Supramolecular materials

Supramolecular materials with outstanding properties

Unlike traditional molecular chemistry which transforms matter by creating new molecules through permanent bonds linking up atoms within existing molecules, supramolecular chemistry consists in building structures on a nanometric scale capable of forming more complex assemblies of molecules joined by reversible bonds: another way of designing matter.

Very tough road bitumen

Arkema has developed a supramolecular polymer of vegetable origin which imparts remarkable properties to the bitumen mix used for road surfacing and so offers many benefits compared to traditional polymers: ease of application, lowering of production and application temperatures and reduction in corresponding energy consumption, and recyclability.

Spotlight on Bitumen emulsion

Self-healing rubber

The elasticity of conventional rubber is the result of macromolecular structures made up of very long molecules held together by strong bonds. Supramolecular chemistry helps manufacture rubber from small molecules assembled into a network by weak bonds, these molecules being derived from fatty acids of vegetable origin extracted from pine, sunflower or rapeseed. This supramolecular rubber has the ability to self-repair spontaneously time and again, with no thermal or mechanical stress required, and every time recovers its elastic deformation ability.

Spotlight on Supramolecular chemistry