DISPERSANT

PRODUCT
GUIDE
DISPERSING TECHNOLOGY agents, effects such as reduced color strength,
decreased gloss, and altered rheology may occur.
By the preparation of colored paint, a good
dispersion quality is one of the most difficult 1.1 Stabilizing of Pigment dispersion
factors. The dispersion process consists of The pigment dispersion what is achieved in the
converting dry pigments into pigment dispersion, last step will be used later in the let down system
which must be fine and sufficiently stable to where it should stay stable during storage and
achieve the final coloristic properties and stability. later during the application and film formation.
This is a complex process there resin, type of
pigment, solvents and the use of dispersing agents Stability of pigment concentrates or actually
are playing here an important role. preventing pigment particles to re-agglomerate
again is depending on the dispersing agent. The
1. Dispersion process distance between 2 particles needs to be big
High saturation and colouring properties of enough that they can repulse each other.
high quality coatings are characterized by good There are two principal mechanisms for the
dispersion of pigments, optimization of particle stabilization of pigmented dispersions described:
size and long-term stability.
The dispersion process of a pigment in liquid
coatings can be divided into the three processes: 1.1.1 Electrostatic stabilization is only working
in a water based application. When two particles
having the same charges approaching each other
will result in a repelling effect. The resulting
Coulomb-repulsion of the charged particles allows
the system to remain stable.

Pigment wetting: The air and moisture covering

the pigment is replaced by the resin solution. The
solid/gas interface (pigment/air) is transformed
into a solid/liquid interface (pigment/resin
solution).
1.1.2 Steric stabilization suited for water and
Grinding stage: By high shear forces the pigment solvent based systems is when pigments are
agglomerates are broken up into smaller units, sterically stabilized (the surface of the solid
preferable primary particles. particles are completely covered by polymers)
making particle-to-particle contact impossible.
Stabilization: The pigment dispersion is stabilized Strong interactions between polymers and
by dispersing agents in order to prevent the solvents (organic solvent or water) prevent the
formation of uncontrolled flocculates. The polymers from coming too closely into contact
resultant suspension is stabilized due to the with one another (flocculation).
adsorption of binder species or molecules at the
pigment surface.

Dispersing additives, which adsorb on the

pigment surface, facilitate liquid/solid interfacial
interactions and help to replace the air/solid
interface by a liquid medium/solid interface.

The grinding process can be regarded as a de- Steric stabilization relies on the adsorption of a
flocculation process. In the absence of stabilizing layer of resin or polymer chains on the surface of
the pigment.
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One fundamental requirement of steric 2.1 Polymeric dispersants
stabilization is that the chains are fully solvated by Polymeric dispersants stabilize paints, coatings and
the medium. This is important because it means ink systems via a steric stabilization mechanism.
the chains will be free to extend into the medium. They must have specific anchor groups capable of
In systems where the chains are not so well being strongly adsorbed into the particle surface
solvated they will prefer to lie next to each other and must contain polymeric chains that give
on the surface of the pigment, providing a very steric stabilization in the required solvent or resin
much smaller barrier to inter-particulate attraction solution system.
what will result in much easier flocculation. Polymeric dispersants differentiate themselves
from the other types of dispersing agents through
2. Dispersants Families considerably higher molecular weights. Because
The choice of the dispersing agents for the of its structural features, a polymeric dispersant
pigment stabilization is a key issue in the coating is bound to numerous sites at the same time,
and ink industry. Formulators have to find the forming durable adsorption layers upon many
most suitable products for their formulation pigment particles. Optimal steric stabilization
taking into account the final application of their is achieved when the polymer chains are well
coating, the coating system (water based, solvent solvated and properly stretched, therefore they
based, etc.) and the other additives. must be highly compatible with the surrounding
The role of the dispersing agents is to enhance the resin solution. If this compatibility is obstructed,
dispersion process and ensure a fine particle size the polymer chains collapse causing the steric
in order to stabilize pigments in the resin solution. hindrance and the resulting stabilization to be
As explained earlier, an efficient dispersant has lost.
to perform the three main functions: pigment In order for additives to be effective, the
wetting, dispersing, and stabilizing. Dispersing adsorption into the pigment surface must be
agents generally differ for aqueous and solvent- durable and permanent. The surface properties of
based coatings. the pigment particles are therefore crucial to the
additive's effectiveness:
In term of chemical structure one can divide With pigments possessing high surface polarities,
dispersing agents into the two following classes: such as inorganic pigments that are ionically
• Surfactants, also called low molecular weight constructed, the adsorption of any dispersing
dispersing agents additive is relatively easy.
• Polymeric dispersants, also called high
molecular weight dispersants However, for pigments with nonpolar surfaces,
such as organic pigments whose crystals are
The main differences of those two types of composed of nonpolar individual molecules, a
dispersants being the molecular weight, the proper adsorption is rather difficult to obtain with
stabilization mechanism and the resulting let conventional additives. The wide range of anchor
down stability. groups that polymeric dispersants provide make
In addition polymeric dispersing agents have them very efficient to anchor on pigments with
multiple anchor groups where surfactant like nonpolar surfaces.
dispersing agents more related to a polar head In the traditional method of stabilizing pigments
dispersion process and ensure a fine particle size in water, the stabilizing charges used are often
in order to stabilize pigments in the resin solution. disturbed by impurities, such as other ions, or the
presence of other pigments with different zeta-
potentials. This leads to a destabilizing effect,
caused by the reduction of the repulsive forces.
Surfactant dispersant dispersantt with BAB coploymer Steric stabilization can avoid this issue, making
functional groups
polymeric dispersants very useful for dispersing
all types of pigments, even the organic ones that
are very difficult to be deflocculated by traditional
wetting and dispersing additives.
ABA coploymer Random copolymer Comb coploymer

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The nature of the polymeric chain is critical to
the performance of polymeric dispersants. If the
chains are not sufficiently solvated, then they ANIONIC COMPOUNDS
will collapse on to the pigment surface allowing CATIONIC COMPOUNDS
the particles to aggregate or flocculate. The
need for compatibility with the medium extends
throughout the final drying stages of any applied
coating. If it ceases to be compatible, flocculation ELECTRONEUTRAL COMPOUNDS
may occur leading to a decrease of surface NON-IONIC COMPOUNDS
properties such as losses in gloss and tinting
strength, etc.

As with the polymeric dispersing agents, their

effectiveness is determined by:
• The absorption of the polar group onto
the pigment surface. The anchoring groups can be
amino, carboxylic, sulfonic, phosphoric acids or
their salts.
• The behaviour of the nonpolar chain in
the medium surrounding the particle. This part
of the molecule (aliphatic or aliphatic-aromatic
segments) must be highly compatible with the
The molecular weight of the polymeric dispersants binder system.
must be sufficient to provide polymer chains of The stabilization mechanism of surfactant-
optimum length to overcome Van der Waals forces like dispersing agents is electrostatic: the polar
of attraction between pigment particles: groups forming an electrical double layer around
Finally, for good surface coating properties the pigments particles. Due to the Brownian
and performances, the polymer must be fully movement the pigment particles frequently
compatible with the coating resin after the solvent encounter each other in the liquid medium thus
has evaporated off and the resin has been cross- having a strong tendency to re-flocculate on the
linked. let down stage.

2.2 Low molecular weight dispersant (Surfactants) Because of their chemical structure (eg: low
Surfactant dispersants are conventional low molecular weight) and the electrostatic method of
molecular weight dispersing agents. Surfactant stabilization, surfactants may cause the following
molecules are able to modify the properties and, defects:
in particular, they lower the interfacial tension • Water sensitivity: Surfactants generally have
between the pigment and the resin solution. a tendency to provide water sensitivity to the
final coating, thus making them inappropriate
This surface activity arises because the surfactants' for use in outdoor applications.
structure consists of two groups of contrasting • Foam formation: Many surfactants generate
solubility or polarity. In aqueous systems, the foams which lead to surface defects (eg. fish
polar group is known as a hydrophilic group and eyes, craters) on the final coating. If foaming
the non-polar group as hydrophobic or lipophilic. occurs at the milling stage it can also cause a
In non-aqueous systems, the polar group is known loss of production capacity.
as the oleophobic group and the non-polar group • Interference with intercoat adhesion.
as oleophilic. Surfactants are classified according
to their chemical structure and, more specifically, Over the past years specific surfactants have been
their polar group: anionic, cationic, electroneutral developed to minimize these defects, and some
and non-ionic. provide other advantages to the final paints such

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as defoaming/dearation or difficult substrate in particular, they lower the interfacial tension
wetting. between the pigment and the resin solution.
The most widely used surfactants for pigment
dispersion in coating formulations are: This surface activity arises because the surfactants'
• Fatty acid derivatives structure consists of two groups of contrasting
• Phosphate esters solubility or polarity. I
• Sodium polyacrylates / polyacrylic acid suitable dispersing agents is sometimes difficult
• Acetylene diols and their usage require sometimes specific
• Soya lecithin guidelines.

Main differences between LMW dispersant and The choice of dispersant is also related to the
HMW dispersant: surface nature of the pigment. The polarity of the
surface of the pigment differs from organic (non-
polar) to inorganic (more polar), and this means
that the nature of the dispersant anchor group
is critical for optimum absorption. The choice of
anionic anchor (acid value) group should allow for
better performance with inorganic pigments and
a cationic anchor group (amine value) should be
more appropriate for organic pigments.

The surface area of the pigment also affects the

level of dispersant used, and in general, if too
little is used then the full benefits will not be
3 Required amount of dispersant. realized. If too much is used, it can be shown that
Dispersing agents are not just additives to the thickness of the protective barrier is actually
conventional mill-bases. The choice of the most reduced as a result of overcrowding on the
suitable dispersing agents is sometimes difficult pigment surface. Therefore the use of an excess
and their usage require sometimes specific level of dispersant actually leads to final coating
guidelines. properties which are inferior to those obtained
with an optimized dosage.
The choice of dispersant is also related to the
surface nature of the pigment. The polarity of
the surface of the pigment differs from organic
(non-polar) to inorganic (more polar), and this
means that the nature of the dispersant anchor
group is critical for optimum absorption. The
choice of anionic anchor group should allow for
better performance with inorganic pigments and a
cationic anchor group should be more appropriate
for organic pigments.

The surface area of the pigment also affects the As a general rule, 2-2.5 mg of polymeric
level of dispersant used, and in general, if too little dispersant, per square meter of pigment surface
is used then the full benefits will not be realized. area will be close to the optimum amount
If too much is used, it can be shown that the required.
thickness of the p
molecules are able to modify the properties and,

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Dispersant requirements
Due to new environmental standards the
requirements for dispersing agents changes too.
To be more friendly and give the customers a more
flexible approach for using the dispersant in more
applications and to choose the carrier or dilution
solvent on their wish. UNIQCHEM dispersant
technology enables the production of highly loaded
pigments, high stability and very broad compatible.
This technology by sterically stabilization dispersions
makes prodction possible with higher solid contents,
lower and improved viscosities, better particle sice
stability resulting in minimized rubout, gloss and for
many pigments also improved transparency.
Sure the working of the dispersant is depending
on the media where it is used and in what polarity
system the dispersant is used. Therefore there are
different kind of dispersants for different media and
polarity available.

Pigment surface area (BET)

Solid dispersant on pigment (SOP) = ---------------------------------------
4–5

A ladder series of polymeric dosage levels should

be evaluated based around this 2-2.5 mg/m2 level. Measurement of dispersion viscosity will show a
minimum at the optimum dosage; although it is
Measurement of dispersion viscosity will show a also possible to measure gloss or colour strength
minimum at the optimum dosage; although it is of the coating which will show a maximum at the
also possible to measure gloss or colour strength same optimum dosage.
of the coating which will show a maximum at the
same optimum dosage.

BASIC SURFACE ACIDIC OR NEUTRAL SURFACE

PIGMENT Alkaline Carbon blacks
Organic pigments
Carbon blacks

Aluminia treated TiO2 Silica treated TiO2

Iron oxides
Caclium carbonate Silica and matting agents
Talk and other filler
PREFERRED
Acidic anchor (acid value) Basic or neutral Anchor group (Amine value)
DISPERSANT

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Regional
Headquarters

Europe, Middle East and Africa

UNIQCHEM GmbH
Hollandstrasse 7
D-48527 Nordhorn, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 5921 853 7428
Email: [email protected]

Asia Pacific
UNIQCHEM Shanghai Co., Ltd.
7876, Humin Road, room 706,
Sovereign building, Minhang district,
201102 Shanghai, China
Tel: +86 (0) 21 5433 6480
Email: [email protected]

This informatiom and all further technical advice is based on our present knowledge and experience . However, it implies no liability or other legal
responsibility on our part, including with regard to existing third party intellectual property rights, especially patent rights. In particular, nowarranty,
whether express or implied, or guarantee of product properties in the legal sense is intended or implied. We reserve the right to make any chances
according to technological progress or futher developments . The customer is not released from the obligation to product careful inspection and
tseting of incoming goods. Perfomåance of the product described herein should be verified by testing, which should be carried out only by qualified
experts in the sole responsibility of a customer. Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor does it imply
that similar products could not be used.

Oct. 2020