The name is absent

branching pattern [256, 257, 258]. Even though these branched architectures require
greater study, preliminary results do suggest that their interfacial behavior differs
significantly from that of linear polymers of the same chemistry, and this may of-
fer distinct advantages in applications [253]. For example, the homopolymer combs
provide higher surface coverage and thinner films than the comparable linear poly-
mers [259]. This can be exploited in establishing the design criteria for fabricating
polymer films with prescribed properties, such as surface coverage, layer thickness,
adhesion, and wettability. The greater availability of chain-end-functional groups also
permits the stronger adhesion of interactions between a functionalized dendrimer and
a surface than the corresponding linear polymer. Other property differences, such as
lack of entanglements in dendrimers, decreased crystallinity, and a compact 3D shape,
can be exploited to give materials with superior performance at the solid-liquid in-
terface [260, 261].

These branched polymers are often encountered in rubbers, thermoplastic and
thermosetting resins, and organic and inorganic gels which have numerous appli-
cations as sealants, coatings, and inert or interactive supports in traditional (au-
tomotive, textile, and construction industries) and biomedical (contact lenses, and
drug delivery systems) fields. For these reasons, the theoretical modeling of confined
branched polymers is important. The models reported in the literature are specific
to certain architectures. In practice, more complex chain architectures with different
blocks (branches or the backbone) having different compatibilities, surface affinities

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