High throughput kinetic analysis of photopolymer conversion using composition and exposure time gradients

In this work, monomer composition and exposure time gradients were produced, allowing for rapid, parallel measurements of conversion as a function of composition and exposure time using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. A more comprehensive understanding of how composition affects photopolymerization kinetics is needed due to the complexity of current industrial formulations. In nearly all cases, these applications use multiple monomers, fillers, initiators, and other components to achieve the required properties. The developed technique allows for photopolymerization kinetics to be analyzed rapidly over a large range of compositions, giving a unique insight into the role composition contributes to polymerization kinetics and ultimate conversion within complex formulations. This work analyzed three varied two-component systems, each showing different effects from composition on polymerization kinetics due to formulation changes in functionality, viscosity, and reactivity.