Spatially resolved studies on the photopolymerization of dimethacrylate monomers

The photopolymerization of four dimethacrylate monomers under different irradiating conditions was followed in situ by 1H stray-field magnetic resonance imaging (1H STRAFI-MRI). This technique is capable of discriminating local changes at a spatial resolution of tens of micron and is suitable for studying larger samples than infrared spectroscopy and photocalorimetry. The evolution of proton magnetization with irradiation time and intensity was recorded and correlated with volumetric polymerization shrinkage, extent of reaction and spatially resolved reaction rates.