Synthesis and applications of hyperbranched polymers

Thermoresponsive hyperbranched polyethylenimines with isobutyramide functional groups

“…[12][13][14][15] Dendrimers and their less-defined hyperbranched analogues are attracting tremendous interest at present due to their specific spheroid-like shape and multifunctionality, which are powerful motifs in the design of new molecular and supramolecular structures. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The procedures for the syntheses of structure-perfect dendrimers are usually multistep and time-consuming, which currently limits their practical use. For that reason their imperfect analogues, hyperbranched polymers, easily and economically prepared from AB m -type monomers in a one step process have gained increasing interest, especially in industrial applications.…”

“…For that reason their imperfect analogues, hyperbranched polymers, easily and economically prepared from AB m -type monomers in a one step process have gained increasing interest, especially in industrial applications. In many aspects, dendrimers can be replaced by hyperbranched polymers due to their similar properties, [18][19][20][21][22] such as low viscosity, high functionalities, and spheroid-like shape. However, dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers have also some distinct difference.…”

“…16,17 Unlike dendrimers, the degree of branchings of hyperbranched polymers are usually less than 100%, that is, hyperbranched polymers consist of terminal, linear and dendritic structures, leading the functional end-groups coming from the terminal and linear structure of hyperbranched polymers to locate not only in the periphery of the spheroid-like materials, but also in the inner parts. [18][19][20][21][22] The attachment of some specific functional groups to the periphery of the spheroid-like dendrimers can render them thermoresponsive in aqueous media. [12][13][14][15] Since dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers have obviously topological difference in the location of end-groups, it is uncertain whether hyperbranched polymers with the same functional groups as dendrimers are also thermoresponsive.…”

“…23 To date, many hyperbranched polymers with special property have been prepared. [18][19][20][21][22] However, hyperbranched polymers with LCST property were very scarce. Only very recently, was hyperbranched polymer with a thermoresponsive backbone prepared.…”

Hyperbranched aliphatic polyether polyols

“…In addition, it has been shown that hyperbranched polymers also possess some of the properties exhibited by dendrimers, such as low viscosity, good solubility, and multifunctionality. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Their high number of hydroxyl end groups offers various further functionalization opportunities. Their physical properties such as solubility in different solvents or glass transition temperature can be easily tailored by chemical modification of the functional end groups.…”