In the fields of material processing and chemical production, coupling agents, crosslinking agents, and dispersants are three commonly used additives with different functions, but they all have a critical impact on material properties. The following provides a detailed explanation from the aspects of definition, main characteristics, typical types, and core differences.

Coupling agent
Coupling agents are a type of chemical substance that can act as a "bridge" at the interface between two materials with different properties, like a "diplomat" connecting the inorganic and organic worlds. Their core function is to improve the interfacial bonding between inorganic and organic materials, thereby enhancing the comprehensive performance of composite materials.
Parent structure: Molecules usually contain two different functional groups with one end being a hydrophilic inorganic group (such as silicon oxygen bond, titanium oxygen bond, etc.), which can undergo chemical reactions or physical adsorption with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of inorganic materials (such as glass, ceramics, metals, fillers, etc.); The other end is a hydrophilic organic group (such as amino, epoxy, vinyl, etc.), which can undergo chemical reactions or be physically compatible with organic materials (such as plastics, rubber, resins, etc.).
Enhanced interface bonding: By forming chemical bonds or strong physical interactions at the interface, the interface "gap" caused by polarity differences between inorganic and organic materials is eliminated, interface defects are reduced, and stress can be effectively transmitted at the interface.
Improving material performance: It can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of composite materials, such as tensile strength, impact strength, bending strength, etc; At the same time, it can improve the water resistance, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and processing flowability of the material.

Low dosage but significant effect: usually only 0.1% -5% (relative to the amount of inorganic filler) needs to be added in composite materials to significantly improve interfacial performance.

Silane coupling agent: such as KH550 (γ - aminopropyltriethoxysilane), commonly used in glass fiber reinforced plastics, coatings, adhesives. The inorganic end is siloxane, which can react with hydroxyl groups on the surface of inorganic materials. The organic end amino group can react with epoxy resins, polyurethanes, etc.

Titanium ester coupling agent: such as isopropyl tristearoyl titanium ester, suitable for the composite of fillers such as calcium carbonate and talc powder with polyolefins, can reduce the viscosity of the system and increase the filling amount.

Crosslinking agent
Crosslinking agent is a substance that can connect linear polymer chains through chemical bonds to form a three-dimensional network structure, like an "architect" that builds material strength. Its function is to change the molecular structure of polymer materials, thereby optimizing their physical and chemical properties.
Multi functional group structure: The molecule contains at least two reactive functional groups (such as double bonds, epoxy groups, isocyanate groups, peroxide groups, etc.) that can react chemically with active functional groups (such as hydroxyl groups, amino groups, double bonds, etc.) on the polymer chain.
Change molecular morphology: Convert linear or branched polymers into a network structure, transforming the material from thermoplastic to thermosetting (some with lower cross-linking still remain thermoplastic, but their properties have changed).
Optimize material properties: significantly improve the material's heat resistance (such as increasing glass transition temperature), solvent resistance (insoluble in solvents), mechanical strength (such as increasing hardness and elastic modulus), while reducing the material's creep and shrinkage rate.
Specific reaction conditions: Different crosslinking agents need to initiate crosslinking reactions under specific conditions (such as temperature, pressure, light, catalyst, etc.). For example, peroxide crosslinking agents need to be heated and decomposed to produce free radicals, while sulfur crosslinking needs to be carried out in the presence of a promoter.

Sulfur and sulfur-containing compounds: mainly used for rubber cross-linking (vulcanization), connecting rubber molecular chains through the formation of sulfur bridges, endowing rubber with elasticity and wear resistance.
Peroxides, such as diisopropylbenzene peroxide (DCP), are suitable for crosslinking polyethylene, ethylene propylene rubber, etc. They crosslink polymer chains through free radicals generated by decomposition.

Isocyanates, such as toluene diisocyanate (TDI), are commonly used for crosslinking polyurethane. They react with hydroxyl groups to form urea bonds, curing polyurethane from a prepolymer to an elastomer or rigid foam.

Dispersant
Dispersant is a chemical substance that can promote the uniform dispersion of solid particles in liquid media and prevent their re aggregation. It is equivalent to a "moderator" who reconciles particles and fights, and its core function is to maintain the stability of the dispersion system.
Surface activity: The molecule contains hydrophilic groups (compatible with the dispersion medium) and hydrophilic groups (adsorbed on the surface of solid particles), which can reduce the interfacial tension between solid particles and the dispersion medium.
Stable dispersion system: Dispersion stability is achieved through two mechanisms: one is the adsorption of hydrophilic groups on the surface of particles, and the extension of hydrophilic groups towards the dispersion medium to form a charge layer (ionic dispersant), which uses charge repulsion to prevent particle aggregation; The second is the formation of a steric hindrance layer (non-ionic dispersant) by hydrophilic groups, which hinders particles from approaching each other.
Improving processing performance: It can reduce the viscosity of the dispersed system, improve fluidity, and facilitate processing operations such as stirring, conveying, and coating; At the same time, it makes the particle distribution more uniform and avoids performance defects caused by excessive local concentration.
Widely applicable: It can be used for dispersing pigments, fillers, nanoparticles, etc. in media such as water, organic solvents, resins, etc., such as coatings, inks, ceramic slurries, cosmetics, and other fields.

Ionic dispersants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic), are commonly used for dispersing pigments in aqueous systems by generating negative charges that cause particles to repel each other.
Non ionic dispersants: such as polyoxyethylene ethers, suitable for non-aqueous systems or ion sensitive systems, stable dispersion through steric hindrance.
Polymer dispersants, such as polycarboxylate esters, have high molecular weight, strong adsorption capacity, significant steric hindrance effect, and are suitable for dispersing high concentrations and fine particles.

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