This PhD project, recently funded by the Jean-Marie Lehn foundation, aims at developing bio-inspired multifunctional nanocomposite materials with complex anisotropies (e.g. helical superstructures) combining steel-like mechanical properties and optical properties of interest (selective optical filtering). The present PhD work will focus on (i) the fabrication of hierarchical helical architectures made of cellulosic nanofibers and (bio-)polymers with tunable structural features (pitch, handedness) by combining layer-by-layer assembly and grazing incidence spraying and (ii) their structural and optical characterization using advanced characterization tools (e.g. SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, circular dichroism, Muller matrix polarimetry). Products that could be developed during this project are damage resistant optical filtering thin films, which will be competitive for future applications (e.g. counterfeiting protection, flexible displays).
Actualités
- Scientists fabricate composites that combine high strength and bioactivity inspired by the cortical bone
- Researchers develop eggshell ‘bioplastic’ pellet as sustainable alternative to plastic
- European XFEL elicits secrets from an important nanogel
- New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled
- Key to efficient and stable organic solar cells