Miktoarm Star Polymers: Synthesis and Applications

Abstract

Polymers with precisely controlled structure and function are in high demand across a diverse array of applications spanning the life sciences and nanotechnology. One prototypical example is a class of branched block copolymers known as miktoarm stars (μstars), which contain two or more arm compositions connected at a common junction. Miktoarm stars have attracted considerable attention since their physical properties can be different from conventional linear block copolymers. This perspective highlights the latest developments and historical context in the field of miktoarm star polymers, including design strategies, synthetic techniques, and advanced characterization tools used to avoid common preparation pitfalls and tailor properties for emerging applications. Our contemporary perspective on μ-star polymers is a resource for inspiring future research into this exciting class of materials at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and advanced technology.

Synthesis of Supramolecular A8Bn Miktoarm Star Copolymers by Host‐Guest Complexation

“…Polymer chains with various properties and lengths can be installed on both the capsule and the guest unit by RAFT polymerization; therefore, considerable variations in miktoarm star copolymer structures become accessible, which paves the way to develop new polymer materials for drug encapsulation and delivery, novel nanostructured morphology, unique thermoplastic elastomers, self-healing, [27] and shape memory, [28] etc. [29]…”

“…The coordination‐driven self‐assembly of the polymer‐functionalized cavitand with the guest‐attached polymers presented here offers quick and easy access to the precisely controlled miktoarm star structures. Polymer chains with various properties and lengths can be installed on both the capsule and the guest unit by RAFT polymerization; therefore, considerable variations in miktoarm star copolymer structures become accessible, which paves the way to develop new polymer materials for drug encapsulation and delivery, novel nanostructured morphology, unique thermoplastic elastomers, self‐healing, [27] and shape memory, [28] etc [29] …”

Quo Vadis Carbanionic Polymerization?

“…One of the authors initially coined the term “miktoarm” for stars having arms with chemical asymmetry, which later included stars with molecular weight asymmetry and stars with similar chemical nature but different end-functional groups . Many reports and studies were followed, revealing the tremendous effect of miktoarm stars in polymer science. − The star structures synthesized by anionic polymerization guided scientists working with other types of polymerization techniques, such as controlled/living radical, ring-opening, catalytic, and ring-opening metathesis polymerizations. − …”

Modular Software for Generating and Modelling Diverse Polymer Databases

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] In order to optimize their aforementioned properties for this range of applications, the role of polymer constitution and topology has been widely explored, with a range of architectures including homopolymers, block copolymers, branched and ring polymers. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] As a result of contemporary research activities, the chemical and structural domains of synthetic polymers are continuously growing. [18][19][20] Polymeric materials have been the focus of a significant amount of scientific research for many decades.…”