A Collège de France - CNED coproduction
Abstract
A solid-state chemist, Jacques Livage was behind the development of soft chemistry in the field of materials. Inspired by biomineralization processes, this new synthesis method has led to the development of " sol-gel processes ", which enable glass and ceramics to be produced under near-ambient conditions. Unlike conventional solid-state chemistry techniques, which react powders by heating them to high temperatures, soft chemistry uses molecular precursors in solution. The solid network is formed progressively via polycondensation reactions analogous to those used to synthesize organic polymers. These " soft chemistry " conditions enable organic molecules and inorganic species to react simultaneously, leading to the formation of organo-mineral hybrids. These molecular-scale nanocomposites open the way to a whole range of new materials combining the properties of glasses with those of polymers. Jacques Livage now devotes most of his work to the application of sol-gel methods in the field of biology. Soft chemistry makes it possible to immobilize biological species (enzymes, antibodies, bacteria, viruses, micro-algae, etc.) within mineral matrices. Immobilized species retain their biological activity, enabling the creation of biosensors and bioreactors.
