This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of a series of TRITON TM X-based surfactants with a predominantly alkyl phenol ethoxylate (APE) backbone and carboxylic or amino chain ends. Three carboxylic acid-containing TRITON X (or APE)-derivatives, [OPE2-COOH], [OPE5-COOH], and [OPE10-COOH], were prepared from commercially available octyl phenol ethoxylate (OPE) of different oxyethylene units (i.e., n ¼ 2, 5, and 10) and ethyl bromoacetate via a simple etherification reaction followed by saponification. Two amine-containing TRITON X -derivatives, [NPE10-NH 2 ] and [NPE10-imidazole], were prepared based on modifications of mesylate of nonyl phenol ethoxylate (NPE) of 10 oxyethylene units reacted with ammonia and imidazole, respectively. Depending on their composition and chain length of oxyethylene units used in the reaction, the surfactants show different thermal degradation behaviors. The carboxylic acid-containing surfactants give no char at high temperatures under air condition.

In this study, we attempted to use TRI-TON TM X (or octyl phenol ethoxylate (OPE) of different oxyethylene units (i.e., n ¼ 2, 5, and 10))-based dispersants containing a carboxylic group in the oxyethylene chain end for the formulation of BAM phosphor paste. Thus, a threecomponent system employing OPE-COOH as a dispersant, terpineol as a solvent, and ethyl cellulose as a binder was compounded with BAM particles, and the rheological properties of the paste were investigated in detail. Among three acidic TRITON X-based compounds we tested (i.e., [OPE2-COOH], [OPE5-COOH], and [OPE10-COOH]), OPE10-COOH containing the highest number of oxyethylene units in the backbone was found to be the dispersant showing the lowest viscosity of BAM paste under identical conditions.

An improved coating having a high concentration of blue phosphor powder was made with a modified Triton X-100 dispersant. The barium magnesium aluminate phosphor was very well dispersed in terpineol if the Triton (octyl phenol ethoxylate) had terminal carboxylic acid groups, which had been added to the Triton molecule by chemical synthesis. This improved dispersion was screenprinted, dried, and then sintered. Because of the very tight packing of the phosphor particles, the photoluminescence intensity of the phosphor film in vacuum ultraviolet excitation was significantly increased up to 10.23%.