What is the purpose of fluorescent whitening agents?

📝 Product Overview

Optical Brightener OB is a highly effective benzoxazole-based fluorescent whitening agent, chemically known as 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophene. It absorbs invisible ultraviolet light (maximum absorption wavelength approx. 374nm) and converts it into visible blue-violet fluorescence (maximum emission wavelength approx. 435nm), thereby neutralizing the subtle yellow tint of substrates and significantly enhancing the whiteness, brightness, and vividness of finished products.

Core Characteristics:

✅ High-Efficiency Whitening: Exceptional whitening and brightening effects achievable at extremely low addition levels (0.01%-0.05%)

✅ Superior Compatibility: Excellent compatibility with most polymers (e.g., plastics, coatings, inks), with minimal migration or leaching

✅ Outstanding Stability: Exceptional heat resistance (up to 300°C+), lightfastness, and chemical resistance

✅ Eco-Friendly & Safe: Heavy metal-free formulation compliant with multiple international environmental regulations

🔬Key Specifications

Physical and Chemical Properties:

Chemical Name: 2,5-Bis(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophene

Molecular Formular: C26H26N2O2S

English name: BBOT

CAS No.: 52232-33-4

Appearancelight: yellow or milk white powder

Purity: ≥ 99.8 %

Melting point : 201-202

Ash: ≤ 0.1

Volatile content: ≤ 0.4 %

Molecular Weight: 430.56

🚀 Primary Applications

1️⃣Plastics: 

PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, thermoplastics, cellulose acetate, etc. Used in injection molding, extrusion, and film production to enhance product appearance.

2️⃣Fiber Materials:

Cellulose acetate, polyester fibers. Enhances color brightness when combined with pigments.

3️⃣Other Applications: 

Printing inks, coatings, flexible PVC and polyethylene products. Particularly suitable for use with UV absorbers (requires dosage adjustment).

4️⃣Paper Industry: 

Used for whitening treatment of paper and pulp, enhancing paper brightness and visual appeal. Suitable for premium printing paper, cultural paper, etc.

5️⃣Detergents and Soaps: 

Added to laundry detergents, washing liquids, or soaps to enhance post-wash whiteness and brightness of textiles, improving the visual perception of cleaning effectiveness.

6️⃣Textiles: 

Used as a fluorescent whitening agent during textile dyeing and finishing processes to enhance the whiteness and vibrancy of fabrics such as cotton, linen, and synthetic fibers.

7️⃣Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: 

Used in small quantities in certain whitening cosmetics or care products (e.g., nail polish, hair gel) to enhance product brightness (must comply with regulatory requirements).

8️⃣Fluorescent Tracers: 

Employed as fluorescent markers in specialized industrial applications, such as pipeline leak detection or identification in industrial coatings.

📦 Packaging and Storage

Packaging Specifications:

25 kg/bag (cardboard drum or carton, lined with polyethylene plastic bag)

Storage Conditions:

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse

Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture absorption

Keep away from fire sources, heat sources, and strong oxidizing agents

Recommended ambient temperature: 10 - 30°C; Relative humidity: < 75%

Shelf Life:

24 months from production date under specified storage conditions

Transportation Notes:

Transport as non-hazardous goods

Avoid exposure to sunlight and rain during transit

Prevent violent impacts to avoid packaging damage