The methodology of attaching polymers on the surface of pigments using the S.M.A.R.T. (Surface Modification by Attachment via Radical disproportionation Technology) approach will be discussed. This method allows the “one-pot” attachment of polymers in addition to small molecules such as 4-amino benzoic acid. While the small molecules are attached through the intermediacy of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives, many polymers are amenable to incidental attachment in the presence of the free radicals generated in situ from 1,3,5-triazines species.The benefits of attaching polymers to pigments include the overriding of the pigment-polymeric dispersant compatibility problems that sometimes occur and having greater flexibility in adjusting the pigment properties for inkjet printing.
Mihaela Madaras, P.K. Sujeeth, Dan Oullette, Mark Ulrich, "Sensient's S.M.A.R.T. 4000 Technology for Self-Dispersed, Polymer-Attached Nano Particle Dispersions for Inkjet Inks" in Proc. IS&T Int'l Conf. on Digital Printing Technologies and Digital Fabrication (NIP26), 2010, pp 198 - 201, https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2169-4451.2010.26.1.art00055_1