Missions

Cellulose-based membranes can have multiple applications : barrier layer, flexible substrate, biodegradable film, etc. In this project, we aim to produce and study thin films of polysaccharides in which the conductive properties of their fibers will be modified by adjusting the surface chemistry. The parameters allowing the optimization of the charge states of the cellulose and the structure of the film will be determined in order to obtain a conductive membrane which will be used for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).

Activités

The candidate will be responsible for the production of cellulose microfibrils (MFC) and nanocrystals (CNC) and their functionalisation (oxidation, sulfonation, etc.), then for the realisation and characterisation (SFM, SEM, FTIR, mechanical analyses) of self-supporting membranes made from these polysaccharides.

Compétences

The candidate should have a Ph.D in physical chemistry of materials, particularly polymers.
Skills in the fabrication and functionalization of cellulose as well as experience in proton conductive membranes are expected.
Knowledge about the electrical and mechanical characterization of polymers will be appreciated.

The candidate must have a strong taste for experimental research, be well-organized, dynamic and able to interact in English with several partners.

Contexte de travail

The CERMAV ('CEntre de Recherches sur les MAcromolécules Végétales', https://www.cermav.cnrs.fr) is dedicated to the study of polysaccharides (natural sugar-based polymers), the (bio-)synthesis of biologically active oligosaccharides, the use of biomass and the production of nanocomposite materials or glycopolymers. Its team 'Structure and Properties of Glycomaterials' (SPG) is following a multi-scale approach for the investigation of polysaccharides in solid state (cellulose, starch, chitin, etc.) which extends from the atomistic description of natural or artificial glycomaterials to their structural and functional properties determination. SPG expertise covers a wide range of fields in materials science including crystallography, physico-chemistry of colloids and polymers and materials development. Different techniques of characterization are applied such as scanning probe and electron microscopies, X-ray and neutron scattering and reflectivity, solid state NMR.