Sorbonne Université organise dans le cadre des Mardis de la Chimie, le mardi 12 mai 2026 à 11h00, une conférence intitulée "Supramolecular Microgels and Hydrogels : From Design to Stimuli-Responsive Behavior and Application" présentée par  Nicolas SANSON (Sorbonne Université, ESPCI-PSL).

Microgels and hydrogels based on supramolecular chemistry represent a rapidly evolving field, offering unique opportunities for the design of adaptive and multifunctional soft materials. Microgels, which are soft colloidal particles composed of crosslinked polymer networks swollen by a solvent, offer an exceptional platform thanks to their highly tunable structure and chemical versatility. Similarly, hydrogels have been extensively studied for their remarkable swelling properties and their ability to incorporate various types of crosslinks, either permanent (covalent) or reversible (physical). The possibility to finely adjust the nature and density of crosslinking within these materials is crucial, as it directly governs their macroscopic properties such as mechanical strength, elasticity, responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and self-healing ability.

In this context, the integration of supramolecular interactions, notably those based on metal-ligand coordination chemistry, has opened new perspectives for dynamically modulating the properties of these soft materials. Such supramolecular interactions act as reversible, stimuli- responsive "switches" that enable the control of material behavior in response to external triggers like temperature, pH, redox conditions, or the presence of metal ions.

Such dynamic adaptability is essential for applications where tunable performance and responsiveness are required, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, soft robotics, and smart coatings. The development of such supramolecular microgels and hydrogels are promising for creating functional materials with on-demand tunability and programmable functionalities.

This presentation will highlight the chemical design strategies, stimuli- responsiveness, and applications of supramolecular microgels and hydrogels, emphasizing their potential in fields such as soft robotics, biomedicine, fundamental studies and adaptive materials.