Kinetics studies of hybrid structure formation by controlled photopolymerization

Real-time FT-NIR spectroscopy was used to monitor the individual monomer photopolymerization kinetics within the hybrid methacrylate/vinyl ether system composed of 2-phenoxyethyl methacrylate and tri(ethylene glycol) methyl vinyl ether. Photopolymerization processing conditions, such as light intensity, photoinitiator type (both free radical and cationic) and initiator ratios and concentrations, that provide preferential direction of polymer formation based on individual monomer photopolymerization kinetics and overall conversion have been evaluated. Single source UV-light irradiation was employed to produce either single or dual-stage hybrid polymerization, validating the potential of one-step, one-pot methodology for initiating stage-curable polymerizations.