Synthesis and Applications of Hyperbranched Polyesters: A Review

Abstract

This Chapter aims to give survey of hyperbranched (HB) polymers in the literature, focusing on the synthesis and applications of hyperbranched polyesters. HB polymers are attractive because they have unique structure, and their end functional groups can be tailor-made to obtain different HB polymers, with specific physical and chemical properties. HB polymers can be obtained by the statistical polymerization of ABx type of monomers using condensation or addition procedures. Besides that, HB polymers can be synthesized by self-condensing vinyl polymerization, ring-opening multibranching polymerisations and also metal catalysed polymerization reactions. Applications of HB polymers are mostly based on their nature and the presence of the large number of end functional groups within a molecule. One of the major applications of HB polymers is their use in polymer blends or as additives in linear polymers. Besides that, HB polymers have been applied as tougheners forthermosets, as cross-linking or adhesive agents, compatibilizers, dispersers and rheology modifiers. Many authors reported HB polyesters, as a constituent of new materials in UV-curing applications, because they reduce viscosity and improve coating properties.