Star Polymers: An Overview

This review article describes 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 first” and “core first” 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) (PEO) is mainly motivated by their potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical areas. The properties and applications of PEO stars are also reported, such as drug carriers, surface modifiers, hydrogels, components of membranes, and also have some biomedical applications. Their potential applications as components of different types of complexes, hydrogels, networks, and ultrathin coatings are indicated.