Triazine-Based Type-II Photoinitiating System for Free Radical Photopolymerization: Mechanism, Efficiency, and Modeling

Abstract

Isopropylthioxanthone, a versatile photoinitiator (PI) for free radical photopolymerization (FRP), is combined with a triazine derivative (Tz) in a Type-II photoinitiating system (PIS). Initiation ability of this system for acrylate photopolymerization is assessed using a diacrylate monomer. Involvement of a photoinduced electron transfer mechanism is demonstrated by time-resolved spectroscopic measurements. Further insights in this mechanism are obtained through the use of a photopolymerization kinetic model taking into account the main reaction steps from the absorption of photons to the formation of the polymer. Prediction ability of the model is also tested with different initial concentrations of PI and co-initiator, as well as a different Tz. This last experiment reveals the noticeable role of back electron transfer in the FRP mechanism of Type-II PIS. (Figure presented.).