Comb Copolymer Mixture for High-Solid Pigment Paste Flowability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing comb copolymers based on styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers do not provide sufficient viscosity reduction as wetting and dispersing agents, leading to non-flowable pigment pastes with high solid content, which limits their effectiveness in applications requiring high pigment content.
Innovation Solution
A polymer mixture comprising a comb copolymer with specific structural units and a copolymer based on styrene and maleic anhydride units, where the carboxyl groups are partially converted to alkali metal, earth alkali metal, or ammonium salts, is developed to enhance the flowability and dispersing capabilities of pigment pastes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional comb copolymers based on styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers are used as wetting and dispersing agents, then pigment dispersion is achieved, but viscosity reduction is insufficient leading to non-flowable pigment pastes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite wetting and dispersing agent system comprising multiple components: a comb copolymer with polyalkylene oxide side chains (component I), a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (component II), and optionally additional auxiliaries. This composite approach combines the advantages of different polymer structures to achieve both high solid content dispersion and sufficient flowability, resolving the contradiction between pigment content and paste flowability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific parameters of the comb copolymer including the polydispersity index (PDI) in the range of 1.05-1.30, the ratio of average molecular weights of side chains to main chain (0.2-2.0), and the degree of substitution (0.5-2.0 mmol/g). These parameter optimizations enhance the viscosity reduction capability while maintaining high pigment content, thereby improving paste flowability without sacrificing solid content.
2Quantity of substance
If high solid content pigment pastes are formulated, then pigment content is increased, but flowability deteriorates making the paste non-flowable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs precise parameter control of the comb copolymer structure, particularly the polydispersity index (1.05-1.30) and the molecular weight ratio of side chains to main chain (0.2-2.0), to optimize the balance between pigment loading capacity and paste flowability. This allows formulation of high pigment content pastes that remain flowable.
Solution Approach 2:
The comb copolymer acts as an intermediary substance between pigment particles and the continuous phase, with its specific structure (controlled PDI and side chain-to-main chain molecular weight ratio) enabling effective steric stabilization and lubrication. This intermediary function allows high pigment content while maintaining adequate flowability through optimized polymer-pigment interactions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The polymer mixture significantly improves the flowability and dispersing properties of pigment pastes, enabling the formulation of stable, high-pigment-content pastes with improved viscosity reduction, making them suitable for various industrial and cosmetic applications.
Implementation Method 1
comb copolymers are already known from the prior art that are obtained by converting styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA resins) as main chain with polyalkylene oxide amines and polyalkylene glycols as side chains
Implementation Method 2
at least one copolymerisate II comprising polymerised, optionally substituted styrene and maleic anhydride units, the carboxyl groups of which are present at least partially as alkali metal, earth alkali metal or ammonium salts
Implementation Method 3
comb copolymers are already known from the prior art that are obtained by converting styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA resins) as main chain with polyalkylene oxide amines and polyalkylene glycols as side chains
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymer mixture consisting of at least one comb copolymer I containing blocks consisting of special structural units and at least one copolymerisate II comprising polymerised, optionally substituted styrene and maleic anhydride units, the carboxyl groups of which are present at least partially as alkali metal, earth alkali metal or ammonium salts, and also to the use of these polymer mixtures as wetting and dispersing agents.