3. PhD student positions (2 vacancies)
PVDF-reinforced polymer brushes as functional coatings
Fluoropolymers, such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) are industrially very important; they are essential ingredient of lithium-ion batteries, and highly resistant coatings (e.g. skyscraper windows, roofs or airplane elements). While current strategies aim to reduce use of highly fluorinated materials due to PFAS regulations, these materials are still irreplaceable. This project aims to grow polymer brushes from fluorinated surfaces. Polymer brushes will be anchored via hydrolytically stable C-C bond, in contrast to common sensitive ester bond. Stability of the polymer brushes and mechanisms governing the degrafting will be assessed using on-line techniques, such as spectroscopic ellipsometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Prepared polymer brushes will be used as antifouling coatings in the context of prosthetics and biological sensors.
Tasks:
- Stability studies of polymer brushes (in marine and biological media)
- Antifouling studies (adsorption of fibrinogen, bovine serum albumin Escherichia coli bacteria)
Requirements:
- Excellent transcript of records (having a scientific paper published is a plus)
- Laboratory skills (hand-on experience with proteins and bacteria is a plus)
- Excellent English
- Strong motivation and commitment to science
- Enrollment to the doctoral school is required (enrollment will take place around June 2025)
Offer:
- Extra project stipend, max. 5000 PLN/month
List of required documents:
- CV, transcript the grades/credits received
- Signed consent to the processing of personal data available at www.chem.uw.edu.pl/oferty-pracy (bottom of the page: “Klauzula informacyjna RODO”)
e-mail: p.mocny@chem.uw.edu.pl
In the title of the e-mail, please enter “PVDF – PhD studies”
Deadline: undefined (to be resolved within a few months)
Starting date: 01.10.2025
Date of announcement: 11.01.2025