Work

Bubble-Free Frontal Polymerization of Acrylates via Redox-Initiated Free Radical Polymerization

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Thermal frontal polymerization (FP) of acrylate monomers mixed with conventional peroxide initiators leads to significant bubble formation at the polymerizing front, limiting their practical applications. Redox initiators present a promising alternative to peroxide initiators, as they prevent the formation of gaseous byproducts during initiator decomposition and lower the front temperature, thereby enabling bubble-free FP. In this study, we investigate the FP of acrylate monomers of varying functionalities, including methyl methacrylate (MMA), 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA), and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), using N,N-dimethylaniline/benzoyl peroxide (DMA/BPO) redox couple at room temperature and compare their front behavior, pot life, and bubble formation with those of same resin systems mixed with a conventional peroxide initiator, Luperox 231. The use of redox couples in FP of acrylates shows promise for rapid, energy-efficient manufacturing of polyacrylates and can enable new applications such as 3D printing and composite manufacturing.

Source: Polymers

DOI: 10.3390/polym16192830

Authors: Morteza Ziaee, Mostafa Yourdkhani

Institutions: Colorado State University, Arizona State University

Language: English

Topic: Photopolymerization techniques and applications

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,069

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency