Structure-Performance Relationships among Aromatic Polyetheramide Comb Polymer Dispersants

A three-dimensional experimental design was used to probe the structure/function relationships among aromatic comb polymer dispersants created by the reaction of styrene maleic anhydride resins with polyetheramines. The relationships were probed by preparing model suspension concentrate formulations and measuring formulation physical properties, including suspensibility, viscosity, and Ostwald ripening. It was found that optimum dispersant performance occurred with a high degree of “backbone” aromaticity and high water solubility but low-molecular-weight polyether “comb teeth.”