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.
- Izabela Kurowska, Karolina Markiewicz, Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Laskowska, Paweł Misiak, Mathias Destarac, et al.. Membrane-active diacylglycerol-terminated thermoresponsive polymers: RAFT synthesis and biocompatibility evaluation. European Polymer Journal, 2022, 169, pp.111154. ⟨10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111154⟩. ⟨hal-03621178⟩
- Alexis Dupre--Demorsy, Olivier Coutelier, Mathias Destarac, Clémence Nadal, Valérie Bourdon, et al.. RAFT Polymerization of N -Methyl- N -vinylacetamide and Related Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymers. Macromolecules, 2022, 55 (4), pp.1127-1138. ⟨10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01593⟩. ⟨hal-03619590⟩
- Izabela Kurowska, Baptiste Amouroux, Marvin Langlais, Olivier Coutelier, Christophe Coudret, et al.. Versatile thiolactone-based conjugation strategies to polymer stabilizers for multifunctional upconverting nanoparticles aqueous dispersions. Nanoscale, 2022, ⟨10.1039/d1nr05548h⟩. ⟨hal-03550334⟩
- Clémence Nadal, Olivier Coutelier, Sandrine Cavalie, Valérie Flaud, Jérémy Soulié, et al.. Polymer/silica core–shell nanoparticles with temperature-dependent stability properties. European Polymer Journal, 2022, 168, pp.111104. ⟨10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111104⟩. ⟨hal-03656287⟩
- Vincent Schenk, Karine Labastie, Mathias Destarac, Philippe Olivier, Marc Guerre. Vitrimer composites: current status and future challenges. Materials Advances, 2022, ⟨10.1039/d2ma00654e⟩. ⟨hal-03826938⟩
- Marc Guerre, M. Semsarilar, Vincent Ladmiral. Grafting from Fluoropolymers Using ATRP: What is Missing?. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2022, 2022 (4), pp.e202100945. ⟨10.1002/ejic.202100945⟩. ⟨hal-03516068⟩
- Aitor Hernández, Hannes Houck, Fermin Elizalde, Marc Guerre, Haritz Sardon, et al.. Internal catalysis on the opposite side of the fence in non-isocyanate polyurethane covalent adaptable networks. European Polymer Journal, 2022, 168, pp.111100. ⟨10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2022.111100⟩. ⟨hal-03653810⟩
- Clémence Nadal, Stéphane Gineste, Olivier Coutelier, Audrey Tourrette, Jean-Daniel Marty, et al.. A deeper insight into the dual temperature- and pH-responsiveness of poly(vinylamine)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) double hydrophilic block copolymers. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2022, 641, pp.128502. ⟨10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.128502⟩. ⟨hal-03565568⟩
- Izabela Kurowska, Alexis Dupre--Demorsy, Stéphane Balayssac, Marie Hennetier, Audrey Ric, et al.. Tailor‐Made Poly(vinylamine) via Purple LED‐Activated RAFT Polymerization of N ‐vinylformamide. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2022, 44 (4), pp.2200729. ⟨10.1002/marc.202200729⟩. ⟨hal-03897653⟩
- Fang Yin, Hong Hanh Nguyen, Olivier Coutelier, Mathias Destarac, Nancy Lauth-de Viguerie, et al.. Effect of copolymer composition of controlled (N-vinylcaprolactam/N-vinylpyrrolidone) statistical copolymers on formation, stabilization, thermoresponsiveness and catalytic properties of gold nanoparticles. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2021, 630, pp.127611. ⟨10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.127611⟩. ⟨hal-03413835⟩
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...





