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Academic staff : Sébastien Perrier

Associate Professor

Address:

Room 351
School of Chemistry, Building F11
The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
Email address: s.perrier@chem.usyd.edu.au
Telephone 61 (2) 9351 3366
Fax 61 (2) 9351 3329

Career Profile:

Diplome d’ingenieur, Ecole National Superieur de Chimie de Montpellier, France, 1998
Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies, Universite Montpellier II, France, 1998
Ph.D., the University of Warwick, UK, 2001
Postdoctoral Fellow, UNSW, Australia, 2001-2002
Lecturer, the University of Leeds, UK, 2002-2005
Senior-Lecturer, the University of Leeds, UK, 2005-2007
Associate Professor, the University of Sydney, Australia, 2007-

Areas of Interest:

• Soft Matter
• Polymer synthesis and characterisation
• Radical chemistry
• Catalysis

Research:

In the last 50 years, the area of macromolecule synthesis has evolved from large bulk processes to manufacture commodity polymers (‘plastics’), to specific polymerisation techniques that produce highly functional materials for high tech applications. Our team specialises in the synthesis and characterisation of macromolecules with highly controlled and pre-determinable structures using controlled/living free radical polymerisation, to design new materials, or improve existing ones. Our research is at the interface between the understanding of the chemistry behind the polymerisation techniques, and the production of functional materials for targeted applications. Such applications can be in the field of pharmacy (e.g. drug delivery), biology (e.g. antimicrobial materials, synthetic proteins), nanotechnology (e.g. components for optoelectronic applications), physics (e.g. rheology modifiers) or chemistry (polymerisation catalysts, processes, etc.). Much of our research is carried out in close collaboration with our industrial and academic partners.

Our research lies at the interface of Organic Synthesis and Materials / Soft Matter Science.

Synthesis:

- Development of synthetic pathways to produce functional precursors for polymerisation (initiators, monomers, etc.) and study of polymerization catalysts.



- Polymerisation chemistry: Mechanism and kinetics – Understanding the basis of the chemistry involved in a polymerisation system is essential to produce well controlled functional materials. Our main interest concerns the study of transition metal chemistry toward the development of transition metal mediated living radical polymerization (ATRP) and radical organic chemistry used in reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation.

- Process: In order to realistically plan the development of new polymerisation techniques from the laboratory bench to industrial scale, we investigate reactions scale-up, high-throughput syntheses, and sustainable processes.

Material / Soft Matter Science:

Our understanding of the chemistry involved in polymer synthesis allows us to produce functional materials for targeted applications. Our main research interests are divided in four mainstream areas:

- Complex Macromolecular Architectures: We develop complex polymeric architectures (block copolymers, star (co)polymers, branched (co)polymers, graft (co)polymers, etc.) with unique properties.

- Functional Polymeric Materials: By controlling the synthesis of polymeric chains, we can produce functional macromolecules and materials.

- Polymer self-assembly: Polymers of controlled architecture and functionality can self-assemble in solution or in the bulk. We exploit these properties to develop ‘smart’ nanomaterials (e.g. nanocontainers, etc.)

- Hybrid synthetic / natural materials: By functionalising natural polymers (proteins, peptides, cellulose, etc.) with synthetic polymeric chains, we modify their properties and behaviour.

- Hybrid synthetic / natural materials: By functionalising natural polymers (proteins, peptides, cellulose, etc.) with synthetic polymeric chains, we modify their properties and behaviour.

See our homepage for further details: http://www.kcpc.usyd.edu.au

Publications (2007 to 2009):

  1. Kakwere, H and Perrier, S. Facile synthesis of star-shaped copolymers via combination of RAFT and ring opening polymerization. Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 47 (23), 6396-6408, 2009. DOI: 10.1002/pola.23680

  2. Suchao-In, N; Chirachanchai, S and Perrier, S. Fluorescent pH-/thermo-responsive micelles from block copolymers synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Polymeric Materials Science and Engineering (PMSE Preprints), 100, 486-486, 2009.

  3. Jitchum, V and Perrier, S. Functional soft nanoparticles via the RAFT process. Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering, 100, 481-481, 2009.

  4. Suchao-In, N; Chirachanchai, S and Perrier, S. pH- and thermo-multi-responsive fluorescent micelles from block copolymers via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Polymer, 50 (17), 4151-4158, 2009. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2009.06.047

  5. Huang, YK; Liu, Q; Zhou, XD; Perrier, S and Zhao, YL. Synthesis of silica particles grafted with well-defined living polymeric chains by combination of RAFT polymerization and coupling reaction. Macromolecules, 42 (15), 5509-5517, 2009. DOI: 10.1021/ma900604v

  6. Konkolewicz, D; Hawkett, BS; Gray-Weale, A and Perrier, S. RAFT polymerization kinetics: How long are the cross-terminating oligomers? Journal of Polymer Science Part A-Polymer Chemistry, 47 (14), 3455-3466, 2009. DOI: 10.1002/pola.23385

  7. Roy, D; Semsarilar, M; Guthrie, JT and Perrier, S. Cellulose modification by polymer grafting: A review. Chemical Society Reviews, 38 (7), 2046-2064, 2009. DOI: 10.1039/b808639g

  8. Konkolewicz, D; Siauw, M; Gray-Weale, A; Hawkett, BS and Perrier, S. Obtaining kinetic information from the chain-length distribution of polymers produced by RAFT. Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 113 (20), 7086-7094, 2009. DOI: 10.1021/jp900684t

  9. Sriprom, W; James, M; Perrier, S and Neto, C. Ordered microphase separation in thin films of PMMA-PBA synthesized by RAFT: Effect of block polydispersity. Macromolecules, 42 (8), 3138-3146, 2009. DOI: 10.1021/ma9004428

  10. Kakwere, H and Perrier, S. Orthogonal "relay" reactions for designing functionalized soft nanoparticles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 131 (5), 1889-1895, 2009. DOI: 10.1021/ja8075499

  11. Semsarilar, M and Perrier, S. Solubilization and functionalization of cellulose assisted by microwave irradiation. Australian Journal of Chemistry, 62 (3), 223-226, 2009. DOI: 10.1071/CH08491

  12. Nguyen, DH; Wood, MR; Zhao, Y; Perrier, S and Vana, P. Solid-supported MADIX polymerization of vinyl acetate. Macromolecules, 41 (19), 7071-7078, 2008. DOI: 10.1021/ma801328c

  13. Ladmiral, V; Legge, TM; Zhao, Yl and Perrier, S. "Click" chemistry and radical polymerization: Potential loss of orthogon. Macromolecules, 41 (18), 6728-6732, 2008. DOI: 10.1021/ma8010262

  14. Lee, H; Terry, E; Zong, M; Arrowsmith, N; Perrier, S; Thurecht, KJ and Howdle, SM. Successful dispersion polymerization in supercritical CO2 using polyvinylalkylate hydrocarbon surfactants synthesized and anchored via RAFT. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130 (37), 12242-12243, 2008. DOI: 10.1021/ja8046156

  15. Konkolewicz, D; Hawkett, BS; Gray-Weale, A and Perrier, S. RAFT polymerization kinetics: Combination of apparently conflicting models. Macromolecules, 41 (17), 6400-6412, 2008. DOI: 10.1021/ma800388c

  16. Barner-Kowollik, C and Perrier, S. The future of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Journal of Polymer Science Part A-Polymer Chemistry, 46 (17), 5715-5723, 2008. DOI: 10.1002/pola.22866

  17. Roy, D; Knapp, JS; Guthrie, JT and Perrier, S. Antibacterial cellulose fiber via RAFT surface graft polymerization. Biomacromolecules, 9 (1), 91-99, 2008. DOI: 10.1021/bm700849j

  18. Roy, D; Guthrie, JT and Perrier, S. Synthesis of natural-synthetic hybrid materials from cellulose via the RAFT process. Soft Matter, 4 (1), 145-155, 2008. DOI: 10.1039/b711248n

  19. Perrier, S. Controlled polymeric architectures via RAFT polymerisation. Polymer Preprints, 49 (1), 317-318, 2008.

  20. Perrier, S. Microwave assisted RAFT polymerization. Polymer Preprints, 49 (2), 922-923, 2008.

  21. Perrier, S. RAFT polymerisation, a versatile tool for the production of nanostructures. Polymer Preprints, 49 (2), 248-249, 2008.

  22. Barner, L and Perrier, S. Polymers with well-defined end groups via RAFT - synthesis, applications and postmodifications. Book chapter in: Handbook of RAFT Polymerization. ISBN: 978-3-527-31924-4, Editor: Professor Christopher Barner-Kowollik, Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co., Volume 1, 455-482, 2008.

  23. Perrier, S. Smart self-assemblies from block copolymers obtained via RAFT polymerization. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 96, 141-142, 2007.

  24. Zhao, Y and Perrier, S. Comparative study on Z-supported RAFT polymerization based on silica particles and Merrifield resin. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 96, 619-620, 2007.

  25. Mounteney, P; Rannard, S; Findlay, P; Duncalf, DJ and Perrier, S. Excellent control over branching kinetics via a one-pot RAFT polymerization reaction. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 96, 648-649, 2007.

  26. Zhao, Y and Perrier, S. Controlled free radical polymerization mediated by cysteine and glutathione-based chain transfer agents. Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering, 96, 820-821, 2007.

  27. Wood, MR; Duncalf, DJ; Findlay, P; Rannard, SP and Perrier, S. Investigation of the experimental factors affecting the trithiocarbonate-mediated RAFT polymerization of methyl acrylate. Aust. J. Chem., 60 (10), 772-778, 2007. DOI: 10.1071/CH07171

  28. Brown, SL; Rayner, CM and Perrier, S. Microwave-accelerated RAFT polymerization of polar monomers. Macromol. Rapid Commun., 28 (4), 478-483, 2007. DOI: 10.1002/marc.200600755

  29. Jitchum, V and Perrier, S. Living radical polymerization of isoprene via the RAFT process. Macromolecules, 40 (5), 1408-1412, 2007.

  30. Legge, TM; Slark, AT and Perrier, S. Novel difunctional reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent for the synthesis of telechelic and ABA triblock methacrylate and acrylate copolymers. Macromolecules, 40 (7), 2318-2326, 2007.

  31. Gemici, H; Legge, TM; Whittaker; M; Monteiro, MJ and Perrier, S. Original approach to multiblock copolymers via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Journal of Polymer Science: Part A; Polymer Chemistry, 45 (11), 2334-2340, 2007. DOI: 10.1002/pola.21985

  32. Perrier, S and Wang, X. Polymer Chemistry: Sacrificial synthesis. Nature, 445 (7125), 271-272, 2007.

  33. Zhao, Y and Perrier, S. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer graft polymerization mediated by fumed silica supported chain transfer agents. Macromolecules, 40 (25), 9116-9124, 2007. DOI: 10.1021/ma0716783

  34. Khaydarov, AA; Hamley, IW; Legge, TM and Perrier, S. Surface structure of thin asymmetric PS-b-PMMA diblock copolymers investigated by atomic force microscopy. European Polymer Journal, 43 (3), 789-796, 2007. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2006.10.006

  35. Zhao, Y and Perrier, S. Synthesis of poly(methyl acrylate) grafted onto silica particles by Z-supported RAFT polymerization. Macromol. Symp., 2007 (1), 94-103, 2007. DOI: 10.1002/masy.200750210

  36. Zhao, Y and Perrier, S. Synthesis of well-defined conjugated copolymers by RAFT polymerization using cysteine and glutathione-based chain transfer agents. ChemComm., 2007 (41), 4294-4296, 2007. DOI: 10.1039/b708293b

  37. Sriprom, W; Neel, M; Gabbutt, CD; Heron, BM and Perrier, S. Tuning the color switching of naphthopyrans via the control of polymeric architectures. J. Mater. Chem., 17 (19), 1885-1893, 2007. DOI: 10.1039/b617865k

  38. Brown, SL; Rayner, CM; Graham, S; Cooper, A; Rannard, S and Perrier, S. Ultra-fast microwave enhanced reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization: Monomers to polymers in minutes. ChemComm., 2007 (21), 2145-2147, 2007. DOI: 10.1039/b703386a
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