Interfacial properties of amphiphilic dendritic polymers

Dendritic polymers are highly branched macromolecules characterized by a tree-like architecture, incorporating multiple branching levels. This new class of materials has a unique combination of features, including a compact globular topology with diameters ranging from 1 nm to over 100 nm, the presence of internal cavities, and a large number of functional groups at the periphery. The broad spectrum of applications being developed for these macromolecules in areas such as microencapsulation, drug delivery, light harvesting, molecular recognition, and catalysis is a result of these remarkable features. This chapter focuses on significant developments related to interfacial properties, namely, micellar properties and self-assembly of dendritic polymers having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains. Dendritic polymers can be divided into three main groups; dendrimers (well-controlled structures, including dendritic-linear hybrids), dendrigraft (semi-controlled structure) polymers; and hyperbranched (statistically branched) polymers. The chapter discusses the self-assembly of dendritic amphiphillic polymers in solution and at the air/water interface, with an emphasis on conformation changes involved in building the assemblies and the different morphologies observed.