Thesis co-supervised by Prof. J-L. Six (LCPM) & Dr. K. Ferji (LCPM),
"I am currently completing my PhD, supported by the ANR WATCAPS, on the design of double-hydrophilic copolymers to stabilize water-in-water (W/W) emulsions. Unlike conventional emulsions, W/W systems do not require organic solvents, which makes them highly attractive for biomedical, food, and cosmetic applications. However, their practical use is limited by poor stability and rapid phase separation.
"I am currently completing my PhD, supported by the ANR WATCAPS, on the design of double-hydrophilic copolymers to stabilize water-in-water (W/W) emulsions. Unlike conventional emulsions, W/W systems do not require organic solvents, which makes them highly attractive for biomedical, food, and cosmetic applications. However, their practical use is limited by poor stability and rapid phase separation.
In my work, I developed novel dextran-based copolymers synthesized via photo-RAFT polymerization to act as stabilizers at W/W interfaces. These copolymers successfully improved emulsion stability and, through chemical crosslinking strategies (thiol-yne “click” chemistry), I was able to obtain emulsions that resist dilution up to fourfold. I also conducted preliminary studies on the enzymatic degradability of these materials, pointing to their potential eco-compatibility.
This project demonstrates that tailored polymer architectures can provide a new generation of stabilizers for W/W emulsions, opening opportunities for their use in sustainable industrial and biomedical applications."
Saye Niang, Hyun Jung Lee, L. Benyahia, T. Nicolai, Frédéric Renou, K. Ferji, J. Six
Carbohydrate Polymers, 2025
Niang Saye, Jihad Oumerri, A. Arteni, J. Six, K. Ferji*
Macromolecular rapid communications, 2025, pp. e00412