Performance analysis of the solidification of acrylic esters photo-initiated by systematically modified ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract Photo-induced polymerization by nanomaterials and their analyses are challenging topics with combines multiple fields of research. The first one, the preparation/characterization of surface modified ZnO nanoparticles is by far the most obvious one. Photosensitive semiconductors can lead to a replacement of migrating initiators by non-migrating nanoscaled photo-initiators (NanoPI) for radical polymerization. The class of NanoPI is especially promising to be applicable in printing/coating applications to result in organic inorganic hybrid materials and to reduce health risks by reducing/preventing contamination of the surroundings by gas-phase transfer, by diffusion of reacted/remaining compounds (migration) and so on. The polymer related area of the research (analysis of the kinetic) is the main part of the discussion within this contribution. The reactivity of the particles to initiate free-radical polymerization of bulk printable resin mixtures (the performance of the curing) is proven for LED@365 nm and simulated LED illumination. Finally, the novel kinetic analysis method, the transmission UV-vis solidification is explained in detail within the present manuscript.