Polymeric Materials

Research Profile

The Polymeric Materials Group focuses on the development of new methods for the synthesis of smart polymers and polymeric nanomaterials. Controlled radical polymerization strategies are routinely exploited to produce polymeric materials with con-trolled architecture, molecular weight, dispersity and function-ality. A special focus is given to improving existing methodolo-gies, understanding underlying polymerization mechanisms, and translating the knowledge acquired. Subsequently, the self-as-sembly of polymeric materials into nanostructures is assessed in detail to understand and control all their physicochemical properties (e.g. size, shape, surface, core). The key to the group’s strategy is the aim to understand the fundamentals of polymer-ization mechanisms and allow facile access to the production of well-defined polymeric (nano)materials. Upon synthesis and/or self-assembly a wide range of applications in the material and biomedical field can be targeted.