STAR POLYMERS: AN OVERVIEW
This review article stretches an overview by describing the synthesis, properties and some applications of star-shaped polymers. The arms constituted of homo- or co-polymers of different polymers are also reviewed. Methods of synthesis of various types of star shaped polymers, including “arm firstâ€, “core first†and “coupling-onto†synthesis procedures, is given as an introduction along with some details. Then, the synthesis of star polymers (including miktoarm stars) with strictly defined as well as with varying number of arms and having cores formed from small and/or large molecules: branched, cross-linked, etc., is described. Interest in star-shaped and branched systems based on poly ethylene oxide and poly propionic acid and their importance and advantages in preparing star polymers with them is included in this article. And various applications are included in this article with brief information on the topic Star polymers.