Mario Gauthier

Professor

Mario Gauthier's research is focused on the investigation of a class of branched macromolecules called arborescent polymers.

His work includes the development of applications in a broad range of areas including microencapsulation, viscosity control additives, smart (pH-sensitive) gels, and catalyst supports.

Contact information
Office: C2 169
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 35205
Email: gauthier@uwaterloo.ca
Website: Mario Gauthier

Expertise

Anionic polymerization: arborescent and other graft polymers; telechelic polymers; block copolymers
“Living” free-radical polymerization reactions
Emulsion polymerization
Ion-containing polymers: ionomers; polyelectrolytes
Copolymerization and post-polymerization modification reactions
Polymer characterization: applications of laser light scattering techniques; size-exclusion chromatography
Rheological properties and mechanical testing
Solution properties

Research

Mario Gauthier's research efforts are currently focused on the synthesis and physical characterization of a new class of branched macromolecules, called arborescent polymers. The term arborescent (from the latin arbor = tree) refers to the tree-like or dendritic structure of the molecules. These compounds are obtained in successive reaction cycles of polymerization and grafting. The highly branched structure of arborescent polymers leads to very unusual properties in solution, in the solid state and in the molten state, making them interesting for many specialty applications.

Teaching

Mario Gauthier teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Course offerings have included topics in polymers and polymerization, and macromolecular science.

Highlighted Publications

Recent publications include

D. Kim, R. Amos, M. Gauthier, J. Duhamel. Applications of Pyrene Fluorescence to Characterization of Hydrophobically Modified Starch Nanoparticles. Langmuir 2018, 34(29), 8611-8621.
L. Huang, L. Xiao, A. Jung Poudel, J. Li, P. Zhou, M. Gauthier, H. Liu, Z. Wu, G. Yang. Porous Chitosan Microspheres as Microcarriers for 3D Cell Culture. Carbohydrate Polymers 2018, 202, 611-620.
T. Hall, G. Whitton, R. Casier, M. Gauthier, J. Duhamel. Arborescent Poly(L-glutamic acid)s as Standards to Study the Dense Interior of Polypeptide Mesoglobules by Pyrene Excimer Fluorescence. Macromolecules 2018, 51(20), 7914-7923.
V. D. Deepak, I. Mahmud, M. Gauthier. Synthesis of Carboxylated Derivatives of Poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) by Azide-alkyne "Click" Chemistry. Polym. J. (Tokyo) 2018, Ahead of Print. DOI: 10.1038/s41428-018-0130-y.
Vo Thu An Nguyen 1,2,3, Marie-Claire De Pauw-Gillet, Mario Gauthier, Olivier Sandre. Magnetic Polyion Complex Micelles for Cell Toxicity Induced by Radiofrequency Magnetic Field Hyperthermia. Nanomaterials 2018, 8, 1014; doi:10.3390/nano8121014.
J. J. Grandy, V. Singh, M. Lashgari, M. Gauthier, J. Pawliszyn. Development of a Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balanced Thin Film Solid Phase Microextraction Device for Balanced Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds. Anal. Chem. 2018, 90(23), 14072-14080.

Patents

Gauthier, M.; Li, J.; Parent, S. R.; Teertstra, S. J. Method for Synthesis of Graft Polymers. U.S. Patent No. 6,407,169 Applied December 13, 2000; Granted June 18, 2002 (10 pp)
Siegers, C.; Adkinson, D. K.; Davidson, G. J. E.; Ferrari, L.; Gauthier, M. Azide-functional Polymers and Azidation Processes for Producing Azide-functional Polymers. PCT Int. Appl. (2013), WO 2013091086 A1 20130627 (26 pp).
Siegers, C.; Adkinson, D. K.; Davidson, G. J. E.; Ferrari, L.; Gauthier, M. Process for Preparing Cured Azidated Elastomers. PCT Int. Appl. (2013), WO 2013091084 A1 20130627 (29 pp).