Preparation, characterization, and applications of magnesium stearate, cobalt stearate, and copper stearate

Abstract

Metal soaps, such as zinc, calcium, copper, and magnesium are insoluble or sparingly soluble in water. Because of this property, they are commercially important compounds and find applications in industry, such as driers in paints or inks, components of greases, stabilizers for plastics, in fungicides, catalysts, waterproofing agents, fuel additives, components of creams and additive in drug formulation, and so on.Magnesium stearate (MgSt2) is in widespread use as gelling, sanding and anti-sticking agents, stabilizer, lubricant, emulsifier and plasticizer for polymers, in the paint, food, rubber, paper, and pharmaceutical industries. Copper stearate (CuSt2) is used mainly for rot proofing textiles, ropes, and so on. It is also used in paints since they are soluble in oils, white spirits, and so on. Quartz crystals coated with CuSt2 was used in the detection of volatile organic compounds. Cobalt stearate (CoSt2) has applications in producing Co nests and mesoporous silica as adhesion promoter. © 2014 by Apple Academic Press, Inc.