Star Polymers: Applications in Drug Delivery

Running head: POLYMER RESEARCH 1
Star polymers
Name
Institution

POLYMER RESEARCH 2

POLYMER RESEARCH 3
Star polymers
Abstract
Polymer science is a multi-disciplinary part of science comprising of chemical, environmental
engineering, processing, and theoretical aspects. Polymer science provides the basis for the
creation, characterization and understanding their structures. It is continuously becoming
important in the average daily life of an individual. It has become of great significance in many
modern functional materials, gears, and various devices for use in the chemical industries. Star
polymers are examples of this polymer science that is increasingly becoming important in the
pharmaceutical plants for drug delivery.

POLYMER RESEARCH 4
Introduction
The recent development in polymer science has made advances in controlled
polymerization techniques and efficient of coupling chemistries that have facilitated the
production and synthesis of very complex polymers with controlled functionalities. Star polymer
is one of the recent development in polymer science (Wu, Wang, & Li, 2015). It is made by fusing
of several linear polymers into a central point with a more significant number of chain end
functionalities.
Star polymers generally exhibit excellent characteristics and properties making them a
unique category of technology significant nanomaterial. These unique properties make star
polymers be used for many applications in the real-life situation (Wu, Wang, & Li, 2015). This
report provides a comprehensive summary on the various application of star polymers, the
multiple stages of development and commercialization of the polymer as well as the distinctive
properties that make then best suited for this application altogether.
Results and Discussion
The polymer science associated with star polymer and the possible application or
applications being pursued. Star polymers are made up of several linear chains attached to a
central core. They are sub-classified into in terms of branches depending on the nature of the
various branches. When the branches are identical, it is referred to as symmetric stars and
asymmetric in the case where the branches are different. Moreover, when the branches are
chemically different, then they are termed as ‘miktoarm’ stars (Wu, Wang, & Li, 2015). Star
polymers have unique mechanical, rheological, as well as biomedical properties that make them
unique from other polymeric materials.