What Is Nano Pigment Paste and How Is It Made?

Nano pigment paste refers to pigment dispersions with an average particle size typically in the 100–300 nm range, far smaller than traditional micron-sized pigment pastes. The main challenge in producing nano pigment pastes lies not only in grinding pigments down to the nanoscale but also in maintaining the stability of these ultra-fine particles once they reach that size.

In general, a pigment paste is a dispersion system composed of dispersants, wetting agents, defoamers, pigments, and a liquid medium.
For waterborne pigment pastes, water, dispersants, resins, defoamers, and pigments are accurately weighed and added in sequence, then mixed using a high-speed disperser. The mixture is subsequently milled, filtered, and inspected. Once the required fineness is achieved, a waterborne nano pigment paste is obtained.

Because pigment pastes are dispersion systems, pigments tend to re-aggregate and flocculate over time without external forces. Pigment particles naturally settle since they do not remain stably suspended in the liquid phase.

This is where dispersants become essential. By forming a protective layer around pigment particles, a dispersant creates steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion, effectively preventing flocculation and sedimentation.

Role of Steric Hindrance

Dispersants adsorb directionally onto the pigment surface, improving wetting, facilitating dispersion, and significantly increasing the milling efficiency while reducing processing time. Without an effective dispersant, achieving a stable pigment paste would be nearly impossible.

Why Choose DISUPER S9100?

DISUPER S9100 is a nonionic dispersant suitable for both aqueous and solvent-based systems. Its A–B segment structure contains a pigment-affinitive block and a solvent-affinitive block, while the B-segment carries abundant functional groups that enable broad compatibility across waterborne, glycol ether, aromatic solvent, and even solvent-free systems. It enhances gloss and boosts color saturation.

Significantly Boosts Milling Efficiency

DISUPER S9100 adsorbs directionally onto pigment surfaces and increases steric hindrance between particles. This reduces interparticle friction, suppresses re-flocculation, and dramatically improves milling efficiency, enabling pigments to be dispersed down to the nano scale. It is especially effective for dispersing and stabilizing titanium dioxide, high-structure carbon black, and phthalocyanine pigments.

Excellent Anti-Flocculation, Anti-Settling, and Anti-Floating Properties

DISUPER S9100 is a high-molecular-weight dispersant. Once adsorbed, it creates a thick steric barrier that makes re-aggregation extremely difficult. Its multi-functional group architecture allows it to interact with a wide range of pigments, giving it excellent resistance to floating color, flooding, and sedimentation.

Key Features of DISUPER S9100 Super Dispersant

• No grinding resin required; enables ultra-high-solids pigment concentrates
• Compatible with all emulsion systems; excellent compatibility with water-dispersible or water-soluble resins
• Excellent water and alcohol resistance
• Prevents floating color and flooding; ideal for high-gloss coatings
• Provides inherent viscosity reduction and anti-settling effects in high-solids inorganic systems