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Chemiluminescence-Induced Free Radical-Promoted Cationic Polymerization.
Junzhe Zhu1,2,3, Ye Zhu1,2,3, Zhiquan Li1,2,3
1Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, China.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|February 27, 2020
Summary
Chemiluminescence (CL) offers a novel, energy-efficient light source for initiating cationic polymerization. This study demonstrates its use in free-radical-promoted polymerization of various monomers, enabling efficient network formation.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Photochemistry
- Organic Synthesis
Background:
- Chemiluminescence (CL) is emerging as a sustainable external light source for photoinduced reactions.
- Traditional photoinitiator systems often require continuous energy input and complex setups.
- CL offers advantages like eliminating continuous energy supply and simplifying light source requirements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe free-radical-promoted cationic polymerization initiated by chemiluminescence (CL).
- To investigate the use of CL as an external light source for initiating polymerization reactions.
- To demonstrate the applicability of CL-initiated polymerization for network formation.
Main Methods:
- Visible-light-induced generation of electron donor radicals from photoinitiators like bis-(4-methoxybenzoyl)diethyl germane (BAG), bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenyl phosphinate, and camphorquinone under CL irradiation.
- Electron transfer from generated radicals to diphenyl iodonium hexafluorophosphate (Ph₂I⁺PF₆⁻) to form initiating cations.
- Cationic polymerization of monomers such as cyclohexene oxide, n-butyl vinyl ether, and N-vinyl carbazole.
- Demonstration of network formation using a bifunctional monomer, tri(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether.
Main Results:
- Successful initiation of cationic polymerization of various monomers using CL irradiation.
- Demonstration of visible-light-induced radical generation and subsequent electron transfer for initiating polymerization.
- Effective network formation achieved using a bifunctional monomer under CL initiation.
- CL serves as an efficient, external light source for photoinduced cationic polymerization.
Conclusions:
- Chemiluminescence is a viable and advantageous external light source for initiating free-radical-promoted cationic polymerization.
- The described method enables efficient polymerization and network formation without continuous energy supply.
- This approach offers a simplified and sustainable alternative for photoinduced polymerization processes.
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