Preparing and applying a poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride)-g-polyetheramine hyperdispersant

Purpose The purpose of this study was the preparation of a poly(styrene- co -maleic anhydride)- g -polyetheramine (SMA- g -PEA) hyperdispersant that reduces the viscosity of the system and improves the colouring intensities of pigments. Design/methodology/approach PEA of specific quality was dissolved in propylene glycol methyl ether. SMA was then added according to the required mass ratio. The solution was refluxed for 10 h under a stream of protective N2. The prepared hyperdispersant was then characterised by Fourier-transform infrared, UV–visible and 1 H NMR spectroscopies, gel-permeation chromatography and thermogravimetry. Findings PEA was successfully grafted onto the SMA polymer and the synthesised product was found to be thermally stable. The copolymer with a 6:1 mass ratio is the best dispersant and was used to disperse carbon black, phthalocyanine blue and permanent violet in water-based systems, which helps to improve the application performance of each pigment by reducing the viscosity of the system and improving the colouring intensity of the pigment. The water dispersion is stable and does not exhibit an increase in viscosity after seven days of oven aging at 50°C. Originality/value SMA- g -PEA water-based hyperdispersants were successfully synthesised. The prepared hyperdispersants help to improve the application performance of each studied pigment by reducing the viscosity of the system and improving the colouring intensity of the pigment.