Bicontinuous non-equilibrium structures stabilized by Interfacial polymer complexation – BISTIPLEX

Multiphasic systems have broad applications in pharmaceutical, coating, food, and cosmetic industries among others. The possibility to tailor the structure of such systems by controlling the interfacial properties expands their potential to many other fields, including, for example, tissue engineering and energy storage. The proposed project is dedicated to the study of interfacial polymer complexation as a promising way for fine-tuning and super-stabilization of the structure in liquid dispersions such as emulsions. The research strategy encompasses the investigation of the interfacial behaviour of polymers carrying complementary complexing moieties, a systematic study of the stability and properties of common emulsions stabilized by these polymers, and the development of materials with bicontinuous liquid architecture. Such dual-functional systems have a great potential in acting as cross-flow microreactors and simultaneously, as hydroformylation catalyst of higher olefins. Moreover, the findings of the project will bring an important contribution to the insight into polymer interfaces and soft materials science.