Photopolymerization of Cationic Monomers and Acrylate/Divinylether Blends under Visible Light Using Pyrromethene Dyes

Abstract

New photoinitiating systems based on boron-dipyrromethene dye (bodipy)/iodonium salt and optionally tris­(trimethylsilyl)­silane are proposed for the polymerization of divinylether and epoxy monomers upon visible-light exposure. The presence of the silane increases the epoxide rate of polymerization and conversion. Using acrylate/vinyl ether blends, the synthesis of cross-linked polymer networks (possessing two <i>T</i>_g values: −11 and 111 °C) is also successfully achieved through concomitant cationic and radical polymerization pathways. The chemical mechanisms associated with these initiating systems are investigated by steady-state photolysis and ESR experiments