Jens Gaitzsch

@jgaitzsch.bsky.social

Polymer chemist + volunteer in sports. Climbing+Ski enthusiast. Climate Crisis is just like Covid: Also real if you do not believe in it. Opinions are my own.

It is with great pleasure that I can announce the positive outcome of my habilitation procedure after a successful defense (research talk and teaching lecture) today. Thank you very much to everyone who supported me along the way!

Bild

I am happy to share that radical ring-opening polymerisation (RROP) is now able to form networks just by itself! 3D structures formed just from CKAs can even keep up with a vinylic cross-linker! pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/... Now out in @pubs.acs.org ACS Applied Polymer Materials!

Polyester Networks from Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization

Radical ring-opening polymerization (RROP) of cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs) constitutes a powerful route to accessing degradable polyesters with unique properties. These multifaceted materials are mainly known as linear polymers. Polymer networks based on RROP have been scarcely described in the literature, and existing studies have focused mainly on incorporating complementary proportions of degradable units through RROP. The current study fills this critical gap and reports the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of polymer networks solely derived from RROP of CKAs, providing key insights into the network formation as well as the underpinning structure–property-relationship. Specifically, 2-methylene-1,3,6-trioxocane (MTC) was utilized as the main CKA building block in conjunction with a CKA cross-linker as well as a vinyl ether-based cross-linker. The polymer network formation was performed in bulk and in solution to exploit the solvent’s mediating effect. Subsequent comprehensive analysis of the gels’ macroscopic properties revealed the formation of hydrophobic 3D networks with storage moduli ranging from 1.9 to 312 kPa in the dry state, depending on the kind and amount of the employed cross-linker and the presence of solvent. In addition, the degradation behavior of these materials under alkaline conditions was examined, evidencing their susceptibility to rapid hydrolysis. These readily degradable hydrolyzable networks from RROP with tailored mechanical strength might hold promise in different fields of application ranging from 3D cell culture to polymeric scaffolds in tissue engineering.

pubs.acs.org

IPF was part of the "Dresden is(s)t bunt" on Monday. Including experiments for kids and showing that Dresden can be open to foreigners and celebrate an international culture. I have to admit though that the predominant skin colour on this picture speaks volumes about the issues in the city.

Bild

Mountaineering is my passion. Guiding my parents (75, 71) onto our maybe last shared 4000m-peak (Vincentpyramide, 4217m), was an absolute privilege and honour. No cable car was used up or down and a good friend joined as well. Really proud of and happy for them!

Bild

📢 Program drop! The full schedule for the European Polymer Congress 2025 is online at www.epf2025.org Huge gratitude to every speaker & the 1200 + attendee powering #EPF2025 and our theme “Polymers for a Sustainable Future.” Groningen welcomes you 22–27 June—see you in ~3 weeks! 🌱🔬

EPF 2025 | European Polymer Congress 2025, The Netherlands

EPF 2025. Please join us in Groningen, The Netherlands for the European Polymer Congress 2025!

epf2025.org