Description du sujet de thèse

Project Overview
The growing need to improve plastic recyclability and design high-performance, environmentally sustainable polymer materials calls for a deep understanding of polymer-polymer interphases — nanometric regions that govern the mechanical and chemical properties of polymer blends and multilayer films used in packaging. This PhD project centers on the nanoscale characterization of these interphases using AFM-IR (Atomic Force Microscopy–Infrared Spectroscopy) — an advanced technique developed at ICP to perform infrared spectroscopy at the nanoscale.
Through a strong collaboration with the PIMM lab, known for its expertise in multinanolayer polymer coextrusion, the candidate will analyze model systems and industrially relevant films (e.g., PET/PEF), with a particular focus on interfaces, compatibilizers, and recycled content through a collaboration with IFPEN, an institute expert in renewable resources.

🧪 Scientific goals
Develop and optimize AFM-IR measurement protocols for polymer interfaces.
Quantify at the nanoscale and correlate chemical and mechanical properties of polymer interphases.
Investigate compatibilizers and interphase stability across virgin and recycled polymers.

🛠️ Methodology
AFM-IR and photothermal IR spectroscopy for high-resolution chemical imaging.
Development of calibration protocols and multimodal data analysis.
Extension to aged and recycled materials to assess interface evolution.

👤 Candidate Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated student (MSc degree or equivalent) with:
Strong background in physics of complex or soft matter, physical-chemistry, molecular spectroscopy, polymer science.
Experience or interest in development and characterization at the nanometric scale - vibrational spectroscopy (IR/Raman).
Basic skills in Python programming and data analysis.
Proficiency in English (B2 minimum).
Work in multidisciplinary dimension, with potential travel abroad for collaborations and training (especially in data analysis).

PhD Supervisor : Ariane Deniset-Besseau, Maître de Conférences Paris-Saclay University ; https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariane-deniset-besseau-1b409185/
PhD co-supervisor : Guillaume Miquelard-Garnier, Professeur des Universités CNAM, https://pimm.artsetmetiers.fr/user/136

How to apply
Via email to A. Deniset-Besseau ariane.deniset@universite-paris-saclay.fr and G. Miquelard-Garnier guillaume.miquelardgarnier@lecnam.net : Please submit a CV including references, Masters degree (or equivalent) grades (and diploma if already acquired), and a letter of motivation.

References
• Dazzi, A., Mathurin, J., Leclere, P., Nickmilder, P., De Wolf, P., Wagner, M., Hu, Q., & Deniset-Besseau, A. (2024). Photothermal AFM-IR Depth Sensitivity: An Original Pathway to Tomographic Reconstruction. Analytical Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C01969
• Dazzi, A., & Prater, C. B. (2017). AFM-IR: Technology and applications in nanoscale infrared spectroscopy and chemical imaging. Chemical Reviews, 117(7), 5146–5173. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00448
• Grandi A. A.*, Guinault A., Peixinho J., Sollogoub C., Antkowiak A., Neukirch S., Miquelard-Garnier G.*, “Young's modulus of multinanolayer polymer films: the role of the interfaces”, Soft Matter, 2025, 21, 4334-4341. DOI: 10.1039/D5SM00175G
• Dmochowska A., Peixinho J.*, Sollogoub C., Miquelard-Garnier G.*, “Extensional Viscosity of Immiscible Polymer Multi-Nanolayer Films: Signature of the Interphase”, Macromolecules, 2023, 56 (16), 6222-6231. DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.3c00288

Contexte de travail

Location: ICP (Institut de Chimie-Physique), Paris-Saclay University, Orsay and PIMM Laboratory, Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, Paris, France. Short stays at IFPEN (Rueil-Malmaison) are envisioned towards the end of the project.
Duration: 3 years
Start: Fall 2025
Funding: DIM MaTerRE PhD Fellowship Program 2025 (already acquired)

Contraintes et risques

Nighttime Experiments
Collaborative work between two laboratories 30 km apart