Functionalized hyperbranched polyethylene powder supports

Polyethylene powders with useful loadings of functional groups are accessib le by hyperbranched grafting chemistry. Using a 200 mu m diameter high dens ity powder, loadings of up to 0.4 mmol/g of CO2H groups are attained. The c arboxylic acid groups in the resulting powders can be further functionalize d covalently or ionically and resulting powders have the physical durabilit y and solvent resistance associated with polyethylene itself.