Missions

As part of the ANR PRME 'SilGenBéta' project, we offer a one-year post-doctoral position to work on the recycling of silicone elastomers. In this ANR project, we want to develop future silicone materials by physical and/or chemical routes. In addition to studying new formulations developed in two thesis works, we are also trying to recover materials already produced for re-injection into a 3D printing process. Therefore, the post-doc student's role will be to find the experimental conditions that will enable us to process model elastomers under gentle, non-energetic, and reproducible conditions.

Activities

This post-doc will be organized around three distinct pillars. Firstly, we will use the technology recently patented in our laboratory to liquefy silicone elastomers from different families (RTV, LSR, and HCR). We will study the parameters of gentle degradation and optimize reaction kinetics. Secondly, the resulting mastic will be reformulated to produce new rubbers after cross-linking. The aim here is to overcome variations in the chemical properties of the reversates using a robust yet straightforward platform of ingredients to be added. Finally, we will adjust the rheological properties of the formulations for use in a 3D printing technique developed in the laboratory and now applied by the COP Chimie/Lynxter consortium.

Skills

- Knowledge of silicone chemistry (mandatory)
- Proficiency in experimental chemistry laboratory manipulations (compulsory)
- Proficiency in polymer characterization techniques: SEC, various spectroscopies, thermal analysis methods, microscopies (compulsory)
- Mastery of elastomer mechanical characterization techniques: tensile tests, rheology, DMA (mandatory)
- Knowledge of silicone elastomer formulation (secondary)
- Knowledge of 3D printing (secondary)

Results and controls

- Better understanding of the reversion reaction and publication of the main results
-Implementation of a robust formulation procedure
- Preliminary experiments on a commercial 3D printer (in collaboration)

Control: reversion of a mixture of silicone wastes and reformulation of elastomers.

Work Context

This research project will be carried out within the IMP laboratory at INSA Lyon, which has recognized expertise in the synthesis, physicochemical, and physical characterization of silicones on the one hand, and networks of various types, including “soft” (elastomers, hydrogels) on the other. It is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR, Projet SIL-GEN-β, 2023-2027). The work will be co-supervised by F. Ganachaud, C. Barrès, and R. Brunel and will benefit from the intellectual and technical environments of the IMP laboratory at INSA Lyon.

Constraints and risks

Nothing to declare