Open Positions

nor current openings. Please contact me if interested in doing a practical course or a thesis.

newest publications

Understanding the degradation and mechanical performance of hyperelastic polylactide copolymers through bulk and ultrathin film analysis correlation

by Hanin Alkhamis, Shivam Saretia, Susanne Schwanz, Rainhard Machatschek, Axel T. Neffe, and Katarzyna Polak-Kraśna

Polym. Degrad. Stability 2025, 235, 111267.

Materials that are only needed for a certain period of time in biomedical applications can be designed to be degradable. It is important to understand and predict the relationship between chemical structure, degradation rate and material properties over time, taking into account the influence of processing. In this study, we demonstrate these dependencies for a hyperelastic polymer containing lactide stereocomplexes as physical network points, where degradation studies were performed both in bulk and in thin films (Langmuir-Blodgett technique).

Processing of reactive acrylic thermoplastic resin at elevated temperatures for rapid composite and fiber metal laminate manufacturing

by Moritz Kruse, Maria Balk, Axel T. Neffe and Noomane Ben Khalifa

J. Thermoplastic Composite Materials 2025, 08927057251314411.

Thermoplastic resins are of interest for recyclable composites. We demonstrate the influence of relevant process paramters furing simultaneous reshaping and composite formation.

Recent Advances in the Field of Shape-Memory Polymer from Bio-Based Precursors: Review and Perspective

by Farah Hidayah Jamaludin, Nur Syahirra Nordin, Xinge Li, Jie-Wei Wong, Zhixian Lim, Lei Wang, Chunxin Ma, Qian Zhao, Tuck-Whye Wong, Axel T. Neffe und Tiefeng Li

Polymer Reviews 2025, 65, 199-249. doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2024.2427827

A review on shape-memory polymers from bio-based materials.

Multifunctional Roles of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a Reversible Shape-Memory Composite

by Mun-Oon Fong, Xiangping Chen, Jie-Wei Wong, Tow-Jie Lok, Siyang Li, Jia Tee Low, Nur Syahirra Nordin, Zhikun Miao, Qiannan Hu, Axel T. Neffe, Tuck-Whye Wong, Tiefeng Li, und Wei Yang

Adv. Funct. Mater. 2024, 2418409.

Wir show that iron oxide nanoparticles can fulfil multiple roles in a composite. First, they act as filler changing the mechanical properties compared to the pure polymer matrix. Second, they act as stimuli-responsive entity that allows indirect heating through near infrared light or when being placed in an alternating magnetic field, which can be used to trigger a shape-memory effect. Third, they act as transesterification catalyst that allows reforming a covalent polyester network.

Stereochemical Heterogeneity Analysis of Polylactides by Multidimensional Liquid Chromatography
by Paul S. Eselem BunguKarola Luetzow, Olaf Lettau, Matthias Schulz, Axel T. Neffe und Harald Pasch
Anal. Chem. 2024, 96, 4716−4725. 

We describe a technique to separate polylactides with only small differences in stereochemistry by chromatographic methods. In this way, information about the composition of polylactides are accessible, which e.g. can be used for quality control or to evaluate the influence of syntheses methods on the stereochemistry. 

The .pdf is open access.

Welcome, Naveen!

We are pleased to welcome Naveen Kumar Sella to our research group at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. Originally from India, Naveen completed his Master's in Chemistry at Central University of Pondicherry (PU), India, and his Bachelor's in Chemistry at Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), India. With a strong background in organic synthesis and catalysis, as well as a passion for research and academic excellence, we look forward to his contributions and collaborations in our lab.

Welcome, Sylvester!

Our new team member is Sylvester Onwuka, who recently started as Ph.D. student in our group

Sylvester has a Bachelors in Industrial Chemistry, obtained an M.Sc. from the University of Hull in 2023 and has a background in polymer synthesis and degradation. 

Support for the exploration of sustainable two component adhesives within the context of the innovation corridor Berlin - Berlin-Adlershof - Cottbus

Prof. Hans G. Börner's (HU Berlin) and Prof. Axel T. Neffe's (BTU) project on sustainable Lignin-based two component adhesives will get financial support. The prize was awarded by the vice presidents for research from HU Berlin and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Prof. C. Scheider and Prof. M. Hübner, to our project as one of four selected from proposals presented within the context of the Innovation Corridor Berlin - Berlin-Adlershof - Cottbus that especially fosters cooperations between HU Berlin and BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg.