Epoxide/Acrylate Hybrid Photopolymerizations: Synergy of the Dual Photoinitiator System

Photopolymerization uses light to form long chains of molecules. This method has been widely applied due to its energy savings, solvent-free systems, and ease of reaction control. Hybrid systems contain acrylates and epoxides, each reacting separately to form polyacrylate and polyepoxide chains in the presence of radical and cationic photoinitiators, respectively. In this research, using Raman spectroscopy, we examine how the interplay between the two photoinitiators affects the kinetics of radical and cationic photopolymerizations in the hybrid systems. Understanding this synergy enables mitigation of sensitivity to oxygen and water during the hybrid photopolymerizations.