PHD STUDENTS, POST DOCTORAL FELLOWS, VISITING SCIENTISTS
Léa JACQUIN
Project
Model polyethylene particles for the study of nano-plastics in the oceans
Plastic waste has become a highly abundant and a worldwide growing problem. Following their photodegradation, they are progressively fragmented into nano/micro-plastics (NP/MP) which are easily integrated into the food chain with possible toxic effects.
My project is to develop realistic PE particles with controlled size and composition close to environmental samples, at the same stage of photodegradation and with the same surface properties to investigate the impact of PE debris on marine species and ecosystem functioning.
For this, we developed at CP2M a unique free radical emulsion polymerization of ethylene in aqueous media under mild conditions (T < 90 °C and Pethylene < 250 bar) yielding stable, either cationic or anionic, surfactant-free PE nanoparticles. Then we will artificially age the particles and surround them with a surface biofilm
My thesis is the result of a collaboration of four partners : CP2M, IMMM, IPC and LEMAR.
Keywords
emulsion, polyethylene, nanoparticles
How to join us?
43 Bd du 11 Nov. 1918
(B. P. 82077)
69616 Villeurbanne CEDEX FRANCE
+33 (0)4 72 43 17 67 (team PCM)
+33 (0)4 72 43 17 94 (team MMAGICC)
+33 (0)4 72 43 17 56 (Communication)