Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Synthesis of Soft Polysiloxane-urea Elastomers for Intraocular Lens Application
Published on: March 8, 2019
Mechanism of the photoinduced refractive index increase in polymethyl methacrylate
Abstract:
Polymethyl methacrylate prepared under special circumstances exhibits a substantial increase in refractive index after irradiation with uv light. The essential step in the preparation is peroxidation of the monomer prior to polymerization. This increase in refractive index results from a photoinduced polymerization of unreacted monomer (1-2%) within the film which produces an increase in density (and hence refractive index) in the irradiated region. It is believed that peroxides, both polymeric and monomeric, act as photoinitiators. Sensitivity depends on the concentration of photoinitiator, but the absolute value of Deltan depends on the amount of unreacte monomer.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...

