Cycle/Years
39^th cycle [2023-2026]

Contacts
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Supervisors
Prof. Andrea Pucci and Prof. Carlo Adamo

Title of the PhD project
Design, preparation and mechanochromic features of chromogenic dyes embedded in functional polymers

Abstract of the PhD project
Excessive mechanical stress on polymeric materials can result in the rupture of macromolecular chains, causing degradation and macroscopic failures. Implementing reliable strain monitoring may serve as a potent preventive measure against premature and potentially debilitating damage. The Mama project aims to develop integrated computational approaches for the description and rational design of innovative mechanochromic materials, i.e. materials whose optical properties change in response to an external mechanical stimulus. This mechanochromic response will be imparted to various commercial elastomers, thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, either by introducing dispersed chromophores into the pristine matrix or by integrating the active molecule directly into the polymer chain. In particular, I will be in charge of the synthesis and characterization of model experimental systems, in order to validate the theoretical approaches developed within the project. These systems will be realized by the selective design and synthesis of chromogenic dyes able to experience a modification of their molecular or sovramolecular architecture once embedded into a polymer matrix as covalently-linked or dispersed probes. Such probes will be properly introduced in the selected polymers via processing in solution or in the solid state or by chemical functionalization processes. Once a mechanical stress is applied to the dye-doped polymer, a prompt colour variation will be detected in absorption and/or in emission, with optical variations strictly related to the disaggregation of the dispersed chromogenic dyes or to their molecular isomerization.

Academic Fields and Disciplines (SSD), main and secondary
CHIM/04

Educational and third mission activities
• Presentation of smart polymer group’s research activities at Bright-Night, 29 september 2023.

Poster communications at conferences
• “Synthesis of conjugated polymers with redox pendants as cathodes for secondary batteries”. Luca Soldati, Andrea Pucci, Marco Carlotti. Merck Young Chemists’ Symposium (MYCS) 2023, Rimini, 13-15 November 2023.

Funding
Europe project