Propagating Waves of Network Formation Induced by Light

Published

March 1, 2005

Author(s)

J Cabral, Jack F. Douglas

Abstract

The exposure of a photopolymerizable liquid to ultraviolet (UV) radiation leads to a propagating wavefront of network formation that invades the unpolymerized material from the illuminated surface of the photosensitive material. We theoretically describe this light-driven frontal photo-polymerization (FPP) process in terms an order parameter characterizing the extent of monomer-to-polymer conversion, the temporally and spatially evolving optical attenuation of the medium, and the height of the resulting solidified material. The non-trivial aspects of this frontal polymerization process derive from the coupling of the time spatially dependent optical attenuation and the growing non-uniform network. Since FPP fabrication of complex three-dimensional structures containing components having different material characteristics would greatly extend the practical utility of this method, we explore the influence of nanoparticle (silica, titania, and multi-wall carbon nanotube) additives on FPP front propagation.

Citation

Plasma Processes and Polymers

Volume

46

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

optical attenuation, photodarkening, photoinvariant polymerization, photopolymerization, polymerization front

Citation

Cabral, J. and Douglas, J. (2005), Propagating Waves of Network Formation Induced by Light, Plasma Processes and Polymers (Accessed April 25, 2024)