hyperbranched polymers has drawn considerable attention in the chemistry
physics
materials
biology
and biomedicine fields for their unique properties not shared with conventional linear polymers
which can be attributed to their highly branched structures. Hyperbranched Polyimide (HBPI) is a new type of polymers based on hyperbranched macromolecules and polyimides
which has the specific three-dimensional molecular structure
highly branched molecular chains and many end-group functional groups on the surface of the molecular. Owing to these unique structural characters
excellent physical and chemical properties
and variety in synthesis and modification
HBPI has gave rise to their potential application in many fields. The application development of HBPI from 1999 when HBPI was first prepared until now in gas permeation membranes
proton exchange membranes
photosensitive and optical waveguide materials
fluorescence
dielectric materials
and composites is reviewed in this paper. The application mechanism in every field mentioned above is summarized
and the forecast to the future developments of the application of HBPI is also discussed.