Surface-Induced Self-Assembly Of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers BiLayers – SISAL

New methods to manipulate the self-assembled block copolymer structures at high resolution with negligible defects are of high interest for their potential utility in emerging nanotechnologies. Within this regard the purpose of the SISAL project is to develop a robust and scalable process to direct the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers into solid-supported symmetric or asymmetric bilayer membranes which represent one of the ultimate film architecture in terms of thickness and molecular ordering. Currently, the Langmuir Blodgett method is probably the best suited approach for achieving the formation of such solid-supported block copolymer membranes but its implementation on large scale or on colloidal objects is not feasible. Therefore, other approaches must be considered which are more effective in term of processing. Here, the idea is to take advantage in a row of both i) the specific interaction(s) occurring between one of the two blocks of the BC with the substrate and ii) the polarity of the solvent to trigger the BC self-assembly at the interface. A particular attention will be paid to this solvent switching step which is central to the assembly process. The build-up and final properties of supported copolymer membranes will be thoroughly investigated on planar and colloidal substrates using a set of dedicated characterization techniques. In a last part of the project, we will put forward the potentials of our approach on three target applications: (1) development of robust and large-scale oil- and water-repellent UV-protected amphiphobic coatings, and (2) encapsulation of various actives (Au/Ag nanoparticles, essential oils), (3) the functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with a bilayer of biocompatible block copolymer for theranostic purposes.


The SISAL project gathers 2 academic labs with long standing collaborations: Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (J.-P. Chapel), the Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymère Organiques (Ch. Schatz). Both partners are strongly involved in chemistry, physical-chemistry and soft matter physics of macromolecules and colloids. Their expertise will be beneficial at each stage of the project to exchange ideas and solve issues.