Polyethylene Glycol/Polydimethylsiloxane Polyester Products as Leveling Agents in Nylon Dyeing

A novel series of water-soluble PEG-silicone polyesters surfactants is prepared by polymerization of polyethylene glycol (PEG), maleic anhydride (MA), polydimethylsilox ane, and fumaric acid (FA). The unique structural features of these surfactants are confirmed by FTIR, 1 H-NMR, and elemental analysis. The presence of these surfactants retards the rate of nylon dyeing with acid dyes, which, along with the low-foaming property of these novel PEG-silicone polyesters, makes it possible for these surfactants to be used as leveling agents for modem nylon dyeing with acid dyes.