Branched Polymers: Synthesis and Application

Abstract

Branched polymers have aroused great interest due to their less chain entanglement, high concentration of chain terminals, good solubility, and low viscosity in melts and solutions. In this Perspective, we highlight various synthesis strategies for branched polymers with different structures and discuss their applications in the field of solid polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries, coatings and membranes, surfactants, hydrogels, and so on. Here, we expect to arouse more synthesis approaches such as enzyme-catalyzed living radical polymerization and photoinitiated living radical polymerization and also to copolymerize monomers with different properties or to modify branched polymers in order to obtain functionalized branched polymers that can be produced under mild conditions.

Hydrophilic Poly(meth)acrylates by Controlled Radical Branching Polymerization: Hyperbranching and Fragmentation

“…Structurally controlled hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) exhibit distinctive physical properties, such as weaker entanglements, lower intrinsic viscosity, multiple modifiable end-groups, and the presence of cavities. , Consequently, HBPs emerge as the most promising alternatives to dendrimers, circumventing the tedious multistep synthesis. , However, achieving structural control in the synthesis of HBPs remains a practical challenge. Methods like step-growth polymerization through polycondensation of AB x monomers or A 2 +B x monomers, − or by self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP) using AB* inimer containing a double bond (A) and initiating group (B*) result in HBPs with limited control over molecular weight, dispersity, and degree of branching. ,− ,− While specific conditions such as gradual addition of more reactive monomer, in situ modulations of monomer reactivity through substitution, microemulsion polymerization, , or click polymerization, − have proven effective in achieving control, but they substantially restrict the range of monomers and polymerization conditions available …”

“…Structurally controlled hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) exhibit distinctive physical properties, such as weaker entanglements, lower intrinsic viscosity, multiple modifiable end-groups, and the presence of cavities. 33 , 34 Consequently, HBPs emerge as the most promising alternatives to dendrimers, circumventing the tedious multistep synthesis. 35 , 36 However, achieving structural control in the synthesis of HBPs remains a practical challenge.…”