Hyperbranched poly(amido amine) demulsifiers with ethylenediamine/1,3-propanediamine as an initiator for oil-in-water emulsions with microdroplets

•The hyperbranched poly(amido amine) with 1,3-propanediamine as the initiator was developed as effective demulsifier for O/W emulsions of microdroplets with oil removal ratio higher than 92%.•The combination of UV–vis, DLS and SAXS analyses provides a new approach to monitor demulsification process and comprehend demulsification mechanism.