Photoinitiated Cross-Linking Polymerization of Monomer Blends

摘要

The photoinitiated polymerization of blends of multifunctional monomers is an effective method to produce polymer networks with well designed properties. Depending on the polymerization mechanism and on the kind of photoinitiator selected (radical or cationic-type), a variety of network architectures can be generated by combination of different types of monomers. By acting on the proportions of the two monomers one can finely adjust the properties of the UV-cured polymer and make it well suited for the considered application. Under intense illumination, the crossl inking polymerization of the various monomer blends occurs within a fraction of a second to generate insoluble polymer material. Such ultrafast reaction is best followed by real-time infrared spectroscopy, a technique that records directly conversion versus time curves for each one of the two types of monomers. Their intrinsic reactivity can thus be determined accurately, as well as the amount of unreacted monomer in the UV-cured polymer. Because of its process facility (short UV-irradiation of a solvent-free formulation at ambient temperature) and the broad range of product performance, the UV-curing of monomer blends fs expected to attract attention in an ever-growing number of industrial sectors, in particular to achieve a fast drying of protective coatings and adhesives, and a rapid manufacturing of composite materials, microcircuits and printing plates.