Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators are chemical compounds used to generate reaction intermediates after the absorption of light. In the presence of specific small molecules (liquid monomers) these intermediates are responsible for the production of solids from liquids, (i.e. polymerization).

• Type I photoinitiators produce reactive intermediates directly after light absorption
• Type II photoinitiators require a second compound, a so-called co-initiator, to produce such intermediates

H-Nu photoinitiators are capable of curing (hardening) resins of two general kinds:

• Acrylates and methacrylates, cured by free-radical processes
• Epoxides, cured by cationic processes

Spectra Photopolymers offers a patented line of unique Type II UV/visible light photoinitiators, covering the panchromatic UVA, visible and IR spectrum (H-Nu 470, H-Nu 640MP).

Photoinitiators Spectrum

• Acrylate and methacrylate polymerization (free-radical) initiated by H-Nu 470 and H-Nu 640MP photoinitiators generally requires co-initiators such as amine or Borate V as well as iodonium salts.
• Epoxides (cationic) polymerization generally is carried out in combination with iodonium salt co-initiators (H-Nu 470 and cationic photoiniators). Further improvement in polymerization efficiency is possible by the use of proprietary accelerators.
  H-Nu 470 cationic photoinitiators have proved to work exceptionally well with SU-8 photoresins, making possible visible light lithography.

Benefits of the visible light H-Nu photoinitiator series in photopolymerization processes

• High Absorptivity – low concentrations needed
• Speed of Cure – moderate to fast (depending on formulation)
• Better light utilization and reduced levels of UV photoinitiators normally required – by adding H-Nu photoinitiators to an existing UV formulation
• H-Nu photoinitiators can provide a thick cured coating after one pass – saving time and energy
• Capable of significant depth of cure – > 1 inch or more
• Enhanced adhesion/depth of cure of pigmented formulations
• Cure through UV opaque, pigmented, colored substrates (i.e. red plastic).
• Photoinitiator bleaching – pale or no residual color
• Bleaching/Color change indicator of cure (exposure) with visible light (UV)

H-Nu Liquid Blend Photoinitiators

• Liquid Blend Photoinitiators are easy to incorporate liquids, minimizing downtime from solubility issues.
• Liquid blends targeted to match and optimize surface cure with UVA LED light sources (H-Nu 470LT5 )
• H-Nu photoinitiators liquid blends to provide for ease of addition and incorporation as well as the curing range extension to cover UV/visible range (H-Nu 400IL , H-Nu 470IL, H-Nu 470LT5 )
• Miscible with most aqueous acrylate systems and hydrogels (H-Nu 405IL) 
• Improved efficiency of UV and visible light cure (photosensitization) of iodonium salts to cure epoxides (e.g. Cycloaliphatic, Bisphenol A, Novolacs, and others) through the use of proprietary liquid blends and accelerators (H-Nu C390 and H-Nu C390HI )
• Antimony-free (H-Nu 390) and both antimony- and benzene-free (H-Nu 390HI) liquid blend cationic photoinitiators

SDS sheets for all H-Nu photoinitiators can be provided upon e-mail request.

At Spectra Photopolymers, we are pleased to offer photoinitiator samples as testing kits, to include all necessary co-initiators and co-solvents. The purpose of providing a kit is that you can quickly test your concept to see if our materials may be working for you. To request one of our photoinitiator kits, email us or give us a call

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