Kinetics of formation of hyperbranched polymers

Kinetic aspects of formation of hyperbranched polymers by three-dimensional polymerisation, polycondensation, cyclotrimerisation, self-condensing vinyl polymerisation and proton transfer ionic polymerisation are considered. The last two mechanisms bear some features of polycondensation. The kinetic features of the polymerisation processes and their effect on the topological structure of hyperbranched polymers are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the dependence of critical conversion (gel point) on the kinetic conditions. Taking into account this dependence, the methods for shifting the gel point to higher degrees of conversion are analysed. Possible approaches to characterisation of the topological structures of hyperbranched polymers are discussed.