Behavior of hyperbranched polymers in solutions

Hyperbranched polycarbosilanes are investigated by the methods of molecular hydrodynamics and optics. Dependences of the hydrodynamic and conformational properties of these polymers on their molecular mass, the length of linear chains between branching points, and the chemical structure of end groups are analyzed. The hydrodynamic behavior of hyperbranched polycarbosilanes is explained by the fact that the dimensions of their macromolecules are compact and their shape is close to spherical. The convolution of chains between branching points becomes more pronounced with an increase in their length and a decrease in the molecular mass of the polymer. When end fluorinated groups are incorporated into the hyperbranched polycarbosilane, in thermodynamically good solvents and θ solvents, hydrodynamic characteristics change apparently owing to a change in the density of macromolecules in solution. In a poor solvent, the compaction of fluorinated macromolecules and a reduction in their shape asymmetry are observed. At a fixed branching degree, the hydrodynamic properties of hyperbranched polymers depend on the structural regularity of their macromolecules: In terms of hydrodynamic properties, the hyperbranched polycarbosilane with a degree of branching of 1 and a random distribution of branching points within the volume of a macro-molecule is appreciably different from a dendrimer of the same chemical nature and is close to polycarbosilanes with a degree of branching of 0.5.     

Preparation of epoxy‐ended hyperbranched polymers with precisely controllable degree of branching by thiol‐ene Michael addition

Epoxy‐ended hyperbranched polymers (EHPs) have a wide range of applications due to their outstanding performances. Because their microstructures are not positively identified, it is very difficult to ascertain the reinforcing and toughening mechanisms of EHPs and their interface interaction with other matrixes. Controllable synthesis of EHPs with precise degree of branching (DB) remains to be a major challenge. Here, a method for preparing novel nitrogen‐phosphor skeleton epoxy‐ended hyperbranched polymers (NPEHP) with controllable DB by a thiol‐ene Michael addition between thiol‐ended hyperbranched polymers (NPHSH) and glycidyl methacrylate have been firstly reported. NPHSH is synthesized by an esterification between hydroxyl‐ended hyperbranched polymers (NPHOH) and 3‐mercaptopropionic acid. NPHOH is prepared by a thiol‐ene Michael addition between methacrylate group of a monomer and thiol group of linear monomer (AB) and/or branched monomer (AB₂). The molar ratio between the AB and AB₂ monomers controls the DB of the products. The ¹H NMR spectra analysis of NPHOH shows that their experimentally determined DBs are very close to their theoretical values, indicating good controllability of their DBs. The narrow molecular weight distributions of NPHOH, NPHSH, and NPEHP suggest high efficiency of the thiol‐ene Michael addition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44277.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of TAP‐6FDA hyperbranched polyimides with different branching degrees

A series of hyperbranched polyimides were successfully synthesized by condensation polymerization of A₂‐type dianhydride monomer 2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxylphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and B′B₂‐type triamine monomer 2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidine (TAP). Polymers with different branching degrees (DB) and terminated groups were obtained by changing the monomer addition order and the monomer molar ratio. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ¹H NMR were used to verify the structure of the prepared polyimides, which indicated that the amino group still existed in all the products. The DB of the polymers indicated by ¹H NMR increased from 30% to 79% with the molar ratio of TAP:6FDA decreasing from 1:1 to 1:2. The absolute molecular weights were measured by size‐exclusion chromatography with multi‐angle laser light‐scattering detection, which suggested that the highest molecular weight would be obtained when the molar ratio of amino groups:anhydride groups of the monomers was 3:3.2. With the DB increasing, the d‐spacing values indicated by wide angle X‐ray diffraction increased from 5.15 Å to 5.68 Å and the UV ? visible spectra of the polymers exhibited decreasing cut‐off wavelengths. The 5% weight loss temperature in nitrogen increased with decreasing content of TAP monomer, and the glass transition temperatures of the obtained polyimides decreased from 282 °C to 258 °C with increasing DB. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of hyperbranched polyester‐amides and their application as crosslinkers for polyurethane curing systems

A series of hyperbranched polyester‐amides (S1, S2, S3) with trimethylolpropane as a core molecule were synthesized using core‐dilution/slow monomer addition strategy. The products were characterized by FTIR, ¹³C NMR, GPC, TGA, hydroxyl value measurement, and viscosity measurement. The result showed that the hyperbranched polyester‐amides synthesized had narrow molecular weight distribution and high degree of branching (DB). The hyperbranched polyester‐amides synthesized were used as crosslinkers for polyurethane curing systems and the mechanical properties of the polyurethane curing systems were investigated. It was found that the best tensile property and tear strength were obtained when the S2 were used as crosslinkers and the molar ratio of  OH and  NCO was 1 : 1. It was also found that the polyurethane curing systems had the highest hardness and T_g when the S3 were used as crosslinkers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation and characterization of hyperbranched polyacrylate copolymers by self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP)

A series of hyperbranched polyacrylate copolymers have been synthesized by self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP) of 2‐(2‐bromopropionyloxy)‐ethyl acrylate (BPEA) and methyl acrylate (MA) in the presence of CuBr and bipyridine. The structures and properties of the polymers obtained are characterized by NMR and SEC/RALLS/DV/RI measurements. The effects of reaction conditions on molecular weight (MW), molecular weight distribution (MWD) and degree of branching (DB) are investigated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effect of degree of branching on the rheological and thermal properties of hyperbranched aliphatic polyethers

A series of hyperbranched aliphatic polyethers with different degree of branching (DB) and molecular weights have been studied with respect to their rheological and thermal properties. The DB was shown to affect the ability of the polymers to crystallize and thereby also the rheological properties of the polymers. A low DB resulted in semi-crystalline polymers with melting points between 100 and 130°C. The polymers with a higher DB were essentially amorphous and behaved as non-entangled Newtonian liquids in the molten state.     

Conformational and hydrodynamic parameters of hyperbranched pyridylphenylene polymers

Hydrodynamic and optical methods were applied to study conformational and physical properties of hyperbranched pyridylphenylene polymers in dilute solutions. The samples were synthesized using Diels–Alder polycyclocondensation. It was demonstrated that hydrodynamic properties of the studied macromolecules were typical for compact non‐percolated spheres. Optical and electro‐optical methods revealed information regarding the shape and asymmetry of the macromolecules (p ≈ 1.4). The contributions of optical shape effect to the observed flow birefringence of polypyridylphenylene solutions and intrinsic anisotropy of polarizability were evaluated and analysed. It was shown that varying the polymer composition (i.e. the degree of branching) caused considerable changes in the anisotropy of optical polarizability of the polymers. Dramatic difference of the electro‐optical properties in non‐polar (toluene) and polar (tetrachloroethane) solvents was found; this difference was related to the orientational correlation of polar solvent molecules with respect to the macromolecules. Dynamic properties were studied by non‐equilibrium electric birefringence which had a reasonable agreement with the dimensions estimated from hydrodynamic data. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile and efficient synthesis of hyperbranched polyesters based on renewable castor oil

Hyperbranched polyesters with thioether linkages were facilely prepared from methyl 10‐undecenoate, a castor oil‐derived renewable chemical. The monomer was obtained in excellent yield through thiol–ene click chemistry in the presence of catalytic amounts of photoinitiator under UV irradiation. Subsequent bulk polycondensation via a transesterification process catalyzed by Ti(OBu)₄, Sb₂O₃ or Zn(OAc)₂ gave hyperbranched polyesters with high molecular weights and unusual crystalline properties. The degree of branching in the range 0.45 ? 0.54 calculated from quantitative ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and low inherent viscosities of 0.16 ? 0.25 dL g^?1 strongly confirmed the hyperbranched structures of the resultant polymers. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and thermal stability of new cellulose‐based poly(propylene imine) and poly(amido amine) hyperbranched derivatives

New cellulose‐based hyperbranched derivatives having different degrees of branching were prepared via reaction of cellulose with acrylonitrile followed by reduction of nitrile groups and successive reaction with acrylonitrile or methylacrylate. First‐ (G = 1) and half‐ (G = 0.5) generation cellulose‐based hyperbranched poly(propylene imine) or poly(amido amine) derivatives have been prepared with high reaction yield. The structure of the prepared derivatives was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (¹³C NMR). Thermal stability of the different cellulose‐based hyperbranched derivatives were examined using thermogravimetric analysis to study the effect of branching on the thermal decomposition parameters. The onset degradation temperature and the activation energy of the thermal degradation decreased with increasing the branching of the cellulose‐based hyperbranched derivatives. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 2079–2087, 2006     

Preparation and Characterization of Hyperbranched Polyesteramides

An A-a-B-B′₂ type monomeric unit DH was prepared based on A₂ type monomer cis-hexahydrophthalic anhydride and BB′₂ type monomer bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine. Hyperbranched polyesteramides were synthesized by the polycondensation of DH and excess bis(2-hydroxypropyl)amine, and characterized by chemical titration, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The hyperbranched polyesteramides obtained had high molecular weights and polydispersities from 1.19 to 1.60, exhibiting narrow molecular weight distributions. The thermal behavior of hyperbranched polyesteramides was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The result showed that the hyperbranched polyesteramides synthesized had excellent thermal stability, and only 20% weight lose at 300 °C. The degree of branching (DB) in the hyperbranched polyesteramides was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the value of DB was 0.4914.     

Solution properties of hyperbranched polymers and synthetic application for amphiphilic star‐hyperbranched copolymers by grafting from hyperbranched macroinitiator

Hyperbranched polystyrenes (PS) were prepared by living radical photopolymerization of N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamoylmethylstyrene (DTCS) as an inimer under UV irradiation. Branched PS with an average chain length between branching points of four styrene units was also prepared by living radical copolymerization of DTCS with styrene. The ratio of radius of gyration to hydrodynamic radius R_G/R_H for these hyperbranched polymers was in the range 0.82–0.89 in toluene. The translational diffusion coefficient D(C) showed a constant value in the range of 0–14 × 10^?3 g ml^?1 in toluene. It was found from these dilute solution properties that hyperbranched PSs formed a unimolecular structure even in a good solvent because of their compact nature. These hyperbranched PSs exhibited large amounts of photofunctional carbamate (DC) groups on their outside surfaces. Subsequently, we derived amphiphilic star‐hyperbranched copolymers by grafting from hyperbranched macroinitiator with 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone. These star‐hyperbranched copolymers were soluble in water and methanol. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dendritic carbosilane‐based macrophotoinitiator: synthesis,characterization, and photoinitiating behavior

A novel radical dendritic macrophotoinitiator, bearing alkyl pheone moieties linked to the surface of the dendrimer, was synthesized via alcoholysis of carbosilane dendrimer and the small‐molecule photoinitiator 2‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1‐(4‐tert‐butyl)phenylpropane‐1‐one. The structure of the dendritic carbosilane‐based macrophotoinitiator (MPI) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, elemental analysis, size exclusion chromatography/multi‐angle laser light scattering, UV‐visible spectroscopy, and differential photocalorimetry (DPC). UV‐visible analysis indicates that the absorption band of photosensitive moieties shifts towards high wavelength by introducing the carbosilane dendrimer core. The DPC results demonstrate that the initiating efficiency of MPI is effective when using epoxy acrylate (EA) as a model resin. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis of cured EA resin indicates that the thermal stability can be improved markedly by the incorporation of MPI in the curing formulation. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)s obtained via an A2 + BB′2 approach

A fast and highly efficient approach for the synthesis of hyperbranched poly(aryl ether ketone)s (HPAEKs) via the polycondensation of A₂ and BB′₂ monomers is described. Commercially available hydroquinone (HQ, A₂ monomer) and easily synthesized 2,4′,6‐trifluorobenzophenone (TF, BB′₂ monomer) were thermally polycondensed to prepared fluoro‐ or phenolic‐terminated HPAEKs with K₂CO₃ and Na₂CO₃ as catalysts. During the reaction, the fluorine at the 4′‐position of TF reacts rapidly with the phenolic group of HQ, forming predominantly dimers and some other species. The dimer can be considered as a new AB′₂ monomer. Further reactions among molecules AB′₂ and AB′₂ with some other species result in the formation of HPAEKs. Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR spectra revealed the structures of the resultant polymers. The degree of branching (DB) of the fluoro‐terminated hyperbranched polymers was determined to be in the range 50–57% from ¹H NMR spectra, whereas the DB of the phenolic‐terminated hyperbranched polymers was determined to be 100%. These hyperbranched polymers exhibit excellent solubility in general organic solvents and possess moderate molecular weights with broad distributions determined using gel permeation chromatography. Moreover, the structure and performance of the HPAEKs can be conveniently regulated by adjusting the type and feed ratio of the two monomers. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Boltorn型超支化聚酯的合成与表征

以季戊四醇(PEL)、三羟甲基丙烷(TMP)和2,2-二羟甲基丙酸(DMPA)为原料,合成了3种端羟基超支化聚酯(HBPE),即分别是以PEL为核的HBPE、以TMP为核的HBPE和无核的HBPE。采用FTIR、13C NMR、GPC等方法对其结构进行了表征,3种HBPE的Fréchet支化度分别为41.86%,41.49%和39.77%,而Frey支化度分别为32.29%,31.37%和23.11%。研究了中心核分子对HBPE的溶解性、特性黏度的影响。结果表明,随着核分子官能度的增加,HBPE的溶解性变好,特性黏度增加,支化度(DB)增加,分子量多,分散系数(PD I)变小。     

核分子比例对超支化聚酯结构和涂膜性能的影响

以双季戊四醇为核,二羟甲基丙酸为单体合成了不同代数的超支化聚酯。采用了IR、GPC、13C NMR、DSC和化学滴定等方法对产物进行了表征和分析。试验结果表明聚合物具有较小的多分散性指数(拟两代超支化聚酯M—w/M—n=1.159,拟四代超支化聚酯M—w/M—n=1.028)。通过聚合物的13C NMR分析了超支化聚酯的支化度,表明在超支化聚酯中,端羟基的反应活性大于线性单元中羟基的活性。并用油酸对聚合物进行改性,研究了固含量与黏度的关系及其涂膜的性能;结果表明该树脂具有良好的成膜性和涂膜性能。     

Thermal and thermomechanical properties of hyperbranched polyurethane‐urea/cenosphere hybrids

Hyperbranched polyurethane (HBPU)‐urea/cenosphere hybrid coatings were synthesized by incorporating various concentrations of cenosphere into HB polyester matrix by ultrasonication technique, and this polyester was further used for the preparation of isocyanate terminated HBPU prepolymers by reacting with excess isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) in a NCO/OH ratio of 1.6 : 1. The desired hybrid coating is obtained by moisture curing the excess NCO present in the prepolymer through film casting. The structure of the hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) was conformed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and FTIR spectroscopy and the degree of branching (DB) was calculated using Frechet and Frey equations. These hybrid films were characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, SEM, DMTA, and TGA. The structure property correlation, intermolecular/intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the surface morphology, and viscoelastic properties were studied. These results showed an increase in T_g and thermal stability of the hybrid coatings than the base polymer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis and aggregation behavior of amphiphilic nanostructures composed of carbosilane dendrimer with peripheral poly(ethylene glycol) moieties

Dendritic amphiphiles as novel building blocks are very important for self‐assembling in the supramolecular chemistry area. In this work, a carbosilane dendrimer with hexamethylene as the branching unit (G1) was first synthesized as a hydrophobic core and then linked with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units as the periphery by a hydrosilylation reaction to prepare an amphiphilic dendrimer (G1‐PEG) with a yield of 27%. The aggregation behavior of G1‐PEG in water was studied with surface tension, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy methods. The surface tension data showed that the critical aggregation concentration of such dendrimers in water is approximately 0.75 g L^?1. The results of dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the aggregate size of G1‐PEG dendrimers in water is related to the concentration. Small micelles of about 10 nm were found at high concentration, large vesicles of about 100 nm were observed at low concentration, and a mixture of micelles and vesicles was found at middle concentrations. The encapsulation of G1‐PEG to a fluorescence probe verified the existence of a hydrophobic microenvironment in the aggregates at high concentrations of the amphiphilic dendrimer. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis of new amphiphilic water‐stable hyperbranched polycarbosilane polymers

New amphiphilic hyperbranched polymers possessing hydrophobic skeletons and hydrophilic terminal groups have been prepared and characterized. The synthetic strategy involved the formation of a new stable matrix with aromatic units within a carbosilane backbone, as well as the use of a classical polycarbosilane matrix. Both of them with allyl groups on the surface have narrow polydispersity values. Molecular weight and polydispersity of the hyperbranched polymers were obtained using gel permeation chromatography with multi‐angle light scattering, and determination of the average number of functional groups present on the surface was achieved using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The introduction of ionic groups was carried out via thiol–ene reactions with various thiol derivatives. The thermal properties of the polymers were also analysed using differential scanning calorimetry and zeta potential measurements. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of a thermotropic liquid crystalline hyperbranched polyester

BACKGROUND: Hyperbranched polymers have received increasing attention in the fields of medicine, homogeneous catalysis and materials science. Hydroxyl‐functional aliphatic polyesters are one of the most widely investigated families of hyperbranched polymers. The research reported here is based on the preparation of a novel hyperbranched polyester and the modification of its terminal hydroxyl groups by biphenyl mesogenic units. RESULTS: 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethylolcyclohexanol as a core and 8‐[4′‐propoxy(1,1‐biphenyl)yloxy]octanoic acid as a mesogenic unit were synthesized. A hyperbranched polyester (HPE) was synthesized in one step and subsequently substituted by reaction of its terminal hydroxyl groups with the biphenyl mesogenic units to yield a novel liquid crystalline hyperbranched polyester (HPE‐LC). The chemical structures of all compounds were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The thermal behavior and the mesogenic properties of the biphenyl mesogenic unit and HPE‐LC were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The results demonstrated that the degree of branching of the HPE is ca 0.63. Both HPE‐LC and the biphenyl mesogenic unit exhibit mesomorphic properties, but HPE‐LC has a lower isotropic transition temperature and a wider transition temperature range than the biphenyl mesogenic unit. CONCLUSION: A novel liquid crystalline hyperbranched polyester was successfully synthesized, which exhibits mesomorphic properties. This polymer has good solubility in highly polar solvents and good thermal stability. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hyperbranched polyacrylates prepared by self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization in the presence of a tetrafunctional initiator

Hyperbranched copolymers were synthesized by self‐condensing vinyl copolymerization (SCVCP) of 2‐[(2‐bromopropionyl)oxy]ethyl acrylate (BPEA) and methyl acrylate (MA) in the presence of a tetrafunctional initiator, 6,6‐bis[5‐(α‐bromoisobutyryloxy)‐2‐oxapentyl]‐4,8‐dioxaundecane‐yl‐1,11 dibromoisobutyrate (THABI). The structures of the polymers obtained were characterized by NMR and size exclusion chromatography/right‐angle laser‐light scattering/differential viscometry/differential refractometry. Molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and degree of branching were influenced by conversion and initial feed molar ratio of BPEA, MA and THABI. The addition of THABI can narrow the polydispersity of the hyperbranched copolymers obtained. The results are consistent with our previous simulation work. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry