Effect of UV-curing conditions on the cationic polymerization kinetics of vinyl ether monomers

Abstract

In this study, the performance of a new triarylsulfonium photoinitiator in the initiation of cationic polymerization of vinyl monomers was investigated by infrared spectroscopy (IR). The effect of the emission spectrum of light sources on the kinetics of the curing process was examined. The results indicate that the light source characterized by a total overlap of its emission spectrum with the photoinitiator absorption spectrum is the best system for effective cure. In the case of smaller overlap of spectrums, the conversion degree and the rate are lower. Nevertheless, it is easy to regulate by extending the energy of the emitted light. At the UVB light source, the maximal conversion degree is 71.8%, with the polymerization rate of 1.68 s-1, which is faster than the corresponding free-radical photopolymerization of acrylic monomers.