Model of hyperbranched polymers formed by monomers A2 and Bg with end-capping molecules

Hyperbranched polymers, HBPs, formed via a stepwise polymerization of A2, Bg type monomers with the addition of end-capping molecules, AR, were investigated by means of recursive and kinetic models. First, gelation curves were established based on the initial compositions of reactants at various functionalities, g, of monomers Bg. According to this guide, the hyperbranched polymers without gel fraction can be obtained. The molecular structures of HBPs, such as molecular weight and the degree of branching were calculated as related to conversion. It is shown that they can be controlled by the composition of reactants. With the addition of molecules AR, the gelation can be avoided at high conversion, and the distribution of molecular weights of polymers becomes narrower.