Issue 5, 2014

Hyperbranched polydendrons: a new controlled macromolecular architecture with self-assembly in water and organic solvents

Abstract

A new macromolecular architecture (hyperbranched polydendrons) is presented. Combining aspects of linear-dendritic hybrids, controlled radical polymerisation and branched vinyl polymerisation, the materials have very high molecular weight (Mw > 1 MDa) and surface functionality. Although dispersities are broad (Đ up to 25) the structures behave with remarkable uniformity upon manipulation of solvent environment. Comparisons of conventional linear-dendritic hybrids and hyperbranched polydendrons are presented, including aspects of their synthesis. Under solvent exchange in organic media, a reversible self-assembly to form monodispersed nanoparticles (PDI as low as 0.013) is observed. Self-assembly and encapsulation is also observed during aqueous nanoprecipitation of the hyperbranched materials, with nanoparticle size (diameters from 60–140 nm) controlled through modification of precipitation conditions and the generation of the ideally branched dendrons at one end of each primary chain. The aqueous nanoparticles are highly stable and offer considerable opportunities for tailored functionality and future advanced applications.

Graphical abstract: Hyperbranched polydendrons: a new controlled macromolecular architecture with self-assembly in water and organic solvents

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Edge Article
Submitted
02 Feb 2014
Accepted
05 Feb 2014
First published
06 Feb 2014
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2014,5, 1844-1853

Author version available

Hyperbranched polydendrons: a new controlled macromolecular architecture with self-assembly in water and organic solvents

F. L. Hatton, P. Chambon, T. O. McDonald, A. Owen and S. P. Rannard, Chem. Sci., 2014, 5, 1844 DOI: 10.1039/C4SC00360H

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements