Study of degradation and stabilization of self-healing polymer composites in space environment.

The silicone resins used on satellites play a key role in the composition of thermal control coatings (flexible or rigid coatings designed to dissipate heat through infrared radiation while absorbing very little solar radiation) and transparent adhesives (mainly used for bonding the protective windows of solar cells). In flight, over time, these resins are subjected to the space environment damage, due to the presence of energetic photons and charged particles (protons and electrons) that are not found in the terrestrial atmosphere. Resins turn yellow and crack, leading to a degradation of their functional properties.

Since four PhD theses, a collaboration between CNES, ONERA, an academic laboratory specializing in chemistry and polymer materials, and for the first two, a manufacturer of space coatings, allowed a better understanding of the degradation of silicone materials exposed to this space environment. Innovative solutions for stabilization against UV and proton irradiations have been developed and validated.

Recently, the thesis of Mickaël Dufraysseix (co-funded by CNES/ONERA, 2023-2026) enabled the development of new self-healing materials [1] with mechanical properties close to those of the silicone resins currently used. The chemistry used, involving silylated ethers, also has the advantage of reducing the incorporation of organic units, which are the least resistant to protons irradiation.

The objective of this new thesis is to continue the promising work developed during the recent doctoral researches, particularly by combining the new self-healing materials developed and the solutions developed during David Lansade's thesis, such as the incorporation of functionalized nanoparticles on the surface of the resins [2]. The nature, size, dispersion, and functionalization of the nanoparticles within the self-healing matrices will be particularly studied during radiative aging tests, as well as the influence of each of these parameters on the stability of the innovative materials thus created.

References :

[1] Du Fraysseix Mickaël, and al. "Synthesis of Aldehyde Functional Polydimethylsiloxane as a New Precursor for Aliphatic Imine‐Based Self‐Healing PDMS." Macromolecular Rapid Communications (2025): 2500173.

[2] Lansade David, and al. "Enhanced resistance to proton irradiation of poly (dimethylsiloxane) resins through surface embedding of silica photonic crystals." Polymer Degradation and Stability 176 (2020): 109163.

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For more Information about the topics and the co-financial partner (found by the lab!); contact Directeur de thèse - stephane.carlotti@bordeaux-inp.fr

Then, prepare a resume, a recent transcript and a reference letter from your M2 supervisor/ engineering school director and you will be ready to apply online  before March 13th, 2026 Midnight Paris time !