Insights into Degradable Branched Step-growth Polymers using Transfer-dominated Branching Radical Telomerisation

聚合物降解可用于减少环境问题或实现各种先进技术的功能。例如，下一代药物递送机制通常需要响应于局部环境变化（例如肿瘤中的pH）的靶向降解。支化聚合物提供了新颖的材料性能和独特的产品优势;几种体系已经商业化，具有巨大的市场价值。用于支化聚合物生产的许多化学过程难以进行。通常，可以制造的材料类型和制造成本意味着材料对于一系列潜在应用是不可行的。在这项研究中，提出的科学计划将为未来研究和应用新的聚合物合成平台奠定知识基础。在这里使用的新合成中存在许多机会，其允许使用工业上已知但以前未以这种方式应用的技术来微调材料性质。通过提供证据表明存在一系列降解机会，预计这里的研究将刺激大量的额外研究和工业参与。支化聚合物用于各种商品应用，如造纸，涂料和密封剂，洗衣粉和水净化;然而，在更先进的技术中的使用受到其合成中可能获得的化学物质的限制。此外，支化聚合物的触发和环境降解难以在制造时控制和设计到结构中。这里介绍的工作直接解决了这些问题，旨在展示未来产品设计的相当大的灵活性。如果完全成功，该计划将为英国学术界和工业界创造世界领先的地位，并有可能通过专利技术为英国经济创造可观的价值，并为众多市场部门提供可持续材料。

Polymer degradation may be used to decrease environmental issues or to enable the function of various advanced technologies. For example, next generation drug delivery mechanisms often require a targeted degradation in response to local environmental changes (eg pH in a tumour). Branched polymers offer novel material behaviour and unique product benefits; several systems have been commercialised leading to significant market value. Many of the chemistries that are used for branched polymer production are difficult to perform. Often the type of material that can be made and the cost of manufacture mean that materials are not viable for a range of potential applications. Within this research, the programme of science that is proposed will establish a knowledge foundation for the future study and application of a new polymer synthesis platform. Numerous opportunities exist within the new synthesis used here that allows the fine tuning of materials properties using techniques already known to industry but not previously applied in this manner. By providing evidence that a range of degradation opportunities exist, it is expected that the research here will stimulate considerable additional studies and industrial engagement. Branched polymers are used in various commodity applications such a paper-manufacturing, coatings and sealants, laundry powders and water purification; however, uses in more advanced technologies is restricted by the chemistries that may be accessed in their synthesis. Additionally triggered and environmental degradation of branched polymers is difficult to control and design into the structures at the point of manufacture. The work presented here directly addresses these issues and aims to demonstrate the considerable flexibility available for future product design.If fully successful, the programme will generate a world-leading position for UK academia and industry with the potential to generate considerable value for the UK economy through patented technologies and provide sustainable materials for numerous market sectors.