compromising or even improving their electronic performance. Approaches are presented that will produce performing, water-repellent and processable CPs to feed the emergent Hydrophobic Electronics. A procedure will be developed to allow the CPs grafting on OH-containing nanoparticles profiting of the applicant’s knowledge on NHC catalysts, acquired along his 2-year stage at Prof. Navarro’s Laboratory in the USA. Nanoparticles are selected to fulfill the double purpose of i) making the solution/suspensions of CPs thixotropic, thus easing processability, and ii) making the final material’s surface rough and so water-repellent. These hybrids will be incorporated into a third component (a polymer, solvent or CPs solution) to produce multiscale water repellent CPs, by taking advantage of the Host Group on surface modification, polymer compounding and superhydrophobicity. This project lies at the interfaces of Polymer Chemistry, Catalysis and Surface Chemistry on one hand, and requires the joint collaboration of Engineering, Chemical Physics and Pure Organic Chemistry. The rare combination of the Applicant’s and Host Group’s expertise allows to reasonably expecting the successful design of novel materials with exciting new properties