Bio-based hyperbranched polymers were used as precursors for the design of self-healing and recyclable pressure sensitive adhesive materials.

Abstract Sustainable and self-powered wearable electronics powered by triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have the potential to replace conventional battery-powered devices. In this study, we report a novel approach to enhance the charge density and power output of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based TENGs by incorporating lab-scale synthesized silane-core hyperbranched polyester of 1st generation (Si-HBP-G1; 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% relative to PVDF content) using electrospinning to form hybrid composite mats. Unlike traditional inorganic fillers, Si-HBP-G1 with a tribonegative silane core and hydroxyl end group ensures uniform dispersion and strong interfacial interaction with PVDF. The electrospun PVDF/Si-HBP-G1 (PG1) composite mats served as the tribonegative layer and an aluminum electrode served as the tribopositive layer in the fabricated TENG device. The optimized PVDF/Si-HBP-G1-15 wt% (PG1-15)-based TENG exhibited voltage output of 76 V, current of 2.1 µA, charge density of 8.3 µC m − 2 and peak power density of 0.035 W m − 2 . PG1-15-based TENG also demonstrated its ability to power 40 LEDs and a stopwatch. The device also produced voltage outputs in response to mechanical stimuli, such as tapping and bending, demonstrating its applicability for integration into advanced sensing systems for real-world applications.

Topology-controlled hyperbranched polyesters enable balanced soy adhesive strengthening and toughening

Preparation of a new low-cost adsorbent based on peanut shell cellulose (PNS) and its adsorption performance for Pb(II) ions.

ABSTRACTGlass fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites were prepared by hand lay‐up using unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrices in which a hyperbranched polyester (HBP) synthesized via a polyethylene glycol (PEG) core route was incorporated. Glass fibers (GFs) were functionalized to create “rigid” (HEA/TDI‐modified, m‐GF) and “flexible” (KH570‐modified, KH570‐GF) interfaces. HBP‐modified UPR composites exhibited enhanced tensile, flexural, and impact strengths by 62.2%, 17.5%, and 95.0%, respectively, versus unmodified counterparts. Introducing the rigid m‐GF interface further amplified these improvements, achieving strength gains of 96.1% (tensile), 90.9% (flexural), and 80.4% (impact). The flexible KH570‐GF interface yielded the most pronounced synergistic effect: the optimum system (KH570‐GF + 5 wt% HBP) achieved a tensile strength of 336.8 MPa (a 113% increase), a flexural strength of 622.1 MPa (93.6% increase), and an impact strength of 142.2 kJ m−2 (187% increase) relative to the baseline GF/UPR composite. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirmed increased glass transition temperatures, indicating enhanced thermal stability from improved crosslinking. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated reduced fiber‐matrix debonding and suppressed crack propagation in the modified systems. The rigid interface primarily enhanced load transfer efficiency, whereas the flexible interface promoted energy absorption via interfacial slippage. These findings illustrate that independent tailoring of rigid or flexible interfaces provides distinct pathways for performance optimization, effectively overcoming the traditional strength–toughness trade‐off in GFRPs and offering customizable solutions for aerospace and structural applications.

Abstract In this paper, the effect of four novel hyperbranched polyester polymers on the mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene (virgin polypropylene VPP and recycled polypropylene rPP) has been investigated. All the polymeric blends were prepared using a twin-screw extruder with different weight percentages of HBP (5, 10, and 20 wt.%). The mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, elastic modulus, elongation at break, impact strength, and hardness, were studied. In addition, the thermal properties, such as melting temperature Tm, crystallization temperature Tc, and the degree of crystallinity Xc, were also investigated. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Melt flow rate (MFR) were investigated. Tensile results showed that the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break for both virgin polypropylene (VPP) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) decreased with the addition of the four hyperbranched polyester polymers (HBPs). While impact strength has improved for the polymeric blends with the increase of hyperbranched polyester content, it has also been found that the best impact strength occurs at 10% HBPs for all blends. While there is a slight improvement in the Shore D hardness with the HBPs added for the blends, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that the melting temperature (Tm) improved slightly for both VPP and rPP blends. While the crystallization temperature (Tc) increased for VPP blends and decreased for rPP blends, In addition, the degree of crystallinity Xc was decreased for both blends. SEM results indicate that there is no interaction and dispersion between PP and HBP due to the absence of any compatibilizer, while MFR results indicate that there is an improvement in material flowability and thus improved processability.

ABSTRACTIn view of the requirements for high‐performance epoxy resin (EP) enamelled wire insulating varnish in the rapidly developments of new energy vehicle drive motors, the problems of localised electric field concentration due to the unevenness electric field distribution has to be solved. In this paper, to enhance the corona resistance, insulation, and mechanical properties of EP insulating varnish, the function dielectric gradient structure consists of hyperbranched polyester (HBP) inner layer and silane coupling agent (KH‐550) modified graphene oxide (GO) nonlinear layer are proposed. The results show that the introduction of HBP not only adjusts the dielectric constant of the insulating varnish but also increases the breakdown field strength significantly, and with the increase of K‐GO, the nonlinear conductivity of K‐GO/EP insulating varnish becomes more prominent. Simulation results show that the highest field strength of the structural insulating varnish with different dielectric constant gradients is reduced to 16.7 kV/mm, and the field strength difference of the inner layer is reduced to 0.3 kV/mm, which further reduces the electric field aberration of the neighbouring interfaces as compared to the pure EP insulating varnish. This work provides a new strategy for constructing the dielectric gradient structure to meet the high corona resistance and insulating varnish requirements of high‐voltage motor enamelled wire insulating varnish in actual industrial production.

Renewable and green energy technologies, particularly the improvement of solar panel efficiency, have gained considerable attention in academic and industrial communities. However, long-term exposure to soiling can lead to substantial reduction in the energy generation capacity of photovoltaic systems. Here, hyperbranched polyurethane acrylate (PHBA) was synthesized using hydroxyl-terminated hyperbranched polyester as a core component. PHBA was subsequently blended with epoxy acrylate (EB600) and rapidly UV-cured to fabricate protective coatings for solar panels. The polymeric coating exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, including tensile strength of about 65.43 MPa, the elongation at break of about 3.73%, adhesion of 1 level, and pencil hardness of 6H. The hyperbranched topological structure can remarkably improve the mechanical properties and extend the service life of solar panels. Moreover, the uniform dispersion of siloxane coupling agent in the polymer matrix improved hydrophobic properties, which effectively reduced dust deposition and maintained voltage stability. The high-performance polymeric coating has shown great application potential in solar panel protective films.

Molecular design and luminescence of hyperbranched polyester polysuccinate doped with lanthanide (III) ions

The inherent hydrophobic nature of PVDF material renders it challenging to establish a stable aqueous hydration layer, thereby limiting its suitability as a substrate for the preparation of nanofiltration (NF) membranes. In this study, we developed a novel modification approach that effectively enhances the hydrophilicity of PVDF substrates through the incorporation of sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (SPANI) and hyperbranched polyester (HPE) into the PVDF casting solution, followed by cross-linking with trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The introduction of SPANI and HPE, which contain reactive polar amino and hydroxyl groups, improved the hydrophilicity of the substrate, while the subsequent cross-linking with TMC effectively anchored these components within the substrate through the covalent linking between TMC and the reactive sites. Additionally, the hydrolysis of TMC yielded non-reactive carboxyl groups, which further enhanced the hydrophilicity of the substrate. As a result, the modified PVDF substrate exhibited improved hydrophilicity, facilitating the construction of an intact polyamide layer. In addition, the fabricated TFC NF membrane demonstrated excellent performance in the advanced treatment of tap water, achieving a total dissolved solid removal rate of 57.9% and a total organic carbon removal rate of 85.3%. This work provides a facile and effective route to modify PVDF substrates for NF membrane fabrication.

This study explores the development and analysis of an eco-friendly one-step process for attaching iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to a type of hyperbranched polyester commercially known as the "Boltorn H40" polymer. The research focuses on the application of this technique for extracting trace amounts of chromium ions [Cr(III) and Cr(VI)] with concentrations of less than 1 ppm. The elimination of Cr(VI) is of significant concern due to its severe toxicity and detrimental environmental impact. A systematic evaluation was conducted to investigate the influence of operational parameters, including adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and initial chromium concentration, on removal efficiency using synthetic aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior of the innovative BH40@Fe3O4 MNPs nanocomposite was found to follow both the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. For trace-level concentrations, the material achieved removal efficiencies of 99% for Cr(VI) and 98% for Cr(III), with Cr(VI) exhibiting faster and more effective adsorption. A UV-vis spectroscopy procedure was developed to enable real-time oxidation state-specific monitoring of chromium ions in aqueous systems. This method allows for the direct detection and quantification of Cr(VI) even in the presence of Cr(III), making it suitable for analyzing binary systems. This new approach provides a practical way to distinguish between chromium species in water, providing more insight into competitive adsorption mechanisms. Durability tests showed that the nanocomposite retained over 90% of its initial adsorption capacity even after four regeneration cycles, confirming its excellent reusability. This study presents a highly efficient, durable, and scalable material for removing trace-level chromium species, offering strong potential for real-world environmental remediation applications.

ABSTRACT α‐Ethylidene‐δ‐vinyl‐δ‐valerolactone (EVL), a substituted δ‐lactone synthesized through the telomerization of CO2 with 1,3‐butadiene, is highly functionalized, containing a six‐membered ring and two CC double bonds. In this contribution, we report the copolymerization of 3‐(1‐(2‐hydroxy ethylthio) ethyl)‐6‐vinyl valerolactone (HEVL), an inimer derived from EVL, with ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) to yield a novel multifunctional hyperbranched copolyester, P(HEVL‐co‐CL). The structure of P(HEVL‐co‐CL)s was characterized by 1H, 13C, 13C‐1H HSQC, 1H‐1H COSY NMR, MALDI‐ToF MS, and SEC‐MALS. The simultaneously initiating and ring‐cleavage of HEVL facilitates the formation of a hyperbranched topology of the copolymers. The influences of monomer feed ratio, monomer concentration, reaction time, and temperature on the copolymerization, along with the composition and architecture of the copolymer, were investigated. The P(HEVL‐co‐CL) exhibits distinctive molecular characteristics, featuring an abundance of tailored functionalities, enabling the synthesis of polyester microspheres and polyurethane elastomers via thiol‐ene and hydroxyl‐isocyanate cross‐linking post‐polymerization modifications. This protocol significantly expands the potential for developing advanced sustainable materials from CO2 and olefin‐based feedstocks.

Abstract There is a strong societal demand for the development of effective and eco‐friendly UV blocking substances for sunscreen applications. In this work, three AB2‐type monomers with 0‐2 methoxy groups are synthesized using three corresponding lignin‐based monomeric aromatics and a potentially biobased hydandoin. The obtained AB2‐type monomers are conveniently polymerized via conventional bulk polycondensation to yield three UV‐active hyperbranched polyesters. The molecular and thermal characteristics of the obtained hyperbranched polyesters are characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The monomers with 0 and 2 methoxy groups and their corresponding polymers provide protection in the UV B region, while the monomer with 1 methoxy group and its corresponding polymer provide protection in both UV A and UV B regions. All the obtained polymers exhibited strong UV absorption with molar extinction coefficient (ε) of ≈15600 to 21000 L mol−1 cm−1. The obtained polymers can be conveniently blended into creams, which exhibited desirable photostability after 4 h of exposure to direct sun light. Finally, these hyperbranched polyesters showed negligible leakage into fresh or salt water during 76 h from their blended creams, which indicated their potentially low environmental impacts as new UV blockers for sunscreens.

Molecular architectures of glycosylated dendronized bottle brushes in action: Biocompatibility and anti-amyloidogenic activity of pseudo-glycodendrimers

Abstract In the field of environmentally friendly materials, improving the interfacial bonding between biomass fillers and polylactic acid (PLA) has been a popular area of study. This study examined the effects of four distinct molecular weight end‐hydroxy hyperbranched polyesters (HHBP) on the extrusion and injection molding processes used to create PLA/straw powder composites. According to tests of mechanical properties, the composites' tensile strength, elongation at break, and impact strength increased by up to 15.2%, 12.18%, and 41.94%, respectively. Thermogravimetric tests revealed that the composites' initial thermal decomposition temperature was raised by as much as 5°C. The differential scanning calorimetry results showed an increase in crystallinity of up to 6.27%. The composites' water absorption was enhanced by the addition of HHBP, but the water molecules' diffusion rate was slowed down. By adjusting the molecular weight of HHBP, this study shows that the corresponding properties of the composites can be improved.Highlights HHBP strengthened the PLA‐biomass filler interfacial bond. HHBP enhanced composites' toughness, thermal characteristics, and crystallinity. HHBP achieved a lower diffusion rate of water molecules in the composites.

Thiol-acrylate Michael addition reaction has been utilized as for the synthesis of hyperbranched polyesters with a sulfur atom located at the β-position of the ester carbonyl group, through the A2+B3 addition approach from a dithiol (A2) and tri-acrylate (B3) monomer. This reaction occurs at room temperature, it is 100% atom efficient and produces well-defined hyperbranched polymer (HP) with a degree of branching ≈0.52. Unreacted acrylate groups were utilized for highly efficient post-polymerization functionalization with different functional thiols, producing new HPs with amphiphilic character and different peripheral functional groups. Size exclusion chromatography studies with one representative polymer revealed Mark-Houwink coefficient (α) 0.38, indicating a compact structure, as expected for a typical HP. The presence of the β-thiopropionate ester group in the backbone makes these polymers degradable under mild acidic conditions. Studies with model compounds confirm the slow hydrolysis of the ester linkage by neighboring group participation by the sulfur atom. Glucose functionalized HP, derived by post-polymerization functionalization, produces micelle-like nanoparticles in water with hydrophobic guest encapsulation ability and exhibits sustained release under mild acidic conditions. Such glyco-polymer aggregates show excellent glyco-cluster effect with Concanavaline A (Ka ≈5 × 104m-1).

Theranostic nanoparticles integrate diagnostic and therapeutic potential, representing a promising approach in precision medicine. Accordingly, numerous inventions have been patented to protect novel formulations and methods. This review examines the evolution of patented theranostic nanoparticles, focusing on organic nanosystems, particularly polymeric and lipid nanoparticles, to assess their development, technological advances, and patentability. A scoping review approach was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and European Patent Office (EPO) database. The search included patents filed within the last ten years (2014–2024) that specifically claimed organic and/or hybrid theranostic nanoparticles. Data extraction focused on nanoparticle composition, synthesis methods, functionalization strategies, and theranostic applications. The search identified 130 patents, of which 13 met the inclusion criteria. These patents were primarily filed by inventors from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, and China. Polymeric nanoparticles were frequently engineered for targeted drug delivery and imaging, utilizing hyperbranched polyesters, sulfated polymers, or chitosan-based formulations. Lipid nanoparticles were often hybridized with inorganic nanomaterials or magnetic nanostructures to enhance their theranostic potential. While most patents detailed synthesis methods and physicochemical characterizations, only a few provided comprehensive preclinical validation, limiting their demonstrated efficacy. The analysis of recent patents highlights significant advances in the design and application of theranostic nanoparticles. However, a notable gap remains in validating these nanosystems for clinical translation. Future efforts should emphasize robust preclinical data, including in vitro and in vivo assessments, to enhance patent quality and applicability to substantiate the claimed theranostic capabilities.

Mechanistic kinetic Monte Carlo modeling of the synthesis of hyperbranched polyesters

ABSTRACTThe cohesion of solder mask (SM) and adhesion between SM and copper pads are essential, especially for SM‐defined solder pads. In this study, the effect of the addition and loading (3, 5, 10 wt%) of silane coupling agents (SCAs) on the tensile and adhesion properties of hyperbranched polyester polyol/silica (HBP‐OH/SiO2)‐filled epoxy composite were investigated. 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and 3‐Glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) were added at 3, 5, and 10 wt% concentrations into HBP‐OH/SiO2/epoxy composites. The SCA‐added epoxy composites were fabricated by integral blending method using the ultrasonication technique and were spin‐coated onto copper clad laminate as substrate before thermal curing. Characterizations such as tensile test, pneumatic adhesion tensile testing instrument test, peel test, hydrolytic stability, and chemical stability tests were performed. Results demonstrated that the APTES‐added epoxy composite displayed higher tensile and pull‐off strength, where 5 wt% APTES showed an increase of tensile strength, tensile strain at break, and modulus by 5.58 MPa, 0.235%, 0.98 GPa, and 43.4%, respectively, as compared to the untreated sample. APTES‐added epoxy composites showed more cohesive failure than GPTMS‐based epoxy composites. This was evidenced by their higher percentage of cohesive failures and stronger adhesion to copper surfaces. Besides, 3 and 5 wt% GPTMS‐ and all APTES‐added specimens exhibited strong adhesion of 4B and above in the peel test. No surface defect was observed apart from the untreated specimen and the 10 wt% GPTMS‐added specimen in the chemical stability tests. In short, the 5 wt% APTES‐based HBP‐OH/SiO2/epoxy composite demonstrated the best tensile and adhesion properties among all composites.

Abstract Herein, we prepared the high‐strength polyurethane acrylate (PUA) composites by introducing the γ‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ‐MPS)‐modified SiO2 (γ‐MPS‐SiO2) and hyperbranched unsaturated polyester (U102) into PUA utilizing digital light processing 3D printing technology. Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR, and gel permeation chromatography provided evidence for the preparation of PUA and γ‐MPS‐SiO2. And U102 could improve the dispersion of γ‐MPS‐SiO2 particles in PUA, which is conducive to improving the tensile strength, bending strength, and thermal stability of PUA composites. Compared with γ‐MPS‐SiO2/PUA, γ‐MPS‐SiO2/U102/PUA composites with tensile strength of 32.73 MPa and bending strength of 62.48 MPa can be obtained when the content of U102 is 10 wt%. The thermal stability and mechanical properties of PUA composites increased with the increase of γ‐MPS‐SiO2 content. When the content of γ‐MPS‐SiO2 particles is 20 wt%, T5%, T50%, and the residue at 650°C are increased by 36.81%, 2.31%, and 122.17%, respectively. The tensile and bending strengths were increased by 103.67% and 125.92%, respectively. This work provides a new way to improve the dispersibility of inorganic nanoparticles in polymers and the mechanical properties of photocurable 3D printing resin products.Highlights A high‐performance photocurable polyurethane acrylate has been synthesized. The hyperbranched unsaturated polyester has an excellent dispersing effect on SiO2. The mechanical properties of polyurethane acrylate composites were synergistically improved by the hyperbranched unsaturated polymer and SiO2 particles.