Efficient dispersion of nanoparticles
(NPs) is a crucial challenge
in the preparation and application of composites that contain NPs,
particularly in coatings, inks, and related materials. Physical adsorption
and chemical modification are the two common methods used to disperse
NPs. However, the former suffers from desorption, and the latter is
more specific and has limited versatility. To address these issues,
we developed a novel photo-cross-linked polymeric dispersant, comb-shaped
benzophenone-containing poly(ether amine) (bPEA), using a one-pot
nucleophilic/cyclic-opening addition reaction. The results demonstrated
that the bPEA dispersant forms a dense and stable shell on the surface
of pigment NPs through physical adsorption and subsequent chemical
photo-cross-linking, which effectively overcome the drawbacks of the
desorption occurred in physical adsorption and the specificity of
the chemical modification. By means of the dispersing effect of bPEA,
the obtained pigment dispersions show high solvent, thermal, and pH
stability without flocculation during storage. Moreover, the NPs dispersants
show good compatibility with screen printing, coating, and 3D printing,
endowing the ornamental products with high uniformity, color fastness,
and less color shading. These properties make bPEA dispersants ideal
candidates in fabrication dispersions of other NPs.