Interpenetrating polymer networks. I. Photopolymerization of multiacrylate systems

Abstract

AbstractThe light‐induced polymerization of a triacrylate monomer (TMPTA) has been carried out in a polymer matrix to generate a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). The reaction kinetics was followed by IR spectroscopy for the various polymer binders studied: poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, and crosslinked polyurethane. Under intense illumination, crosslinking occurred extensively within a fraction of a second, with formation of a hard and highly resistant polymer material. These semi‐IPNs were found to be essentially insoluble in the organic solvents, thus indicating that the acrylate network is grafted onto the polymer matrix, probably because of an efficient chain transfer process. The monomer and photoinitiator concentration, as well as the light intensity were shown to have a great influence on both the rate of polymerization and the final degree of conversion. By using an acylphosphine oxide photoinitiator, PVC–;TMPTA blends have been cured within a few minutes in an accelerated QUV‐A weatherometer, which emits low‐intensity UV radiation similar to sunlight. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.