abstract |
A graft polymer having (a) a hydrophilic backbone prepared from unneutralized acid containing monomers wherein the acid has a pKa of at least 3, and wherein the backbone is completely soluble in water and insoluble in non-polar organic solvents; and (b) at least one discrete hydrophobic side chain, wherein 20 to 100% of the side chains are prepared from non-polar aliphatic or aromatic monomers having a chain length of at least 4 carbon atoms; wherein the side chains are attached to the backbone at a single terminal point and wherein the at least one discrete hydrophobic side chain has a weight average molecular weight of 1000 to 30,000. These graft polymers are useful as dispersants in aqueous solutions, particularly in ink jet inks. |