Naphthopyrans as efficient dual color photoinitiators for volumetric 3D printing

By combining photochromic naphthopyran with a Norrish-type II benzophenone photoinitiator, a new photoswitchable photoinitiator was created that is activated by the successive absorption of two different wavelengths. This dual-colour photoinitiator was used to prepare various thin solid polymeric materials using UV and visible light LED to promote the formation of radicals that initiate polymerization of an acrylate monomer. The use of this system ensures that only the areas that receive double irradiation polymerize, providing a simple way to control polymerization using only light.

Automated summary

A new photoswitchable photoinitiator was developed by combining photochromic naphthopyran with a Norrish-type II benzophenone photoinitiator, which can be activated by absorbing two different wavelengths of light successively. This dual-colour photoinitiator was employed in the preparation of various thin solid polymeric materials using UV and visible light LED to initiate the polymerization of an acrylate monomer. The use of this system enables precise control of polymerization by selectively polymerizing only the areas that receive double irradiation.