Hyperbranched Polymers – Synthesis, Properties and Applications

A much-needed overview of the state of the art of hyperbranched polymers The last two decades have seen a surge of interest in hyperbranched polymers due to their ease of synthesis on a large scale and their promising applications in diverse fields, from medicine to nanotechnology. Written by leading scientists in academia and industry, this book provides for the first time a comprehensive overview of the topic, bringing together in one complete volume a wealth of information previously available only in articles scattered across the literature. Drawing on their work at the cutting edge of this dynamic area of research, the authors cover everything readers need to know about hyperbranched polymers when designing highly functional materials. Clear, thorough discussions include: How irregular branching affects polymer properties and their potential applications Important theoretical basics, plus a useful summary of characterization techniques How hyperbranched polymers compare with dendrimers as well as linear polymers Future trends in the synthesis and application of hyperbranched polymers Geared to novices and experts alike, Hyperbranched Polymers is a must-have resource for anyone working in polymer architectures, polymer engineering, and functional materials. It is also useful for scientists in related fields who need a primer on the synthesis, theory, and applications of hyperbranched polymers.

Table of Contents:
Preface xiii Contributors xv 1. Promising Dendritic Materials: An Introduction to Hyperbranched Polymers 1 1.1 Importance of Branching 1 1.2 Polymer Architecture 1 1.3 Dendritic Polymers 3 1.4 Hyperbranched Polymers 5 1.5 Conclusions 21 1.6 References 22 2. Polycondensation of AB x Monomers 27 2.1 Introduction 27 2.2 Statistical Consideration 27 2.3 Polymerization of AB x -Type Monomers 30 2.4 References 74 3. Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers via Polymerization of Functionally Symmetric Monomer Pairs 79 3.1 Introduction 79 3.2 Theoretical Treatment of A2 + B3 Polymerization 81 3.3 Polymerization of Symmetrical Monomer Pairs 84 3.4 Conclusions 104 3.5 References 105 4. Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers via Polymerization of Asymmetric Monomer Pairs 107 4.1 Introduction 107 4.2 General Description of Polymerization of Asymmetric Monomer Pairs 108 4.3 Hyperbranched Polymers Prepared by Polymerization of Asymmetric Monomer Pairs 110 4.4 Conclusions 133 4.5 References 136 5. Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization 139 5.1 Introduction 139 5.2 Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization 140 5.3 Self-Condensing Vinyl Copolymerization (SCVCP) 150 5.4 Self-Condensing Processes in Presence of Initiators 162 5.5 SCVP of Macroinimers 167 5.6 Surface-Grafted Hyperbranched Polymers 169 5.7 References 172 6. Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerization 175 6.1 Introduction 175 6.2 Classification of Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerizations 178 6.3 Core-Containing Hyperbranched Polymers By Ring-Opening Multibranching Polymerization 195 6.4 Conclusion and Perspectives 198 6.5 References 200 7. Hyperbranched Copolymers Synthesized by Cocondensation and Radical Copolymerization 203 7.1 Introduction 203 7.2 Cocondensation of AB n and a Comonomer 204 7.3 Cocondensation of A2 + B2 + BB2 (or B B2) 214 7.4 SCVCP Via Charge-Transfer Complex Inimer 215 7.5 Free Radical Copolymerization of Multifunctional Vinyl Monomers 218 7.6 Conclusion 221 7.7 References 223 8. Convergent Synthesis of Hyperbranched Polymers and Related Approaches 227 8.1 Introduction 227 8.2 Convergent Control in Hyperbranched Synthesis 228 8.3 Results 231 8.4 Conclusions 247 8.5 References 247 9. Hyperbranched and Dendritic Polyolefins Prepared by Transition Metal Catalyzed Polymerization 251 9.1 Introduction 251 9.2 Results and Discussion 253 9.3 Summary and Perspective 266 9.4 References 269 10. Hyperbranched pi -Conjugated Polymers 273 10.1 Introduction 273 10.2 Scope 274 10.3 Hyperbranched Poly(Arylene)s 274 10.4 Hyperbranched Poly(Arylenevinylenes) 282 10.5 Hyperbranched Poly(Aryleneethynylenes) 289 10.6 Conclusion 295 10.7 References 297 11. Degree of Branching (DB) 301 11.1 Definition of the Degree of Branching (DB) 301 11.2 Determination of DB 305 11.3 The Value Range of DB 308 A11.4 Appendix 311 11.5 References 314 12. Influence of Branching Architecture on Polymer Properties 317 12.1 Introduction 317 12.2 Influence of Branching Architecture on Polymer Properties 318 12.3 Conclusions 329 12.4 References 329 13. Kinetic Theory of Hyperbranched Polymerization 333 13.1 Introduction 333 13.2 AB2-Type Polycondensation 335 13.3 Copolycondensation of AB2- and AB-Type Monomers 351 13.4 Self-Condensing Vinyl Polymerization 354 13.5 References 366 14. Grafting and Surface Properties of Hyperbranched Polymers 369 14.1 Introduction 369 14.2 Surface Grafting 370 14.3 Surface Properties of Hyperbranched Polymers 380 14.4 Conclusions 382 14.5 References 383 15. Biological and Medical Applications of Hyperbranched Polymers 387 15.1 Introduction 387 15.2 Gene Delivery 388 15.3 Drug Delivery 397 15.4 Biomaterials 401 15.5 Biointeraction 407 15.6 Conclusions 410 15.7 References 411 16. Applications of Hyperbranched Polymers in Coatings, as Additives, and in Nanotechnology 415 16.1 Introduction 415 16.2 Hyperbranched Polymers in Coating and Resin Applications 416 16.3 Hyperbranched Polymers as Additives 423 16.4 Applications of Hyperbranched Polymers in Nanotechnology 426 16.5 Applications in Thin Films and Sensorics 431 16.6 References 434 17. Conclusions and Perspective: Toward Hyperbranched/Dendritic States 441 17.1 Achievements and Problems 441 17.2 Role of Hyperbranched Polymers in the Twenty-First Century 449 17.3 Hyperbranched/Dendritic State 451 17.4 References 452 Index 453