Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) has been widely used in polymer science to study the nano-scale morphology of various polymers. The data obtained from SAXS give information about sizes and shapes of macromolecules, characteristic distances of partially ordered materials, pore sizes, and so on. The understanding of these structural parameters is crucial in polymer science in that it will help to explain the origin of various properties of polymers, and guide design of future polymers with desired properties. We have been able to further develop the contrast variation method in SAXS to study the morphology of Nafion 117CS containing different alkali metal ions in solid state. Contrast variation allows one to manipulate scattering data to obtain desired morphological information. At room temperature, only the crystalline peak was found for Na⁺-form Nafion, while for Cs⁺-form Nafion only the ionic peak was observed. The utilization of one dimensional correlation function on different counterion forms of Nafion further demonstrates the necessity of contrast variation method in obtaining more detailed morphological information of Nafion. This separation of the ionic peak and the crystalline peak in Nafion provides a means to independently study the crystalline and ionic components without each other's effect, which could be further applied to other ionomer systems. We also designed time resolved SAXS experiments to study the morphological development during solution processing Nafion. As solvent was removed from Nafion dispersion through evaporation, solid-state morphological development occurred through a variety of processes including phase-inversion, aggregation of interacting species (e.g., ionic functionalities), and crystallization of backbone segments. To probe the real-time morphological development during membrane processing that accurately simulates industrial protocols, a unique sample cell has been constructed that allows for through-film synchrotron SAXS data acquisition during solvent evaporation and film formation. For the first time, this novel experiment allows for a complete analysis of structural evolution from solution/dispersion to solid-state film formation, and we were able to show that the crystallites within Nafion develop later than the formation of ionic domains, and they do not reside in the cylindrical particles, but are dispersed in solution/dispersion. Besides bulk morphology of Nafion, we have also performed Grazing Incident SAXS to study the surface morphology of Nafion. We were able to manipulate the surface morphology of Nafion via neutralizing H⁺-form Nafion with different large organic counterions, as well as annealing Nafion thin films under different temperatures. This not only allows to obtain more detailed information of the nano-structures in Nafion thin films, but also provides a means to achieve desired morphology for better fuel cell applications. We have also been able to study the polymer chain conformation in solution via measuring persistence length by utilizing solution SAXS. Different methods have been applied to study the SAXS profiles, and the measured persistence lengths for stilbene and styrenic alternating copolymers range from 2 to 6 nm, which characterizes these copolymers into a class of semi-rigid polymers. This study allows to elucidate the steric crowding effect on the chain stiffness of these polymers, which provides fundamental understanding of polymer chain behaviors in solution. Self-assembling in block copolymers has also been studied using SAXS. We established a morphological model for a multiblock copolymer used as a fuel cell material from General Motors®, and this morphological model could be used to explain the origins of the mechanical and transport properties of this material. Furthermore, several other block copolymers have been studied using SAXS, which showed interesting phase separated morphologies. These morphological data have been successfully applied to explain the origins of various properties of these block copolymers, which provide fundamental knowledge of structure-property relationship in block copolymers. / Ph. D.

Conjugated organic polymers have attracted immense interest for use in the active layer of photovoltaic cells, electroluminescent displays and diagnostic sensors. Precise control of the chemical structure of these conjugated materials is essential to achieve better device performance and certain structural aspects which have received minimal investigation include; the nature of the end groups, the precise control of the molecular weight and the formation of novel polymer topologies. Absolute control of these factors, in particular the end groups, has the potential to further tune the electro-optical properties, eliminate charge trapping and reactive sites, and facilitate block copolymer formation. The ring opening metathesis polymerisation of highly strained cyclophanediene monomers has proven to be an advantageous route to obtain soluble poly(p-phenylenevinylene)s (PPVs). In an extension of this previous work PPVs with both a pristine polymer backbone microstructure and a range of well-defined functional end groups have been prepared. These polymers exhibited excellent degrees of functionality, relatively narrow unimodal distributions and degrees of polymerisation much higher than those attainable by alternate routes. In particular the incorporation of an α-bromoester end group directly resulted in PPVs which were effective macroinitiators in the atom transfer radical polymerisation of methyl methacrylate. The diblock copolymers prepared by this route were isolated with narrow polydispersities, unimodal distributions and were free from homopolymer impurities. This method of preparing rod-b-coil diblock copolymers, where the properties of the two segments can readily be modified, provides access to materials which are of interest for both their self-assembly ability and for the development of a much required phase diagram in this area. Cyclic PPVs are of synthetic interest both for the absence of any end groups and for an infinitely long π-conjugated backbone, both of which are expected to contribute to unique electro-optical properties. The preparation of these target polymers was investigated by the ring expansion metathesis polymerisation of the cyclophanediene monomers. The formation of purely cyclic, low molecular weight PPVs was found to be highly dependent on both the reaction conditions used and the nature of the solubilising substituents. For example the preparation of purely cyclic PPVs with alkoxy side chains was unsuccessful, however the incorporation of alkyl side chains allowed for the successful isolation of the desired cyclic polymers.

Ce travail de thèse porte sur la synthèse de (co)polymères thermosensibles présentant une fonctionnalité azlactone par polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée RAFT pour l’ancrage de biomolécules. Trois stratégies différentes ont été étudiées. La première stratégie a consisté en la synthèse d’un nouvel agent de transfert permettant d’obtenir des polymères thermosensibles à fonctionnalité azlactone en position . La seconde approche a permis d’introduire la fonctionnalité azlactone en position ω de copolymères thermosensibles via la combinaison de la polymérisation RAFT et de l’addition de Michaël « thiol-ène ». La dernière stratégie a conduit à des copolymères thermosensibles à fonctionnalité azlactone en position latérale par copolymérisation RAFT de la 2-vinyl-4,4-diméthylazlactone avec d’autres monomères. Enfin, la réactivité de ces copolymères thermosensibles pour l’ancrage d’une protéine modèle (lysozyme) a été mise en évidence. / The synthesis of well-defined azlactone-functionalized thermoresponsive copolymers was performed using the RAFT polymerization and their interaction with primary amines and proteins was studied. Three different strategies have been developed. The first strategy was based on the synthesis of a novel azlactone-functionalized chain transfer agent which was used to target well defined  azlactone-functionalized thermoresponsive polymers. In the second approach, ω-azlactone-terminated thermoresponsive copolymers were prepared by a combination of RAFT polymerization and “thiol ene” Michaël’s addition. In the last strategy, RAFT copolymerization of 2-vinyl-4,4 dimethylazlactone with other monomers has been performed to target well-defined azlactone functionalized copolymers. Finally, the reactivity of such reactive thermoresponsive copolymers was successfully demonstrated by bioconjugation with a model protein (lysozyme).

Ce manuscrit de thèse porte sur la formation de masques de réseaux denses de nanopiliers ou nanotrous à partir de l’auto-assemblage de copolymères à blocs (CPB) à haute force de ségrégation, pour des applications dans la micro-électronique. Des copolymères à blocs, de type ABA, constitués d’un bloc central de polydiméthylsiloxane (PDMS) et de deux blocs terminaux de polylactide (PLA) ont été synthétisés par polymérisation par ouverture de cycle. Les caractérisations de deux CPB d’intérêt en masse et sous forme de film mince montrent une mesostructure hexagonale sphérique et cylindrique de PLA dans la matrice de PDMS,avec des périodes de 14,3 et 15,5 nm respectivement. Afin de contrôler l’organisation des domaines, les autoassemblages des films minces des deux CPB ont été étudiés en fonction de plusieurs facteurs : paramètres de dépôt et post-traitements (exposition à des vapeurs de solvant et recuit thermique). Dans le cas du réseau hexagonal cylindrique, le contrôle des énergies interfaciales entre le film et le substrat de silicium a été obtenu grâce au greffage d’une couche de copolymères statistique ayant des blocs chimiquement différent des blocs contenus dans le CPB. Par ailleurs, à des fins industrielles, les mesostructures doivent montrer une organisation à grande échelle (plusieurs micromètres) dépourvue de défauts. Dans cette perspective, l’auto-assemblage des CPB a aussi été étudié sur des surfaces à topographie contrôlée (graphoépitaxie) montrant un relief sinusoïdal. / This manuscript is related to the formation of high density masks of nanoholes or nanodotsmade from high segregation strength block copolymer (BCP) for applications in the microelectronicindustry. Two block copolymers, ABA type with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) center block and twoterminal polylactide (PLA) blocks, where synthetized by a ring opening polymerization. BCP characterizations inbulk and in thin film show a hexagonal array of PLA spheres and cylinders in a PDMS matrix, with 14,3 and 15,5nm pitches respectively. In order to control the domain organization, thin film BCP self-assembly were studiedin function of several parameters : spin coating process and post-treatments (vapour and thermal annealing). Inthe case of the hexagonal array of cylinders, the control of the interfacial energy between the film and thesilicon wafer has been obtained by grafting a random copolymer layer. Due to their microelectronicapplications, the mesostructures need to be defectless at a large scale (several micrometres). In this way, theself-assembly of one of the two BCP has also been studied by graphoexpitaxy on a sinusoidal surface-reliefgratings.

O poli(ácido láctico) (PLA) é um polímero biodegradável, biocompatível e bioabsorvível proveniente de fontes renováveis. Constitui uma excelente alternativa sustentável para substituição dos polímeros provenientes de petróleo, atualmente dominantes no mercado industrial. Apesar das vantagens, o PLA tem baixa tenacidade e reduzida elongação na ruptura a temperatura ambiente, o que torna a sua utilização limitada em usos que necessitem de alta deformação plástica em níveis de exigência mecânicos elevados. Misturas mecânicas de PLA com polímeros altamente flexíveis, como é o caso da poli(ε-caprolactona) (PCL), podem resultar em novos materiais com propriedades mecânicas adequadas para diferentes aplicações. Blendas PLA/PCL são completamente imiscíveis, sendo seu comportamento mecânico altamente dependente da interação interfacial entre os componentes da blenda. Portanto, o objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar o efeito compatibilizante de um copolímero em bloco de baixa massa molar (2000 g mol-1) derivado de ε-caprolactona e policarbonato (C2) e, disponível comercialmente em blendas imiscíveis PLA/PCL. Blendas binárias e ternárias foram preparadas por mistura mecânica no estado fundido via processo de extrusão em rosca simples. O teor de PLA nas blendas foi de 75, 50 e 25% (em massa) e a concentração do copolímero de 0, 1, 3, 5 e 7% (em massa). O comportamento térmico, morfológico e mecânico das blendas compatibilizadas e não compatibilizadas foi avaliado por Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), Análise Termodinâmico-Mecânica (DMTA), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) e ensaios de tração, flexão e impacto Izod. Os resultados de DSC e DMTA indicaram que o copolímero provocou pequena redução na temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg) do PLA, sugerindo que o C2 é solúvel no PLA. Entretanto, nas micrografias das superfícies de fraturas do PLA foi nítida a presença de pequenas micelas formadas pelo copolímero em bloco, indicando que há um limite de solubilidade do compatibilizante na fase de PLA. Os resultados obtidos em tração mostraram que com o aumento do teor de compatibilizante, a tensão no escoamento, a tensão na ruptura e o módulo elástico das blendas sofrem alterações. A propriedade de tenacidade, avaliada no ensaio de impacto Izod, mostrou que as blendas tiveram um ganho na resistência quando comparadas com o PLA puro. Os resultados mostraram que o copolímero em bloco derivado de ε-caprolactona e policarbonato alifático pode atuar como compatibilizante para blendas PLA/PCL / Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer from renewable sources. It is an excellent sustainable alternative for replacing petroleum polymers, currently dominant in the industrial market. Despite the advantages, PLA has low toughness and reduced elongation at room temperature, which makes its use limited in uses that require high plastic deformation under high mechanical stress levels. Mechanical mixtures of PLA with highly flexible polymers, such as poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), may result in new materials with mechanical properties suitable for different applications. PLA/PCL blends are completely immiscible, and their mechanical behavior is highly dependent on the interfacial interaction between the components of the blend. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the compatibilizing effect of a low molar mass block copolymer (2000 g mol-1) derived from ε-caprolactone and polycarbonate (C2) and commercially available in PLA/PCL immiscible blends. Binary and ternary blends were prepared by mechanical mixing in the melted state via single-screw extrusion process. The content of PLA in the blends was 75, 50 and 25% (% by mass) and the copolymer concentration was 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7% (% by mass). The thermal, mechanical and morphological behavior of compatibilized and non-compatibilized blends was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermodynamic-mechanical analysis (DMTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile test, flexion test, and Izod impact. The results of DSC and DMTA indicated that the copolymer caused a small reduction in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA, suggesting that C2 is soluble in PLA. However, in the micrographies of the fracture surfaces of the PLA the presence of small micelles formed by the block copolymer is clear, indicating that there is a limit of solubility of the compatibilizer in the PLA phase. The results obtained in a tensile test showed that with the increase of the compatibilizing content, the tension in the flow, the tension at rupture and the elastic modulus of the blends undergo changes. The tenacity property, evaluated in the Izod impact test, showed that the blends had a gain in resistance when compared to pure PLA. The results showed that block copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and aliphatic polycarbonate can act as a compatibilizer for PLA/PCL blends.

A utilização de polímeros biocompatíveis na formulação de partículas carreadoras de fármacos visando a redução da toxicidade, o controle da taxa de liberação ou o aumento da biodisponibilidade do princípio ativo, vem sendo amplamente estudada. Neste caso, para que o resultado desejado seja efetivo, em geral, é necessário agregar propriedades distintas de dois ou mais polímeros. Assim sendo, neste trabalho, duas rotas sintéticas foram estudadas para a síntese de copolímeros em blocos, do tipo poli(N-vinilcaprolactama)-b-poli(etileno glicol) (PNVCL-b-PEG). Inicialmente, estudou-se a síntese destes copolímeros via reações de acoplamento, entre a PNVCL-COOH, com terminação carboxila, e o mPEG-OH, com uma hidroxila terminal. Em seguida, avaliou-se a síntese dos copolímeros pelo mecanismo de Polimerização por Transferência Reversível de Cadeias via Adição-Fragmentação (RAFT), partindo-se da síntese de um macroagente de transferência de cadeia à base de PEG (mPEG-oEX), seguido da reação de extensão de cadeia utilizando a NVCL como monômero. Com base nos resultados de massa molar, distribuição de massa molar (PDI) e rendimento de reação, foi escolhida a rota sintética de esterificação para a síntese dos copolímeros em bloco. Os copolímeros obtidos foram empregados na formulação de partículas utilizando a técnica de secagem por atomização. Verificou-se que o tipo de solvente e a concentração dos solutos nas formulações são fatores importantes que afetam diretamente a morfologia das partículas finais. A eficiência de encapsulação do cetoprofeno foi superior a 80% e a eficiência de recuperação das partículas por atomização foi inferior a 60%. A encapsulação de cetoprofeno na matriz polimérica via atomização, resultou na redução da cristalinidade da droga, o que favoreceu o aumento na velocidade de liberação do fármaco. / The use of biocompatible polymers in formulations of carrier particles for drugs aiming to reduce toxicity, to control the release rate or to increase the bioavailability has been widely studied. In this case, for the targeted result to be effective, normally, it is necessary the combinations of different proprieties of two or more polymers. Therefore, in this work, two synthetic routes were studied for the synthesis of block copolymers based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-bpoly(ethylene glycol) (PNVCL-b-PEG). Initially, it was studied the synthesis of this copolymer by coupling reaction, between the PNVCL-COOH, with carboxylic endgroup, and the mPEG-OH, with a hydroxyl end-group. Then, it was evaluated the synthesis of this copolymer by Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain-Transfer (RAFT) polymerization, started with the synthesis of a PEG-based macrochaintransfer agent (mPEG-oEX), followed by chain extension reactions, using NVCL as monomer. Based on the results of molar masses and molar masses distribution index (PDI), and the reaction yield, esterification was the synthetic route chosen for the synthesis of the block copolymers. The copolymers obtained were used in particles formulation via the spray drying technique. It was verified that the type of solvent and the solids content of formulation are important factors that affect directly the morphology of the final particles. The encapsulation efficiency of ketoprofen was higher than 80% and the particle recovery efficiency by spray drying was less than 60%. The ketoprofen encapsulation into polymeric matrix by atomization, resulted in the decrease of drug crystallinity, which favored the increase on drug release rate.

O poli(ácido láctico) (PLA) é um polímero biodegradável, biocompatível e bioabsorvível proveniente de fontes renováveis. Constitui uma excelente alternativa sustentável para substituição dos polímeros provenientes de petróleo, atualmente dominantes no mercado industrial. Apesar das vantagens, o PLA tem baixa tenacidade e reduzida elongação na ruptura a temperatura ambiente, o que torna a sua utilização limitada em usos que necessitem de alta deformação plástica em níveis de exigência mecânicos elevados. Misturas mecânicas de PLA com polímeros altamente flexíveis, como é o caso da poli(ε-caprolactona) (PCL), podem resultar em novos materiais com propriedades mecânicas adequadas para diferentes aplicações. Blendas PLA/PCL são completamente imiscíveis, sendo seu comportamento mecânico altamente dependente da interação interfacial entre os componentes da blenda. Portanto, o objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar o efeito compatibilizante de um copolímero em bloco de baixa massa molar (2000 g mol-1) derivado de ε-caprolactona e policarbonato (C2) e, disponível comercialmente em blendas imiscíveis PLA/PCL. Blendas binárias e ternárias foram preparadas por mistura mecânica no estado fundido via processo de extrusão em rosca simples. O teor de PLA nas blendas foi de 75, 50 e 25% (em massa) e a concentração do copolímero de 0, 1, 3, 5 e 7% (em massa). O comportamento térmico, morfológico e mecânico das blendas compatibilizadas e não compatibilizadas foi avaliado por Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), Análise Termodinâmico-Mecânica (DMTA), Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) e ensaios de tração, flexão e impacto Izod. Os resultados de DSC e DMTA indicaram que o copolímero provocou pequena redução na temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg) do PLA, sugerindo que o C2 é solúvel no PLA. Entretanto, nas micrografias das superfícies de fraturas do PLA foi nítida a presença de pequenas micelas formadas pelo copolímero em bloco, indicando que há um limite de solubilidade do compatibilizante na fase de PLA. Os resultados obtidos em tração mostraram que com o aumento do teor de compatibilizante, a tensão no escoamento, a tensão na ruptura e o módulo elástico das blendas sofrem alterações. A propriedade de tenacidade, avaliada no ensaio de impacto Izod, mostrou que as blendas tiveram um ganho na resistência quando comparadas com o PLA puro. Os resultados mostraram que o copolímero em bloco derivado de ε-caprolactona e policarbonato alifático pode atuar como compatibilizante para blendas PLA/PCL / Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer from renewable sources. It is an excellent sustainable alternative for replacing petroleum polymers, currently dominant in the industrial market. Despite the advantages, PLA has low toughness and reduced elongation at room temperature, which makes its use limited in uses that require high plastic deformation under high mechanical stress levels. Mechanical mixtures of PLA with highly flexible polymers, such as poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), may result in new materials with mechanical properties suitable for different applications. PLA/PCL blends are completely immiscible, and their mechanical behavior is highly dependent on the interfacial interaction between the components of the blend. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the compatibilizing effect of a low molar mass block copolymer (2000 g mol-1) derived from ε-caprolactone and polycarbonate (C2) and commercially available in PLA/PCL immiscible blends. Binary and ternary blends were prepared by mechanical mixing in the melted state via single-screw extrusion process. The content of PLA in the blends was 75, 50 and 25% (% by mass) and the copolymer concentration was 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7% (% by mass). The thermal, mechanical and morphological behavior of compatibilized and non-compatibilized blends was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermodynamic-mechanical analysis (DMTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile test, flexion test, and Izod impact. The results of DSC and DMTA indicated that the copolymer caused a small reduction in the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA, suggesting that C2 is soluble in PLA. However, in the micrographies of the fracture surfaces of the PLA the presence of small micelles formed by the block copolymer is clear, indicating that there is a limit of solubility of the compatibilizer in the PLA phase. The results obtained in a tensile test showed that with the increase of the compatibilizing content, the tension in the flow, the tension at rupture and the elastic modulus of the blends undergo changes. The tenacity property, evaluated in the Izod impact test, showed that the blends had a gain in resistance when compared to pure PLA. The results showed that block copolymer derived from ε-caprolactone and aliphatic polycarbonate can act as a compatibilizer for PLA/PCL blends.

Ce travail de thèse de doctorat vise à l’élaboration de surfaces poreuses hiérarchiquement structurées à partir de copolymères aux structures bien définies ainsi qu’à l’étude de leurs propriétés. La chimie des polymères, en constante évolution, a permis dans ce travail de thèse la synthèse de copolymères diblocs de natures diverses par des techniques de polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée tout aussi variées. En effet, la polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée par les nitroxydes (NMP), par transfert d’atome (ATRP), par transfert réversible d’addition/fragmentation (RAFT) et par le Cu(0) ont été utilisées pour la synthèse de copolymères diblocs associant un bloc de poly(styrène) à divers blocs d’acrylates ou de 4-vinylpyridine. Intimement associée à un procédé d’élaboration basé sur l’évaporation de solvant, nommé figure de souffle (trad. Breath Figure), la synthèse de ces copolymères a permis l’élaboration de surfaces poreuses hiérarchiquement structurées aux échelles du micro et nanomètre. Les différentes phases ont conféré à ces matériaux des propriétés particulières d’adhésion, de mouillabilité ou encore de bioactivité. Ces recherches doctorales ont bénéficié de la double compétence du laboratoire en chimie et en physico-chimie des polymères. En effet, des techniques de microscopie (optique, à force atomique ou électronique), de diffusion de rayonnement (neutrons et rayon-X aux petits angles) ainsi que des tests de pégosité et de mouillabilité ont permis l’étude de la structuration des films ainsi que l’étude de leurs propriétés de surface. / The present studies aim at designing hierarchically structured porous surface from copolymers with well defined structures. As a science in constant evolution, polymer chemistry, enable the synthesis of diblock copolymers with different natures by the mean of various radical controlled polymerization techniques. Indeed, radical controlled polymerization with nitroxyde (NMP), by atom transfer (ATRP), by reversible addition/fragmentation transfer (RAFT) or by Cu(0) were used for the synthesis of diblock copolymers based on polystyrene and different acrylates or 4-vinylpyridine blocks. The intimately association between a fast solvent evaporation process named the Breath Figure and the synthesis of the copolymers enable the production of hierarchically structured materials from micro to nanoscale. The nature of the different blocks confers adhesion, wettability or bioactivity properties to these materials. These researches benefit from the chemistry and physico-chemistry laboratory competences. Indeed, microscopy techniques (optical, atomic force and electronic), scattering (small angle neutron or X-ray) as well as tack or wettability measurements enable the complete characterization of films structuration and point up their properties.

Les nanotopographies de surface présentant des dimensions comparables à celles des éléments de la matrice extracellulaire offrent la possibilité de réguler le comportement cellulaire. L’étude de l’impact de la nanotopographie sur la réponse cellulaire a été toujours limitée compte tenu des précisions limitées sur les géométries produites, en particulier sur les plus grandes surfaces. Des matériaux base silicium présentant des nanopiliers avec des géométries parfaitement contrôlées ont été fabriqués et leur impact sur la différentiation ostéogénique de cellules souches mésenchymateuses humaines (hMCSs) a été étudié. Des matériaux avec des nanopiliers de dimensions critiques comprises entre 40 et 200 nm et des écarts types inférieurs à 15% sur un wafer de silicium, ont été réalisés en profitant de la capacité d’auto-assemblage des copolymères à blocs. Pour mettre en évidence si des modifications de la chimie de la surface des nanopiliers pourraient favoriser la différenciation des MSCs, des peptides mimétiques ont été greffés sur les matériaux fabriqués. Un peptide connu pour sa capacité d’améliorer l'adhésion cellulaire (peptide RGD), un peptide synthétique capable d'améliorer l'ostéogenèse (peptide mimétique BMP-2) et une combinaison de ces deux peptides ont été immobilisés de manière covalente sur les matériaux silicium présentant des nanopiliers de différentes géométries (diamètre, espacement et hauteur).Les essais d'immunofluorescence et de réaction en chaîne de la polymérase quantitative (RT-qPCR) révèlent un impact des nanotopographies sur la différenciation ostéogénique des hMSCs. De plus, il a été constaté que la différenciation des cellules dépendait de l'âge du donneur. La fonctionnalisation de surface a permis une augmentation supplémentaire de l'expression des marqueurs ostéogéniques, en particulier lorsque le peptide RGD et le peptide mimétique BMP-2 sont co-immobilisés en surface. Cette étude met clairement en évidence l’impact de nanostructures avec différentes bioactivités sur la différentiation de MSCs. Ces matériaux pourront trouver leur place dans des cultures in vitro, dans l’élaboration de nouveaux biomatériaux osseux et dans de nouveaux produits d’ingénierie tissulaire. / Nanotopography with length scales of the order of extracellular matrix elements offers the possibility of regulating cell behavior. Investigation of the impact of nanotopography on cell response has been limited by inability to precisely control geometries, especially at high spatial resolutions, and across practically large areas. This work allowed the fabrication of well-controlled and periodic nanopillar arrays of silicon to investigate their impact on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Silicon nanopillar arrays with critical dimensions in the range of 40-200 nm, exhibiting standard deviations below 15% across full wafers were realized using self-assembly of block copolymer colloids. To investigate if modifications of surface chemistry could further improve the modulation of hMSC differentiation, mimetic peptides were grafted on the fabricated nanoarrays. A peptide known for its ability to ameliorate cell adhesion (RGD peptide), a synthetic peptide able to enhance osteogenesis (BMP-2 mimetic peptide), and a combination or both molecules were covalently grafted on the nanostructures.Immunofluorescence and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) measurements reveal clear dependence of osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs on the diameter and periodicity of the arrays. Moreover, the differentiation of hMSCs was found to be dependent on the age of the donor. Surface functionalization allowed additional enhancement of the expression of osteogenic markers, in particular when RGD peptide and BMP-2 mimetic peptide were co-immobilized. These findings can contribute for the development of personalized treatments of bone diseases, namely novel implant nanostructuring depending on patient age.

L'obtention de copolymères à blocs occupe maintenant une place considérable dans la chimie macromoléculaire depuis l'avènement de nouvelles techniques de polymérisations contrôlées (polymérisation anionique coordinée, polymérisation cationique. polymérisation radicalaire contrôlée, ...) en plus de la polymérisation anionique Ces polymérisations contrôlées sont le seul moyen d'obtenir des polymères bien définis et plus particulièrement des copolymères à blocs en étoile. Pour ces copolymères à blocs, le couplage de deux polymères offre l'avantage de combiner leurs propriétés souvent divergentes (des blocs hydrophiles et des blocs hydrophobes, des blocs ioniques et des blocs non ioniques, des blocs rigides et des blocs mous, des blocs amorphes et des blocs cristallins) dans une seule structure. Un intérêt croissant s'est récemment développé pour les copolymères à blocs comportant des polymères biocompatibles et des polymères fonctionnalisés. L'auto-assemblage de copolymères à blocs dans des solvants sélectifs ainsi que la micellisation des copolymères à blocs et leur efficacité en tant que stabilisants d'émulsions sont particulièrement étudiés dans la littérature. Les PDMS sont des matériaux extrêmement intéressants, car ils possèdent de nombreuses propriétés physico-chimiques comparés aux autres polymères: températures de transition vitreuse faibles (env. -120°C) très grande flexibilité de la chaîne, bonne résistance à l'oxydation, résistance thermique et aux UV hydrophobicité, biocompatibilité, haute perméabilité aux gaz et faible énergie de surface. En dépit de leurs nombreuses propriétés particulières, les homopolymères PDMS sont mécaniquement trop faibles pour être utilisés dans différentes applications pratiques. En raison de leurs grands volumes de leur faible énergie de surface et de leur haute flexibilité de chaîne, les PDMS tendent à être rejetés de la matrice quand ils sont mélangés avec d'autres polymères. Un moyen efficace d'augmenter la compatibilité de ces mélanges est de former des copolymères siloxane-polymère organique. La poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), un polyester aliphatique linéaire, est un polymère biocompatible et biodégradable et il est bien connu pour être miscible avec une grande variété de polymères. Les copolymères à blocs basés sur le PDMS et la PCL combinent les excellentes propriétés du PDMS avec l'effet de compatibilisation de la PCL. Cela en fait d'excellents candidats comme additifs pour la modification de surface, l'encapsulation de médicaments et dans des applications en tant que biomatériaux. La première partie de ce travail de thèse porte sur la synthèse de différents copolymères diblocs (PCL-b-PDMS), triblocs (PCL-b-PDMS-b-PCL) et en étoile (PCL)2-PDMS de masses molaires variables, par polymérisation anionique coordinée de l'e-caprolactone à partir d'un macroamorceur PDMS mono- ou dihydroxylé. Les copolymères à blocs synthétisés ont été caractérisés pour montrer l'influence de leur structure (linéaire ou étoile) sur leurs propriétés thermiques (température de transition vitreuse, température et enthalpie de fusion) et leur morphologie (taux de cristallinité).Le poly(chlorure de vinyle) non plastifié (PVC) est un polymère amorphe, linéaire, thermoplastique, avec un grand intérêt commercial. Quand il est plastifié, le PVC présente des propriétés intéressantes permettant des applications dans le domaine biomédical (tubes de sang pour l'hémodialyse, tubes endotrachéales, cathéters, lentilles de contact, gants, ainsi que l'emballage pour l'entreposage des médicaments). Parmi les plastifiants polymères qui peuvent être utilisés pour le PVC, les polyesters aliphatiques sont d'un grand intérêt, en particulier la poly(e-caprolaclone). Pour conférer une hémocompatibilité il peut être ajouté à ces mélanges des polysiloxanes, en particulier des poly(dimethylsiloxanes). / Synthesis and characterizationof block copolymers and star block copolymers from new heteromultifuntional initiators Synthesis of block copoymers occupies an important place in macromolecular chemistrv since the advent of new techniques for controlled polymerizations (coordinated anionic polymerization, cationic polymerizatio, controlled radical polvmerization,...) in addition to anionic polymerization.