Dendrimer properties

This chapter describes the use of AFM as a methodology for characterizing dendritic macromolecules and their self-assembled films. Systematic AFM studies of the PAMAM dendrimers properties (e.g. their size, shape, rigidity, packing textures and molecular weight calculations) will be fully addressed in this chapter. 

Very little is known about these dendrimer properties, although it has been noted that ester-terminated PAMAM dendrimers form deep blue complexes with CuS04 solutions, and that NH2-terminated homologues produce deep purple solutions [2, 79]. The well-known coordination properties of the amide bond, which lead to the formation of metal-ion complexes [163], should make this a very rich area for further investigation. 

Ceroni, R, Bergamini, G, Marchioni, F., and Balzani, V. (2005) Luminescence as a tool to investigate dendrimer properties. Progress in Polymer Science, 30, 453. 

PROPERTIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST Unique dendrimer properties not found in traditional macromolecular architecture include (1) a distinct parabolic intrinsic viscosity curve with a maximum as a function of molecular weight (2) very... 

B. Klajnert, M. Bryszewska, Dendrimers properties and appUca-tions, Acta Biochim. Pol. 48 (2001) 199-208. 

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