P3R team
Created in 2007, the “Precision polymers by radical processes” group (P3R) is composed of organic and polymer chemists who develop original polymer materials using radical chemistry.
P3R has a longstanding experience in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. This includes the study of the structure-reactivity relationship of original classes of RAFT agents, RAFT control of “tricky” monomers, and the synthesis of functional block copolymers with targeted properties.
In recent years, we made a clear shift in the way we design our polymers towards materials of enhanced sustainability. For instance, new methodologies for making (chemically) degradable polymers by radical ring-opening copolymerization have been successfully developed.
Another recent strategic area is the design of dynamic polymer materials, in particular nanostructured vitrimers and carbon-fiber reinforced vitrimer materials for the aerospace sector.
We attach particular attention to the exploitation of our research results through a large number of patent applications with some examples of commercial success in collaboration with industrial partners.
Research topics
Team members
permanent members
temporary members on average per year
Team publications
This list of publications is uploaded directly from the P3R team’s HAL collection.
- Johanna Tran, Elise Guegain, Nada Ibrahim, Simon Harrisson, Julien Nicolas. Efficient synthesis of 2-methylene-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane, a cyclic ketene acetal for controlling the NMP of methyl methacrylate and conferring tunable degradability. Polymer Chemistry, 2016, 7 (26), pp.4427-4435. ⟨10.1039/C6PY00778C⟩. ⟨hal-02194464⟩
- K. Markiewicz, L. Seiler, I. Misztalewska, K. Winkler, Simon Harrisson, et al.. Advantages of poly(vinyl phosphonic acid)-based double hydrophilic block copolymers for the stabilization of iron oxide nanoparticles. Polymer Chemistry, 2016, 7 (41), pp.6391-6399. ⟨10.1039/C6PY01558A⟩. ⟨hal-02195542⟩
- Laura Etchenausia, A.M. Rodrigues, Simon Harrisson, Elise Deniau-Lejeune, M. Save. RAFT Copolymerization of Vinyl Acetate and N-Vinylcaprolactam: Kinetics, Control, Copolymer Composition, and Thermoresponsive Self-Assembly. Macromolecules, 2016, 49 (18), pp.6799--6809. ⟨10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01451⟩. ⟨hal-01495405⟩
- H. Nguyen, M. El Ezzi, Christophe Mingotaud, Mathias Destarac, Jean-Daniel Marty, et al.. Doubly thermo-responsive copolymers in ionic liquid. Soft Matter, 2016, 12 (13), pp.3246-3251. ⟨10.1039/C5SM03063C⟩. ⟨hal-02195652⟩
- Laurie Despax, Juliette Fitremann, Mathias Destarac, Simon Harrisson. Low concentration thermoresponsive hydrogels from readily accessible triblock copolymers. Polymer Chemistry, 2016, 7 (20), pp.3375-3377. ⟨10.1039/C6PY00499G⟩. ⟨hal-02195801⟩
Latest team news
A radical-based new approach to high-performance recyclable plastics
Researchers from the P3R team at Softmat have developed new vitrimers by developing heat-activated radical chemistry. This novel approach gives these materials, which are resistant, repairable and...
Ecolanka, a startup offering disruptive innovation in the field of degradable polymers, spun off from Softmat
Based on research conducted in the P3R team by Mathias Destarac and Sasha Ivanchenko (awarded the 2023 iPhD Grand Prix by the French Ministry of Research and operated by BPI France for this...
Olivier Coutelier, lecturer at softmat, defended his habilitation to supervise PhD students
Olivier conducts his research in the P3R team at the Softmat laboratory. On the 18th of April, he defended his habilitation to supervise PhD students, marking a milestone in his career. After his...





