PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Photopolymerization refers to a chemical process in which a polymer is formed by the reaction of monomers using light, typically ultraviolet (UV) radiation, rather than traditional heat or chemical initiators. It involves the conversion of reactive monomers, also known as oligomers, into a three-dimensional network structure through a series of photochemical reactions.
During photopolymerization, a photoinitiator, such as a photosensitizer or photoinitiating compound, is added to the monomers. When exposed to radiation of the appropriate wavelength, this photoinitiator absorbs the light energy and undergoes a photochemical reaction, resulting in the generation of reactive species called free radicals or cations.
These free radicals or cations then initiate the polymerization reaction by attacking the double bonds present in the monomers. As a result, the monomers undergo a crosslinking reaction, where the individual monomer units join together to form long chains, eventually leading to the formation of a polymer network.
Photopolymerization offers several advantages over traditional forms of polymerization, including faster reaction times, spatial control over polymerization, and the ability to create intricate patterns and structures. It is widely used in various industries, including printing, coatings, adhesives, and electronics, where rapid curing and high-performance materials are required.
Overall, photopolymerization is a specialized process that utilizes light to initiate and accelerate the formation of polymer networks from reactive monomers, offering advantages in terms of speed, versatility, and precision compared to conventional polymerization methods.
Common Misspellings for PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION
- ohotopolymerization
- lhotopolymerization
- 0hotopolymerization
- pgotopolymerization
- pbotopolymerization
- pnotopolymerization
- pjotopolymerization
- puotopolymerization
- pyotopolymerization
- phitopolymerization
- phktopolymerization
- phltopolymerization
- phptopolymerization
- ph0topolymerization
- ph9topolymerization
- phoropolymerization
- phofopolymerization
- phogopolymerization
- phoyopolymerization
- pho6opolymerization
Etymology of PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION
The word "photopolymerization" is composed of two main elements: "photo-" and "polymerization".
1. "Photo-" is derived from the Greek word "phōs", meaning "light" or "bright". It is commonly used as a prefix to indicate a connection or involvement with light, as seen in related terms like "photograph" (light drawing), "photosynthesis" (light synthesis), and "photosensitive" (light-sensitive).
2. "Polymerization" consists of two parts: "poly-" and "-merization".
- "Poly-" comes from the Greek word "polus", meaning "many" or "much". This prefix denotes the concept of multiple or many.
- "-merization" is a suffix that indicates a process of combining or forming a specific substance.
