Dispersant

Dispersant is an interfacial active agent that possesses both lipophilic and hydrophilic properties within a molecule. The following is a detailed introduction about dispersants:

definition

Dispersant is an amphiphilic reagent that can uniformly disperse solid and liquid particles of inorganic and organic pigments that are difficult to dissolve in liquids, while also preventing particle settling and aggregation, forming a stable suspension.

type

Dispersants are generally divided into two categories: inorganic dispersants and organic dispersants.

• Inorganic dispersant：Common ones include silicates (such as water glass) and alkali metal phosphates (such as sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and sodium pyrophosphate).

• Organic dispersant：There are various types, including triethylhexyl phosphate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, methyl pentanol, cellulose derivatives, polyacrylamide, guar gum, fatty acid polyethylene glycol ester, etc.

effect

The role of dispersants is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. Promote uniform dispersion：It helps particles or powders disperse evenly in the liquid to form a stable suspension or lotion.

2. Prevent sedimentation and aggregation：By increasing the surface activity of particles or powders, prevent their precipitation or aggregation in liquids.

3. Stable pigment dispersion：Stabilize the dispersed pigment dispersion, modify the surface properties of pigment particles, and adjust the mobility of pigment particles.

4. Enhance gloss and leveling effect：When the particle size is less than half of the incident light, it manifests as refracted light, increasing gloss; Simultaneously reducing the native number of particles, lowering the structural viscosity, and improving the leveling effect.

5. Prevent floating colors and discoloration：Prevent uneven distribution of colors in the coating.

6. Improve coloring power：Enhance the coverage and color saturation of pigments or dyes.

7. Reduce viscosity：Reduce the viscosity of liquid coatings and increase pigment loading.

8. Increase storage stability：Ensure that the paint or ink remains stable during storage.

usage method

The main methods of using dispersants include liquid dispersion, vacuum dispersion, and ultrasonic dispersion.

• Liquid dispersion method：Firstly, add the dispersant to the liquid and stir thoroughly to mix it evenly with the liquid. Then add the solid particles that need to be dispersed to the mixed solution and stir again to fully disperse them.

• Vacuum dispersion method：Suitable for solid particles that are difficult to disperse by conventional stirring or mixing methods. Under vacuum conditions, slowly add solid particles into a liquid containing a dispersant to evenly disperse them in the liquid.

• Ultrasonic dispersion method：Using ultrasonic vibration to disperse solid particles in liquid. Mix the dispersant and liquid and place them in an ultrasonic processor to achieve dispersion through ultrasonic vibration.

Precautions for use

1. Choose the correct type of dispersant：Choose the appropriate dispersant based on the properties of the material to be dispersed and the application requirements.

2. Control usage：The amount of dispersant used should be moderate, as excessive use may affect the performance of the material.

3. Control pH and temperature：Some dispersants are sensitive to pH and temperature and need to be adjusted according to their properties.

4. Avoid mixing：Different types of dispersants should not be mixed to avoid interaction and reduce dispersion effect.

5. Storage precautions：Dispersants should be stored in a dry, cool, and well ventilated place, away from sources of fire and organic matter.

By selecting and using dispersants reasonably, the quality and performance of products can be effectively improved.