Project description:
At the Werner Siemens Research Center catalaix in the Pich group, we are offering a Master’s thesis for a highly motivated Master’s student (f/m/d). The project focuses on investigating the influence of different functional groups in the polymer backbone on mechanochemical depolymerizability.
The thesis will be co-supervised by two PhD students. In the first part, various functional groups will be introduced into polyesteramides via multicomponent polymerization. The second part will focus on the targeted degradation of these polymers through solid-state depolymerization in a ball mill and compare this with unintended mechanical degradation. The overall aim of the thesis is a fundamental investigation of the structure–property relationships and the mechanochemical degradation behaviour of the newly synthesized polymers.

Your profile:
• Completed Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry
• Enrollment in a Master’s program in Chemistry
• Sufficient number of credit points to start the Master’s thesis
• Experience in synthesis, including work under inert atmosphere
• Additional experience in polymer chemistry is an advantage; initial experience during studies is required
• Strong command of English (supervision can be conducted in either German or English)

Your tasks:
• Synthesis of polyesteramides using our developed multicomponent polymerization approaches
• Characterization of polymer properties by spectroscopic, thermal, and mechanical analyses
• Performing degradation experiments in ball mills
• Conducting targeted mechanochemical depolymerization in ball mills

What we offer:
• Supervision tailored to your needs by two PhD students
• A friendly and highly motivated working environment
• Access to modern, fully equipped laboratories and a wide range of analytical instruments
• Financial support for the Master’s thesis (student assistant contract by agreement)