What are dendrimers and are they different from polymers?
Typically polymers have only two end groups, one at each end of the polymer chain. Branching can be introduced into the polymer along the polymer backbone, thereby increasing the number of end groups present. Branching can be important in terms of cross-linking and in the formation of three- dimensional networks or films. At high levels of branching, hyper branched or star-like polymers can be made. Dendrimers are similar to hyper-branched polymers. They possess repeating units in their structure that radiate from a central core. The synthetic scheme used in preparing dendrimer materials is extremely precise and well-controlled, with each successive layer being added to the molecule one step at a time.
