Structure and Dynamics of Macromolecules

FCS of a polymer Film

Rapid advances in synthetic chemistry over the past decades have enabled the preparation of a wide variety of macromolecules with precisely controlled topology and functionality. Our research focuses on understanding how molecular architecture, composition, and processing determine the structure, dynamics, and physical properties of macromolecular materials. Using experimental approaches such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, scattering techniques, microscopy, rheology and dielectric spectroscopy, we probe molecular mobility, self-assembly, and phase behavior in polymer networks, thin films, nanostructured materials, and confined systems. These studies provide fundamental insight into soft-matter physics and support the rational design of advanced functional materials.

Specific research topics include:

Mobility in polymer networks:  Kaloian Koynov, Hans-Jürgen Butt

  1. Zhou, X.; Wang, Y.; Li, X.; Sudersan, P.; Amann-Winkel, K.; Koynov, K.; Nagata, Y.; Berger, R.; Butt, H.-J. Thickness of Nanoscale Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Layers Determines the Motion of Sliding Water Drops. Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2311470 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311470
  2. Gresham, I. J.; Lilley, S. G.; Nelson, A. R. J.; Koynov, K.; Neto, P. C. Nanostructure Explains the Behavior of Slippery Covalently Attached Liquid Surfaces. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2023, 62, e202308008 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202308008
  3. Bremm Madalosso, H.; Cao, S.; Ivanov, T.; De Souza Melchiors, M.; Koynov, K.; Guindani, C.; Hermes de Araújo, P. H.; Sayer, C.; Landfester, K.; Caire da Silva, L. Peptide‐Induced Division of Polymersomes for Biomimetic Compartmentalization. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2024, 63, e202413089 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202413089

Imbibition and crystalliztion of soft matter in confinement:  George Floudas

  1. Dong, Y., M. Steinhart, H.-J. Butt & G. Floudas: Conductivity of ionic liquids in the bulk and during infiltration in nanopores. J. Phys. Chem. B 2023, 127, 6958-6968, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01216M
  2. Moschos, V., M. Steinhart, H.-J. Butt & G. Floudas: Effect of hard confinement on the phase state and dynamics of 1-propanol/water mixtures. J. Chem. Phys. 2025, 162, 244507, DOI: 10.1063/5.0268637

Macromolecular complexes,  drug nanocarriers:  Kaloian Koynov, Hans-Jürgen Butt

  1. Review: Sascha Schmitt, Lutz Nuhn, Matthias Barz, Hans-Juergen Butt, Kaloian Koynov: Shining Light on Polymeric Drug Nanocarriers with Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2022, 43, 2100892 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100892
  2. Review: van den Hoven, L.; Goddaer, S.; Mirzahossein, E.; Vermonden, T.; Koynov, K.; Remaut, K.; van Ravensteijn, B. G.P. Unravelling drug delivery using in vitro Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS). Journal of Controlled Release, 2025, 388, 114311DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.114311
  3. Lantzberg, B.; Zeyn, Y.; Forster, R.; Lin, J.; Schauenburg, D.; Hieber, C.; Nuhn, L.; Zhou, T.; Silva, M. J.S.A.; Koynov, K.; Jiang, H.-L.; Kuan, S. L.; Bros, M.; Opatz, T.; Weil, T. Glycogen-inspired trimannosylated serum albumin nanocarriers for targeted delivery of toll-like receptor 7/8 agonists to immune cells and liver. Journal of Controlled Release, 2025, 382, 113705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113705
  4. Deuker, M.; Schulz, D.; Koynov, K.; Morsbach, S.; Frey, H.; Landfester, K. Antigenicity: Statistical PEG Isomers Reduce Antibody Binding. Advanced Science, 2025, e21061 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202521061
  5. Fuchs, A.; Czysch, C.; Maxeiner, K.; Winterwerber, P.; Schmitt, S.; Stickdorn, J.; Zhong, Z.; Medina‐Montano, C.; Räder, H. J.; Bros, M.; De Geest, B. G.; Koynov, K.; Grabbe, S.; Nuhn, L. Introducing Degradable Cationic Nanogels Carrying TLR9 Stimulating Oligonucleotides. Small, 2025, 21, 2406082 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202406082
  6. Jung, C.; Fichter, M.; Oberländer, J.; Schunke, J.; Bolduan, V.; Schneider, P.; Kang, J.; Koynov, K.; Mailänder, V.; Landfester, K. Nanobodies Outperform Antibodies - Rapid Functionalization with Equal In Vivo Targeting Properties. Advanced Materials, 2024, 36, 2412563 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202412563

Photo-responsive polymer materials: Si Wu

  1. Liu, J., Y. Huang, Y. Liu, D. Zhang, K. Koynov, H.-J. Butt & Si Wu: Reconfiguring hydrogel assemblies using a photocontrolled metallopolymer adhesive for multiple customized functions. Nature Chemistry 2024, 126, 1024–1033, DOI: 10.1038/s41557-024-01476-2
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