PBTC (2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid) is a highly efficient organophosphonate widely used in water treatment, textile, paper making and other industries. It has excellent chelating ability and can form stable complexes with a variety of metal ions. In order to better understand the position and performance of PBTCA among chelating agents, we can compare it with other common chelating agents.
1. Comparison of PBTCA with other common chelating agents
- HEDP (1-hydroxyethylphosphonic acid)
- Structure: HEDP contains a phosphonic acid group and a hydroxyl group.
- Chelating ability: HEDP has strong chelating ability for iron ions, but its chelating ability decreases under alkaline conditions.
- Heat resistance: HEDP shows good stability under high temperature.
- Application: Commonly used in water treatment, textile bleaching and metal rust prevention.
- pH range: Suitable for neutral and weakly acidic conditions.
- EDTMP (Ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid)
- Structure: EDTMP contains four phosphonic acid groups and two ethylenediamine groups.
- Chelating ability: EDTMP has a strong chelating ability for calcium and magnesium ions and is stable over a wide pH range.
- Heat resistance: EDTMP shows good stability at high temperatures.
- Applications: Widely used in water treatment, textile dyeing and pulp bleaching.
- pH range: Suitable for neutral and weakly alkaline conditions.
- DTPA (Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid)
- Structure: DTPA contains five carboxylic acid groups and two diethylenetriamine groups.
- Chelating ability: DTPA has strong chelating ability for many metal ions (such as iron, copper, zinc, etc.).
- Heat resistance: DTPA is less stable at high temperature.
- Application: Commonly used in soil remediation, plant nutrition and heavy metal removal.
- pH range: Suitable for neutral and weakly alkaline conditions.
- EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
- Structure: EDTA contains four carboxylic acid groups and two ethylenediamine groups.
- Chelating ability: EDTA has strong chelating ability for many metal ions (such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, etc.).
- Heat resistance: EDTA is less stable at high temperature.
- Application: Widely used in water treatment, food processing, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
- pH range: Suitable for neutral and weakly alkaline conditions.
- PBTC (2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid)
- Structure: PBTCA contains one phosphonic acid group and three carboxylic acid groups.
- Chelating ability: PBTCA has a strong chelating ability for ions such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc, and shows excellent stability at high temperatures.
- Heat resistance: PBTCA is very stable at high temperatures and is able to remain stable in water up to 120℃.
- Applications: Widely used in circulating cooling water systems, oilfield water injection systems, detergent industry and metal cleaning.
- pH Range: Suitable for a wide range of pH ranges, including neutral, weakly acidic and weakly alkaline conditions.
2. Conclusion
- Chelating ability: PBTCA has strong chelating ability for ions such as calcium, magnesium and zinc, especially under high temperature conditions.
- Heat resistance: PBTCA’s stability at high temperatures is superior to that of EDTA and DTPA, giving it an advantage in high temperature industrial applications.
- pH Stability: PBTCA maintains good performance over a wide pH range, making it suitable for a wider variety of industrial environments.
- Application areas: PBTCA is widely used in circulating cooling water systems, oilfield water injection systems, detergent industry and metal cleaning, showing its versatility.