Star-shaped polymer

<p>In <a href="/facts/Polymer_science/ulLpdDyQ">polymer science</a>, star-shaped polymers are the simplest class of <a href="/facts/Branching_(polymer_chemistry)/KYF9YA1j">branched polymers</a> with a general structure consisting of several (at least three) <a href="/facts/Polymer_backbone/9Q3so597">linear chains</a> connected to a central core. The core, or the center, of the polymer can be an <a href="/facts/Atom/FoQ4kGN5">atom</a>, <a href="/facts/Molecule/N9ljSfFq">molecule</a>, or <a href="/facts/Macromolecule/039ULSLg">macromolecule</a>; the chains, or "arms", consist of variable-length organic chains. Star-shaped polymers in which the arms are all equivalent in length and structure are considered <a href="/facts/Homogeneous/y84KQJxl">homogeneous</a>, and ones with variable lengths and structures are considered <a href="/facts/Heterogeneous/y84KQJxl">heterogeneous</a>.
</p><p>Star-shaped polymers' unique shape and associated properties, such as their compact structure, high arm density, efficient synthetic routes, and unique <a href="/facts/Rheology/KexaBNCS">rheological properties</a> make them promising tools for use in <a href="/facts/Drug_delivery/vDfboXeT">drug delivery</a>, other <a href="/facts/Biomedical_engineering/TNAa3sqa">biomedical applications</a>, <a href="/facts/Thermoplastic_elastomers/bBGfjapB">thermoplastics</a>, and <a href="/facts/Nanoelectronics/6wRdmMCB">nanoelectronics</a> among other applications.
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Star-shaped polymer open-in-new

Star-shaped polymer