Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process and uses and compositions thereof comprising: i) a residue of at least one monofunctional monomer comprising one polymerisable double bond per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; ii) a residue of at least one multifunctional monomer comprising at least two polymerisable double bonds per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; and wherein the end termini of the copolymer chains comprise one or more of a residue of a chain transfer agent; an initiator or a terminal group derived from a termination reaction; wherein; the molar ratio of the monofunctional monomer to multifunctional monomer is between 50:1 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched copolymer comprising a hydrophilic component obtainable by an addition polymerisation process and compositions and uses thereof said copolymer comprising: i) a residue of at least one monofunctional monomer comprising one polymerisable double bond per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; ii) a residue of at least one multifunctional monomer comprising at least two polymerisable double bonds per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; and wherein the end termini of the copolymer chains comprise one or more of a residue of a chain transfer agent; an initiator or a terminal group derived from a termination reaction; wherein; the molar ratio of the monofunctional monomer to multifunctional monomer is between 50:1 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amphiphilic branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, the method of production of same and uses thereof as emulsions wherein said polymer comprises: at least two chains which are covalently linked by a bridge other than at their ends; and wherein the at least two chains comprise at least one ethylenically monounsaturated monomer, and wherein the bridge comprises at least one ethylenically polyunsaturated monomer; and wherein the polymer comprises a residue of a chain transfer agent and optionally a residue of an initiator, and wherein at least one of the monounsaturated monomer(s) and polyunsaturated monomer(s) and chain transfer agent(s) is a hydrophilic residue; and at least one of one of the monounsaturated monomer(s) and polyunsaturated monomer(s) and chain transfer agent(s) is a hydrophobic residue, and wherein the mole ratio of polyunsaturated monomer(s) to monounsaturated monomer(s) is in a range of from 1:100 to 1:4, and wherein at leas

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process and uses and compositions thereof comprising a hydrophilic component, said polymer comprising: i) a residue of at least one monofunctional monomer comprising one polymerisable double bond per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; ii) a residue of at least one multifunctional monomer comprising at least two polymerisable double bonds per molecule and a molecular weight of less than 1000 Daltons; and wherein the end termini of the copolymer chains comprise one or more of a residue of a chain transfer agent; an initiator or a terminal group derived from a termination reaction; wherein; the molar ratio of the monofunctional monomer to multifunctional monomer is between 50:1 to 2.5:1 respectively; and wherein the hydrophilic component is comprised solely of at least 1 mole % of one or more monofunctional monomer which is/are comprised of hydrophilic monomer each with a solubility of 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic branched copolymers, methods for their preparation, emulsions comprising such copolymers and their use as emulsifiers. The polymers are responsive by nature, by forming non-covalent bonds between monomer residues upon applying external stimuli. In a preferred embodiment of the copolymer, the copolymer can be used to stabilise emulsions and the emulsion droplets can be reversibly aggregated and de-aggregated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched polymer obtainable an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, which is the reaction product of: (a) an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator, (b) optionally but preferably a compatible chain transfer agent (E and E?), (c) at least one ethylenically monounsaturated monomer (G and/or J), (d) at least one ethylenically polyunsaturated monomer (L), wherein at least one of (a)-(d) has a molecular weight of at least 1000 Daltons, and the mole ratio of (d) to (c) is greater than 0.0005 to 1.

Abstract: A branched, hybrid polymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, comprising organic chains and inorganic chains wherein: (a) said polymer comprises at least two organic chains which are covalently linked by a bridge other than at their ends, (b) at least one inorganic chain is present, either as a covalently-bonded pendant group on an organic chain or within the bridge, and (c) the polymer comprises a residue of optionally but preferably a chain transfer agent and a residue of an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator. The invention further provides a method for the synthesis of these polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amphiphilic branched copolymer obtainable by an addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical polymerisation process, which is the reaction product of: (a) an initiator, optionally but preferably a free-radical initiator, (b) optionally but preferably a compatible chain transfer agent (E and E?), (c) at least one ethylenically monounsaturated monomer (G and/or J), (d) at least one ethylenically polyunsaturated monomer (L), wherein at least one of E, E?, G, J and L is a hydrophilic residue; and at least one of E, E?, G, J and L is a hydrophobic residue, and the mole ratio of (d) to (c) is greater than 0.0005 to 1. The invention further relates to a branched copolymer particle comprising such an amphiphilic branched copolymer, methods for their preparation, compositions containing such copolymers and particles and their use as, for instance, encapsulating agents, nanoreactors, Pickering emulsifiers, controlled release agents and/or triggered release agents.