Real-time FTIR-ATR spectroscopy of photopolymerization reactions

Real-time FTIR-ATR spectroscopy was used to study radical photo-polymerization reactions. Investigations on various acrylate systems deal with the effect of temperature on the kinetics of the polymerization reaction and the characterization of the depth profile of the conversion of double bonds. Moreover, first results on the photoinitiator-free photopolymerization of acrylates by exposure to short-wavelength UV radiation will be reported. The potential of the method will also be demonstrated in simulations of various irradiation regimes in technical UV curing processes.