Encapsulation Using Hyperbranched Polymers: From Research and Technologies to Emerging Applications

Abstract

Dendritic macromolecules, such as hyperbranched polymers are increasingly being studied in the context of encapsulation. The intensive research on encapsulation using hyperbranched polymers is motivated by factors such as a cost-effective polymer synthesis and a customizable property profile. Hence, in the past few years, hyperbranched polymers have been employed as carriers for several guest molecules such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, catalysts, and aromatic hydrocarbons. However, hyperbranched polymers compete not only with perfectly structured dendrimers but also with conventional carrier molecules in terms of price and performance criteria such as processability, loading capacity, delivery efficiency and/or reduction of toxic side effects. This article aims at reviewing the research and development (R&D) in the field of encapsulation using hyperbranched polymers. Based on a summary of the most relevant R&D results and encapsulation technologies in this area, progress and challenges are discussed and new emerging applications are described. The most prominent emerging applications include the encapsulation and/or controlled release of (i) unstable or sensitive components (such as those used in the field of personal care), (ii) pharmaceutical substances (using hyperbranched carrier polymers with a narrow molar mass distribution), and (iii) inorganic nanoparticles to design versatile nanoreactors for catalytic applications.

Critical evaluation of biodegradable polymers used in nanodrugs

“…79 They have gas-like viscosity and higher diffusivity than traditional solvents, and the density can be tuned by a change in pressure. However, use of this technique is limited due to the poor solubility of high molecular mass (10,000) polymers 20 and difficulty in dissolving strong polar substances in supercritical CO 2 .…”

“…Biodegradable polymers in nanodrugs 6,50,161 Poly(lactic acid) 6,50,51 Poly(caprolactone) 6 Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) 6,7,50,51 Poly(butylene succinate) 162 Poly(trimethylene carbonate) 50 Poly(p-dioxanone) 4 Poly(butylene terephthalate) 6,37,163 Poly(ester amide)s Hybrane ® S1200 43,79 Polyurethanes DegraPol Poly(ortho esters) II 6,7,48 Poly(ortho esters) III 6,7 Poly(ortho esters) Iv 6,7 Poly(alkyl cyanoacrylates)…”

Comparison of Loading Efficiency between Hyperbranched Polymers and Cross‐Linked Nanogels at Various Branching Densities

“…Nanostructured polymers that have branched topologies, large surface area, and empty interior volume are considered unimolecular containers for encapsulation, [1][2][3][4] protection, [ 5 ] and controlled release [ 6,7 ] of active "cargoes" [ 8 ] in applications of pharmaceuticals, [ 9,10 ] personal care [ 11 ] and catalysis. [ 12 ] So far, various types of unimolecular…”

Phase Diagrams for Systems Containing Hyperbranched Polymers

“…This property along with the solubilisation behaviour could improve the bioavailability of drugs [45][46][47]. Several recently published reviews informed about the functions and applications of dendrimers resulting from supramolecular and physical properties can be found in the literature [48][49][50][51].…”