Chemistry and Technology of Upconversion Material-Assisted Near-Infrared Photopolymerization: An Emerging Strategy...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Optics

Background:

• Upconversion materials (UCm) convert near-infrared (NIR) light to UV-vis light.
• This enables photopolymerization initiation using NIR light, a process termed upconversion-assisted photopolymerization (UCAP).
• UCAP offers advantages over traditional UV-initiated polymerization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms and current state of UCAP research.
• To emphasize the design of efficient photoinitiation systems for UCAP.
• To analyze factors influencing UCAP efficiency and explore its potential applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of stepwise multiphoton absorption mechanisms in UCm.
• Analysis of UCAP composition and photoinitiation systems.
• Systematic evaluation of factors affecting UCAP efficiency.

Main Results:

• UCAP is applicable across free-radical, cationic, and reversible-deactivation free-radical polymerization.
• Key factors influencing UCAP efficiency include UC material design, photoinitiator properties, laser power, and formulation parameters.
• UCAP demonstrates significant potential in advanced coatings, additive manufacturing, and biomedical engineering.

Conclusions:

• UCAP is a developing technology with broad application potential.
• Further research is needed to overcome challenges and optimize UCAP systems.
• UCAP provides a transformative approach for next-generation functional material fabrication.