PhotoFluo · Synthesis and photopolymerisation of new fluorinated macromonomers for the obtaining of high performance fluoropolymers

Synthesis and photopolymerisation of new fluorinated macromonomers for the obtaining of high performance fluoropolymers

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT AND ISSUES ADDRESSED PhotoFluo is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) project started on 1st February 2016. It consists of a consortium of three teams (two from Europe and one from Canada): 1. Politecnico di Torino (POLITO), Italy – Coordinator Organisation 2. Ecole Nationale Supérieure De Chimie De Montpellier (ENSCM), France – Beneficiary Organisation 3. Trinity Western University (TWU), Canada – Beneficiary Organisation. PhotoFluo project aims at developing novel high-performance fluoropolymers, suitable for optical and electronic devices, membranes for fuel cells and Li batteries, microfluidics, and biomaterials. This ambitious goal will be achieved starting from designing new perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPAE) building blocks with improved safety (not bioaccumulative as the perfluoroalkyl structure currently employed) and showing chemical inertness, flexibility in a wide temperature range, very low refractive index and wettability. PFPAE monomers will be properly modified and functionalized to tune the material final properties and make these precursors suitable for crosslinking. The fluoropolymers will be synthesized starting from the new monomers by photoinduced polymerization, chosen as an efficient and eco-friendly process: the polymer formation is fast (no more than minutes compared to hours requested by thermal processes), is solvent free, is carried out at room temperature consuming low amount of energy, permits spatial resolution, as it mainly occurs in the illuminated areas. After obtaining an original portfolio of PFPAE polymers, they will be fully characterized and tested in view of innovate applications. IMPACT ON RESEARCHERS' CAREER AND ON SOCIETY PhotoFluo project provides a window of opportunity for the researchers to work in challenging environments and acquire new skills and knowledge in chemistry and material science. In particular young researchers will exceptionally benefit from the project, as working with an interdisciplinary approach in an international team gives new career perspectives. The development of safer fluoropolymers will impact different industrial fields. In fact polymers made of PFPAE building blocks have the advantage of not being bioaccumulative, unlike perfluoroalkyl chains which caused concerns and the banning in different applications. For the implementation of the program, the three research partner teams have been selected as they have a relevant scientific record in the fields of: 1. fluorochemistry (TWU) 2. photopolymerization (POLITO and ENSCM) 3. polymer science (POLITO and ENSCM). Secondments of 11 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) and Experienced Researchers (ERs) are scheduled to exploit the complementarities of the different expertises of each group, to share them and to reinforce young researchers career. The project includes a strong dissemination plan to report on the results, not only to the scientific community, but also to potential users and non-specialized audience.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union