Verónica Brunetti

Work Function Maps and Surface Topography Characterization of Nitroaromatic-Ended Dendron Films on Graphite

Surface topography and work function maps were simultaneously obtained for carbon surfaces modified by a dendritic molecule: 3,5-Bis (3,5-dinitrobenzoylamino) benzoic acid. The dendrons were spontaneously assembled onto highly ordered pyrolytic graphite samples, exhibiting an increase in the surface potential. This fact is consistent with the incorporation of an electron-acceptor functional group that remains electroactive on the surface.

Dendrimers and dendronized materials as nanocarriers

Molecular nanostructures with well-defined particle shape and size, such as dendrimers and dendritic structures, are of great importance in the development of novel therapeutic devices. The unique properties of dendritic macromolecules render them far more useful for biomedical applications than linear polymers. Thus, over the past three decades, sizeable contributions to the polymer-based nanocarriers have come from dendrimers that, along with their endocavities, provide a wide scope for structural modifications at the molecular level. New nanomaterials could be prepared using these structures as building blocks. Nanoparticle-cored dendrimers are also versatile carriers because of their colloidal stability, tunable membrane properties, and ability to encapsulate or integrate a broad range of drugs and molecules. These hybrid nanocomposites aim to combine the advantage of stimuli-responsive dendritic coating, in order to regulate drug-release behavior under different conditions, with improvements in the biocompatibility, and in vivo half-time circulation of the inorganic nanoparticles. This chapter describes the general characteristics of dendrimers and dendronized materials, synthetic methodologies, and their properties. The successful applications of dendrimers and novel dendritic structures as nanocarriers are discussed.

Chemistry of hybrid multifunctional and multibranched composites

Abstract Hybrid multifunctional materials are the critical link between present technologies and future applications and their synthesis and characterization thus constitute important steps toward the development of more complex structures in polymer and synthetic organic chemistry. Composites are attractive scaffolds for a variety of high-end applications, conforming a fascinating toolkit with huge potential for adaptation to operate efficiently in a wide variety of architectures, sizes, and features, ultimately having a major influence on the final properties and applications of the materials. Over the last three decades, research on hyperbranched polymers and surface functionalization has been accorded high priority in polymer technology because their inherent properties are quite different from those of conventional polymers. In this chapter, we highlight the synthetic approaches and hierarchical strategies used to manipulate the shape, architecture, and morphology of nanostructures assembled or covalently bonded to specific substrates such as inorganic and highly crossslinked organic polymers. Special attention is given to structure/property relationships deriving from the controlled design of multibranched and multifunctional materials, emphasizing the importance of dendritic effects on different hybrid structures.

More than Just Size: Challenges and Opportunities of Hybrid Dendritic Nanocarriers

BACKGROUND Dendrimers and hyperbranched polymers are emerging polymer architectures that attract increasing attention due to their unique topological structure and interesting physicochemical properties. Their enormous potential makes them particularly attractive to form new and fascinating nanometric drug delivery systems, solving several typical shortcomings encountered in nanomedicine. OBJECTIVE In this context, the recent developments of dendritic and hyperbranched based systems, together with their application as nanocarriers, have been comprehensively reviewed. CONCLUSION This review highlights how the structural complexity can be taken as an evolution parameter of these nanosystems, starting with hyperbranched polymers and evolving to more complex structures such as hybrid dendritic- inorganic nanoparticles and dendronized nano-objects hierarchically designed. Finally, future directions and perspectives in this promising field are briefly discussed.

Películas nanoestructurados de polímeros hiperramificados como plantillas para la formación de estructuras metálicas

Boltorn H30 molecule is the third generation of a commercial polyhydroxylated hyperbranched polymer with an almost globular shape of 3,3 nm average diameter, which has an endo-receptor cavity that can be used for ions or some other small molecules inclusion. In this work, we analyze the spontaneous adsorption of Boltorn H30 on carbon substrates with the aim of generating nanostructured surfaces with the ability to capture or retain copper cations (II) inside. Afterwards, the formed films were taken to an electrochemical cell to reduce the cation and generate metallic structures using the hyperbranched polymer as a template. The platforms developed with electrodeposited copper are useful for the electrocatalysis of hydrogen peroxide. Along this work, the studied surfaces were characterized by means of different spectroscopical, microscopical and electrochemical techniques.

Películas nanoestructuradas de polímeroshiperramificados como plantillas para laformación de estructuras metálicas

Boltorn H30 molecule is the third generation of a commercial polyhydroxylated hyperbranched polymer with an almost globular shape of 3,3 nm average diameter, which has an endo-receptor cavity that can be used for ions or some other small molecules inclusion. In this work, we analyze the spontaneous adsorption of Boltorn H30 on carbon substrates with the aim of generating nanostructured surfaces with the ability to capture or retain copper cations (II) inside. Afterwards, the formed films were taken to an electrochemical cell to reduce the cation and generate metallic structures using the hyperbranched polymer as a template. The platforms developed with electrodeposited copper are useful for the electrocatalysis of hydrogen peroxide. Along this work, the studied surfaces were characterized by means of different spectroscopical, microscopical and electrochemical techniques.