Synthesis of Biosourced Surfactants using Green Processes

Our team, which is part of the UMR 6226 CNRS "Sciences Chimiques de Rennes", is located at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes (ENSCR) in the "Organic Chemistry and Interfaces" team. For several years now, we have been developing a research topic concerning the design and synthesis of surface-active molecules based on vegetable materials, obtained using environmentally friendly synthesis processes. Research on ‘green' surfactants is being promoted as part of the start-up SurfactGreen (www.surfactgreen.com), winner of the 2019 innovation competition run by Bpifrance and Pierre Potier prize medal in 2022.

Surfactants are present in the majority of manufactured products because they have wetting, solubilizing, detergent or emulsifying properties sought in many fields such as cosmetics, detergents, agrochemistry, construction and public works or paints. They are most often derived from petrochemicals, are not biodegradable and are highly ecotoxic. The objective of this post-doctoral internship is to develop processes for the synthesis of new biodegradable and non/low eco-toxic surfactants using environmentally friendly synthesis processes (green chemistry), from innovative renewable raw materials. These new surfactants will be developed by SurfactGreen, a partner in the project. This project is financially supported by Bpifrance. It will start in September 2023, for a period of 18 months.

Applicants must have obtained a PhD in organic/green chemistry and have skills/knowledge in NMR analysis, chemistry of surfactants and chemical transformations of renewable raw materials. She/he will have to integrate industrial constraints/vision on this project and to report to SurfactGreen on the research progress. Moreover, the ability to work as part of a team, communication skills, as well as autonomy, adaptability, rigor, strong listening, inquisitiveness, efficiency, and good level of English are all valuable qualities sought for this position.
The results of the research will be valued as a priority by patent applications