8.4 Branched Polymers

A branched polymer can be visualized as a linear polymer with branches of the same basic structure as the main chain. A branched polymer structure is illustrated in Figure 8-1. Branched polymers are often soluble in the same solvents as the corresponding linear polymer. In fact，they resemble linear polymers in many of their properties. However，they can sometimes be distinguished from linear polymers by their lower tendency to crystallize or by their different solution viscosity or light-scattering behavior. Heavily branched polymers may swell in certain liquids without dissolving completely.

Figure 8-1 Branched Polymer