PhD Defence Maria Brió Pérez | A Journey Towards Responsive and Circular Polymer Brushes: Design and Applications

A Journey Towards Responsive and Circular Polymer Brushes: Design and Applications

Maria Brió Pérez is a PhD student in the department Sustainable Polymer Chemistry. (Co)Promotors are prof.dr. F.R. Wurm and dr.ir. S.J.A. de Beer from the faculty of Science and Technology.

The research described in this thesis, conducted within the Sustainable Polymer Chemistry group (SPC) group at the University of Twente, aims to significantly contribute to the fields of sustainable polymers and functional polymer coatings. A major research focus of the group is the development of novel (bio)degradable materials, primarily based on phosphorus-containing polymers or biopolymers. By combining modern organic and inorganic chemistry with precision polymer synthesis, we specialize in producing smart materials for drug delivery, agriculture, adhesive technologies, flame retardants, and optics.

Embarking on a journey towards responsive and circular polymer brushes, this thesis is centered on the development and application of polymer brush coatings, assessing their sustainability and functionality. A key area of research is understanding the stimulus-responsive behavior of brush coatings in different environments. The next relevant topic of this thesis is studying the stability of brushes under various conditions, such as humid air, acetone vapor and aqueous solutions, towards their long-term usability. Motivated by the urgent need for environmentally responsive materials and the demand for high-performance degradable coatings in various industrial and biomedical applications, this dissertation seeks to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications of (degradable) polymer brush coatings.