About
Julien Boixel is a CNRS Researcher Fellow at the Institute of Chemical Sciences of Rennes (UMR 6226), University of Rennes 1, France. His research focuses on the development of photochromic molecular materials for applications in molecular photonics, nonlinear optics (NLO), and luminescence.
Education:
- Accreditation to Supervise Research (HDR), University of Rennes / Institute of Chemical Sciences of Rennes – 2019
- PhD in Organic Chemistry, University of Nantes – 2009
- Master's Degree in Chemistry, University of Nantes – 2006
His research is centered on the molecular engineering of chromophores and organometallic complexes, particularly platinum-based systems incorporating dithienylethene (DTE) photochromic units. He investigates how photoisomerization can reversibly modulate optical properties such as second-order NLO response and luminescence. His work bridges synthetic chemistry, materials science, and theoretical modeling, leading to the development of switchable materials for advanced photonic applications.
His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in designing multifunctional molecular switches, including the creation of the first switchable NLO polymer films based on metal complexes and the discovery of sequential double NLO switching triggered by protonation and light. These studies combine experimental synthesis with DFT/TD-DFT calculations to understand electronic structures and excited states.
Scientific Awards and Funding:
- ANR JCJC PhotoControl (€183k, coordinator, 2019–2023)
- PRC Joint Research Program (21 k€, coordinator, 2019–2021)
- Doctoral Attractiveness Program (€21k, coordinator, 2018)
- Boost'ERC (€16.5k, 2018)
- Scientific Challenges (€10k, University of Rennes 1, 2018)
- Allocation d’Installation Scientifique (AIS, 20 k€, 2015)
- PHC Galilée and PICS collaborations with University of Milano
Julien Boixel has served as a postdoctoral researcher at ENS Cachan and the University of Geneva. He currently holds leadership roles as treasurer of the Société Chimique de France – Bretagne Pays de Loire and as a prevention officer at the Institute of Chemical Sciences of Rennes. He has not advised any students listed in the provided text, but his HDR accreditation qualifies him to supervise PhD candidates. His work is supported by national and regional grants, reflecting strong recognition of his research program.
Laboratory and Team: He conducts his research within the Institute of Chemical Sciences of Rennes (UMR 6226), a joint CNRS-University of Rennes 1 laboratory, where he leads projects on photoresponsive materials and collaborates on interdisciplinary initiatives involving polymer science and theoretical chemistry.
