Maxime Gayrard

Maxime Gayrard, doctor in materials physics and chemistry from Sorbonne University (Sol-gel synthesis based on noble metals), obtained in December 2021. After an initial post-doctorate at the Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon on the development of sensors for the detection of pollutants and VOCs by sol gel process, he joined the LEDNA team at NIMBE in September 2024 to develop plasmonic sensors based on two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of gold nanoparticles.

Key words: sol gel process, nanoimprinting, thin films, porous materials, nano-structured materials, clean room

Publications: Google Scholar ; THESE 2021

Tél. : +33(0)1 69 21 12 41 
E-mail :

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES :

“2D self-assembly of gold nanoparticles at the liquid-liquid interface (water/oil) and at the water/air interface (Langmuir-Blodgett) for sensor application”

Supervisor: Sylvie Marguet

Two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of gold nanoparticles are promising systems for manufacturing SERS (Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering) sensors, chemiresistive gas sensors for detecting volatile organic compounds, particularly those present in breath and associated with pathologies, and deformation sensors. To improve the reproducibility, response times, sensitivity and selectivity of these sensors, we propose to use gold nanoparticles that are monodispersed in shape and size, with sharp edges to obtain a homogeneous, ultra-compact spatial distribution of these nanoparticles on different substrates.

  • 2022-2023 (1 year and 7months) : 1er post-doc : Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon (INL)

“Development of photonic sensors for the detection of pollutants and VOCs (SO2, NH3, NOx, Toluene) by soft chemistry”.

Supervisors: Lydie Ferrier, Céline Chevalier

The aim of the project was to develop an ultra-sensitive photonic sensor for pollutants and VOCs (NH3, SO2, NOx, Toluene) in the air. To produce this sensor, sensitive materials (SiO2, SnO2, Al-ZnO) had to be developed using the sol-gel process, and micro-nanostructured using the nano-printing technique. My research work involved identifying the sensitive materials, developing them using the sol-gel process, depositing them using spin coating, controlling their thickness, porosity and structuring.

  • 2018-2022 (3 years et 2 months) : Preparation for doctorate : Laboratoire de chimie de la matière condensée de Paris (LCMCP)/Sorbonne université

“Nanotexturation of noble metals layers by soft chemistry”

Supervisors: Marco Faustini, Laurence Rozes

The main objective of this work was to develop a sol-gel process for the formation of noble metals (Iridium, Ruthenium, and Rhodium) (and their oxides) at temperatures below 500°C. Our results showed that it was possible to obtain porous or non-porous metal layers using the sol-gel process and to develop direct approaches for structuring metals based on self-assembly or lithography techniques (Nanoimprint lithography (NIL), X-Ray lithography (DXRL)) on different substrates (silicon, glass, capton, PDMS). Their properties (corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, thermal and chemical stability, etc.) make them interesting materials for various applications (catalysis, electronics, photonics, photocatalysis, etc.).

EDUCATION :

  • 2018-2021 : PhD in physics et chemistry of materials (Sorbonne university)
  • 2016-2018 : Master’s degree in materials chemistry (Sorbonne university)

Research internships :

    • M2 internship (6 months) : Laboratoire de chimie de la matière condensée de Paris (LCMCP)-Sorbonne university.
      “Synthesis and electrochemical characterisation of materials with a hierarchical structure for water oxidation”. Supervisors : Marco Faustini, Cédric Boissière
    • M1 internship (4 months) : Laboratoire des sciences du climat et de l’environnement (LSCE)-CEA
      “Study of the seasonal variability of VOCs (Isoprene, Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, Trimethylbenzene) at SIRTA analysed by GC/MS”. Encadrant : Nicolas Bonnaire
  • 2013-2016 : Bachelor’s degree in chemistry (Sorbonne university)