Synthesis and properties of amphiphilic hyperbranched polyethers as pigment dispersant

Hyperbranched polymers possess prominent properties such as low viscosity, good solubility, high rheological property, environmental non-toxic, and so on, which have potential applications in coatings. In this study, the amphiphilic hyperbranched polyethers (AHPs) consisting of hydrophobic hyperbranched polyethers core and hydrophilic poly (ethylene glycol) arms with different degree of branching (DB) under various reaction temperatures was prepared by the cation ring-opening polymerization. Their structures were characterized by IR, ¹³CNMR and GPC. Their dispersion properties for pigment particles were investigated. The AHP₄₇ with 0.47 DB was found to have good dispersion properties for Yellow HGR. This work would provide experimental data and theoretical foundation for the application of hyperbranched polyethers in environmental protection coating. (paper)