Molecular Photochemistry and PhotoPolymerization

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Interaction and effects of inorganic materials on polymerisable/polymerised systems or synthesis of inorganic raw materials (photoinitiators, fillers, catalysts, etc.)

J. Lalevée*, M. Schmitt,
*Contact : michael.schmitt@uha.fr

The development of new photoinitiators for monomer polymerisation is of great importance for fundamental research as well as for industrial and consumer applications. Substance safety, sustainable synthesis and product recycling are becoming increasingly important. Organic photoinitiators contain chromophore groups based on aromatic groups and can be potentially harmful. One of the topics addressed in this sub-area is the study of the possibilities of using photosemiconductors (ZnO soluble in weak acids) as new photoinitiators. In addition, we synthesise and study these inorganic materials or others as fillers (opacity, pigments, …), catalytic materials (water treatment and recycling) or use similar materials (e.g., synthetic fibres (carbon or glass) or bio-based fibres (flax, etc.), graphene or titanium oxides, etc.) in combination with the organic matrix as a composite material. Complete system optimisation can improve the final performance properties for many applications, e.g. dental materials, surgical adhesives, functional and high-performance coatings, construction materials, composites, etc..