Preparation and dispersion properties of water-soluble polyethylene glycol-dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt polyester surfactants

The reaction of polyethylene glycol (PEG, number-average molecular weights M̄n=400–2000) and dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt (SIPM) produced a series of water-soluble polymeric surfactants. The structure of these surfactants was confirmed by IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. These polymeric surfactants have been found to exhibit excellent pH buffer capacity and dispersant properties in disperse dye system. The experimental results indicated that these surfactants could retard the rate of polyester dyeing with disperse dyes and may be used as leveling agents.