Progress in the Research on Branched Polymers with Emphasis on the Chinese Petrochemical Industry

Polymer flooding, one of the main methods for improving crude oil recovery using chemical flooding technology in China, is widely used for actual oil displacement. Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) is a commonly used linear polymer in polymer flooding, but it exhibits poor temperature and salt resistance due to its molecular structure. Therefore, branched polymers have been studied. This article provides a review of the specific synthetic methods and current practical applications in the petrochemical field of dendritic polymers and hyperbranched macromolecules. The advantages and disadvantages of each synthetic method for branched polymers are also elaborated. Finally, the application prospects of branched polymers are discussed. The feasibility of branched polymers in large quantities should be further verified through additional field tests, which should address concerns such as synthesis costs and reaction efficiency.