| Hyperbranched polymers are synthesized by high temperature polymerization. The high temperature process makes possible a one-step procedure that produces novel materials such as hyperbranched polymers, which have very similar properties to dendrimers. These nonlinear polymers have been carefully reviewed for characterization techniques and application possibilities. Low viscosity and high functionality are some of the expected advantages of hyperbranched polymers.; The resins produced are characterized by several techniques used to investigate the molecular weight distribution, and thermal and rheological properties. Using Mixed Mode Polymerization, the hyperbranched synthesis routes have been developed and compared with those produced by the patent process utilizing divinyl benzene (DVB). Samples were also subjected to solvent/non-solvent fractionation, because of the significant amounts of oligomer present. The effect of these oligomers and linear fractions on the properties of the hyperbranched polymers was also studied.; Using the theory based on the dilute solution properties of branched polymers, triple detector GPC signals were analyzed. The molecular weight distributions of branched polymers were simulated using the triple detector GPC.; In addition, the thermal and rheological properties of hyperbranched polymers are measured and compared with the modeling results using the unifying approach, which is based on the free volume theory. This modeling is able to predict physical properties of linear as well as non-linear polymers. Even though this is a semi-empirical approach, the equations are fairly simple and show good agreement with the experimental data. |
