title: Europium-doped aluminum oxide phosphors as indicators for frontal polymerization dynamics.
abstract: In this study, we present an inexpensive and practical method that allows the monitoring and visualization of front polymerization, propagation, and dynamics. Commercially available europium-doped aluminum oxide powders were combined with video imaging to visualize free-radical propagating polymer fronts. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this method, frontal copolymerization reactions of propoxylated glycerin triacrylate (EB53), pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA), and pentaerythritol tetra-acrylate (PETEA) with 1,1-Bis(tert-butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (Luperox 231®) as an initiator were studied and compared to the results obtained by IR imaging. Systems exhibiting higher filler loading, higher EB53 content, and less acrylated monomers showed a marked decrease in front velocity, while those with more acrylated monomers and higher crosslinking density showed a marked increase in front velocity. Finally, in order to show the potential of the imaging technique, we studied fronts propagating in planar and spherical geometries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1804, USA.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carranza
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1804, USA.
authors.forename: Mariah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gewin
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-1804, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pojman