A versatile strategy for synthesis of hyperbranched polymers with commercially available methacrylate inimer

Abstract

Self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) provides an efficient approach for synthesis of hyperbranched polymers. However, most of the inimers employed for SCVP need to be synthesized before use. Here, we report a facile strategy to synthesize hyperbranched polymers under mild conditions by using a commercially available hydroxyl-substituted methacrylate as the inimer. The hyperbranched structures of the resulting polymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry and size-exclusion chromatography equipped with online light scattering and viscosity detectors. The synthesis can be performed under mild reaction conditions. Particularly, this approach can be applied to not only the SCVP of vinyl monomers but also the self-condensing ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters for preparation of hyperbranched polyesters. The present study provides a facile strategy to synthesize hyperbranched polymers.

Rheological and thermal degradation properties of hyperbranched polyisoprene prepared by anionic polymerization

“…The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data presented in table 2 show that the linear samples (LPI-01 and LPI-02) exhibited higher values of T g (−15.6°C) than the branched polymers, (HBPI-01, −19.5) and (HBPI-02, −23.3°C), due to the higher chain mobility of the branched polymers over the linear polymer [60]. A similar result was reported in the literature [61]. Also, HBPI-02 exhibited a lower T g value due to the presence of soft segments which offers more mobility to the polymer chains due to high branching density [62].…”

Preparation and Properties of Branched Polystyrene through Radical Suspension Polymerization

“…Figure 6 shows the DSC curves of the polymers prepared with and without MHM at different concentrations. Similar to the results in the literature [42], linear polystyrene (LPS-1) showed the highest glass transition temperature ( T g = 106.6 °C) compared to all three branched polystyrenes (BPS-7, BPS-9, and BPS-10) prepared here, because branched polymers had more chain ends and their polymer segments were more mobile [43]. Additionally, the MHM used in this study is a soft monomer compared to styrene.…”

Light and Temperature as Dual Stimuli Lead to Self-Assembly of Hyperbranched Azobenzene-Terminated Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

“…Hyperbranched polymers were previously prepared through controlled/“living” radical polymerization in the presence of branching agents [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ] and hence it was hypothesized that the hyperbranched poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) could also be synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of PNIPAM and N , N ′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBA) [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Therefore, the ATRP of NIPAM using different azobenzene-functional initiators was carried out using Scheme 1 under the condition of isopropyl alcohol:water = 2:1 (m/m), T = 25 °C, and [NIPAM] 0 :[MBA] 0 :[initiator] 0 :[CuCl] 0 :[Me 6 TREN] 0 = 30:0.9:1:1:3.…”