Léna Alembik
Engineer
Team 5 : Polymers and Environment
The “Polymers & Environment” team is composed of chemists and physico-chemists specializing in polymer science, soft matter, colloidal systems, and bio-based materials. The team is headed by Etienne Grau, and includes Véronique Coma, Olivier Sandre, Christophe Schatz, and Gilles Sèbe.
The team was created in 2026 to address the urgent environmental challenges related to polymer materials. Our goal is to rethink the life cycle of polymers by integrating sustainability, recyclability, and environmental safety from the design stage onward.
Our research is organized into three main thematic axes:
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Safe-by-design polymer synthesis and materials: design of degradable, low-toxicity polymers using green chemistry approaches and structure–property–degradation relationships
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Recyclability and compatibilization: development of additive-assisted recycling processes, study of NIAS (non-intentionally added substances), and enhancement of mechanical recyclability
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Micro- and nanoplastics: investigation of particle formation, transformation, and detection in natural environments; development of materials and colloidal strategies for plastic depollution
Our activities span both fundamental and applied research, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners interested in building the next generation of safe, circular, and environmentally responsible polymer materials.
Latest publications
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Photocatalytic vs. photosynthetic reduction of nitrogen into ammonia: The importance of the sacrificial reducing agent Journal article
Zidouhia Doha, Grau Etienne, Bassani Dario M.
Journal title: Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Volume(s): 562, Part 1, Page(s): 217875 https://hal.science/hal-05601298/document 10.1016/j.ccr.2026.217875 (2026)
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Influence of Lipid Thioether Modification and Formulation Method on Lipoplex Structure, Stability and Transfection Efficiency in HEK293T Cells Journal article
Rochedy Manon, Dechamboux Laurie, Dupont Aurélien, Berchel Mathieu, Jaffrès Paul-Alain, Chapel Jean-Paul, Vivès Thomas, Leroyer Patricia, Tranchimand Sylvain, Gauffre Fabienne, Nallet Frédéric, Schatz Christophe, Loyer Pascal, Mónica Bravo-Anaya Lourdes
Journal title: Journal of materials chemistry B https://hal.science/hal-05733778/document 10.1039/D6TB00356G (2026)
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Precision Targeting of Human M2 Macrophages by Magnetic Nanoparticles Functionalized with an in-House Antibody Journal article
Bazile Chloe, Bordenave Julie, Amri Saber, Raynal Flavien, Ligat Laetitia, Farcé Manon, Coste Henri, Clerc Pascal, Sandre Olivier, Bousquet Corinne, Pancaldi Vera, Mornet Stéphane, Gigoux Veronique, Poupot Mary
Journal title: International Journal of Nanomedicine, Volume(s): Volume 21, Page(s): 619574 https://u-bordeaux.hal.science/hal-05765929/document 10.2147/IJN.S619574 (2026)