Comparison of hyperbranched and dendritic polymers with fluorescent reporter molecules

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Hyperbranched polymers containing a core region are a relatively new class of polymers with many similarities to dendrimers, including their proposed applications. This research is centered around the comparison of the corebased hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine) to the dendritic poly(propyleneimine). Studies were carried out using two solvatochromic fluorescentreporter molecules. Absorbance and fluorescence measurements (emission and anisotropy) were utilized to determine the association types and locations of the dye molecules. Theability of the polymers to encapsulate multiple guest molecules was determined and theuse of both dyes in tandem determined the ability of the polymers to selectively entarp a guest molecule in the presence of interfering agents. In addition to determining the selectivity of the polymers, by varying the guest molecules used, the fundamental nature of the host-guest association of the polymers can be better understood, which is critical to maximizing their potential impact.