Branched polyether-polyamide block copolymers and methods of making and using the same

A polyether polyamide block copolymer having the following formula:

• wherein R1 is a C1-C8 hydrocarbon radical, R2 is a C2-C4 hydrocarbon diradical, R3 is a C2-C52 hydrocarbon diradical, R4 is selected from C2-C12 hydrocarbon diradicals optionally substituted with alkylene oxide groups, wherein at least a portion of the R4 groups is substituted with Y—C(═O)—R3—C(═O)—Z—(R2—O)w—R1, wherein Y is O or NH, Z is O or NH, w is an integer from 2 to 100;
• x is an integer from 2 to 100;
• y is an integer from 1 to 10, and z is an integer from 2 to 100, and wherein at least a portion of the Y groups is NH, wherein the softening point of the polyether polyamide block copolymer is from 60° C. to 150° C. and a viscosity of less than 5,000 centipoise at 160° C.,
• wherein the polyether polyamide block copolymer is prepared from reactants comprising a C2-C12 aliphatic diamine and a trifunctional component, wherein the trifunctional component is selected from triols, triamines, and mixtures thereof, and the diamine is present in amounts of 50% or less based on the total amount of difunctional and trifunctional amines and alcohols present on an equivalents basis.