polyquaternary

Polyquaternary, often referred to as polyquats, denotes a family of polymers that incorporate quaternary ammonium groups into their repeating units. They are a subset of cationic polymers and are used in a variety of industrial and consumer products.

These polymers are typically prepared by polymerizing monomers bearing quaternary ammonium groups or by quaternizing polyamines or other polymer backbones. This results in polymers with a positive charge along the chain, which strongly influences their interactions with negatively charged surfaces and particles.

Key properties include a cationic charge that promotes binding to negatively charged substrates such as hair, skin, cotton, soil, and inorganic particles. They are generally water-soluble or dispersible and can vary in molecular weight, charge density, and backbones. The presence of quaternary ammonium groups can also impart antimicrobial activity under certain conditions, contributing to their use in preservation and disinfection contexts.

Common applications span several industries. In cosmetics and personal care, polyquats are widely used as conditioning polymers in shampoos and hair treatments to reduce static, improve detangling, and impart smoothness. In water treatment and papermaking, they function as flocculants and coagulants to aid particle aggregation and filtration. They are also employed in textiles and coatings for their surface-binding properties and antistatic effects.

Safety and environmental considerations vary with structure and application. They are generally considered safe within regulated concentrations in cosmetics, but not all polyquats are readily biodegradable, and aquatic toxicity can be a concern for certain formulations. Regulatory status and guidance depend on the jurisdiction and intended use.