Investigating the effect of anchoring groups modified comb-like polycarboxylate hyperdispersants on dispersion and stability in dispersed dyes

Comb-like hyperdispersants are widely used for the dispersion of liquid dispersed dyes (LDDs), because of the molecular structure of comb, in which the effective steric hindrance effects provided by polymer side chains and the adsorption force provided by anchoring groups, resulting in the dispersant to be firmly adsorbed on the surface of the dye. However, the mechanism by which the anchoring groups in this dispersant affect the dispersion and stability of LDDs is still unclear. Herein, three types of anchoring group modified comb-like polycarboxylate hyperdispersants were synthesized to explore the effect of anchoring groups on stability and dispersibility, in which the anchoring groups from the monomers of 2-vinylnaphthalene (2-VNP), styrene (St), and 4-vinylbiphenyl (4-VBP). The optimal sand grinding conditions and dispersion stability of the modified hyperdispersants were comprehensively investigated. 2-VNP modified hyperdispersant (DPN) possessed higher grinding efficiency and better dispersion stability than those of St (DPS) and 4-VBP modified hyperdispersants (DPB). The results of atomic force microscope (AFM) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) indicated that DPN exhibited higher adsorption force (2.16 mN/m) than that the DPS (0.648 mN/m) and DPB (1.56 mN/m), thereby improving the adsorption strength of dispersants and DDs, stabling the dispersion effect of LDDs. In addition, the dyeing performance of the prepared LDDs on polyester fabric was further investigated. It was found that these LDDs acquired a faster dyeing rate, higher K/S values and rubbing color fastness, and lower chemical oxygen demand (COD) of residual liquid than commercial powder DDs, due to the higher adsorption force on the DDs surface provided good colloidal stability in the high temperatures dye bath. We expect that this study will provide important mechanistic insights into the development of hyperdispersants for LDDs controlled by high adsorption force anchoring groups.