Synthesis of cyclic polymers

Cyclic polymers possess unique physico-chemical properties compared to their linear counterparts as a result of the absence of end-groups and the equivalence of all monomer units. These differences may be expressed in their hydrodynamic, rheological, optical and thermal properties.

The student will explore new approaches to synthesize linear polymers containing thiol groups, and cyclic polymers by combining methods that include click-chemistry reactions. Benefits for the student include the opportunity to work on state of the art instruments, and on a cutting-edge research project.