In UV curable products, photoinitiator is one of the key components, which can absorb radiation energy and produce a reactive intermediate (free radical or cation) with the ability to initiate polymerization after process of chemistry.

In actual production, most of photoinitiators are free radicals photoinitiators, and cationic photoinitiators are few. Here focus on free radical photoinitiators.

Classification of photoinitiators

Free radical photoinitiators are divided into two categories according to the mechanism:cleavage free radical photoinitiators, also called type I photoinitiators; and hydrogen abstraction free radical photoinitiators, known as type II photoinitiator.

Commonly used cleavage photoinitiators are mostly aryl alkyl ketone compounds structurally.

Hydrogen abstraction photoinitiators are benzophenone or heterocyclic aromatic ketone compounds. In addition, hydrogen abstraction photoinitiators need to be used in conjunction with co-initiators, such as active amines and tertiary amine benzoates.

Choice of photoinitiator

Whether the photoinitiator can effectively initiate the polymerization reaction in the UV curable product and finally achieve the required performance depends on the coordination of the photoinitiator system, irradiation conditions and product components. Therefore, it is particularly important to select the corresponding photoinitiator according to its own production process and product formulation.

1. The absorption spectrum of the photoinitiator matches the emission spectrum of the light source

Light sources are mercury lamps, LED lamps, induction lamps, metal halide lamps, etc. Among them, mercury lamps are the most widely used, with emission spectrum of 200-450nm; LED lamps are widely used in low-energy curing projects, with emission wavelengths concentrated in 365/375/385/395/405nm. UV-LED light source is a curing equipment that has developed rapidly in recent years. It is popular because of its energy saving, environmental protection, and no damage to the substrate. Therefore, more and more attention is paid to the selection and use of photoinitiators in UV-LED curing. Therefore we should choose an initiator with greater absorption of the spectrum according to the emission spectrum of the light source.

2. Selection of deep curing photoinitiators for colored systems

In colored systems, especially dark systems, the pigment itself absorbs part of the ultraviolet light energy, causing the ultraviolet light can’t penetrate the paint film. And the deep photoinitiator cannot absorb enough energy to initiate polymerization, which ultimately results in poor deep curing. That means poor adhesion or even surface wrinkling, affecting the appearance and physical and chemical properties of the paint film.

In ultraviolet light, the longer the wavelength, the stronger the penetration, and more easily to reach the deep layer of the paint film, while the short wave cannot. As a result, if there is no long-wave photoinitiator in the deep layer of the paint film to absorb the energy, it is difficult to initiate polymerization. Therefore, in colored systems, deep-layer photoinitiators are essential.

3. Selection of photoinitiators with requirements of yellowing

In some varnishes and white systems, yellowing resistance is an important indicator. In addition to choosing resins and monomers with good yellowing resistance, the yellowing of photoinitiators should also be avoided as much as possible. If there are substituents such as N-dimethylamino in the conjugated structure of the photoinitiator, the yellowing tendency is generally higher. Also the presence of such substituents in the active amine structure will also lead to aggravated yellowing.

4. Good solubility in reactive diluents and oligomers

Good solubility is an important prerequisite for adding photoinitiator to the system. The better the compatibility, the more stable the system formulation. In recent years, more and more water-based coatings have been used, and water-based UV has also received much attention. At present, there are only a handful of products with greater solubility in water on the market.

5. Other properties

When considering a photoinitiator, we should choose those with low odor, low toxicity, good thermal stability, and not easy to volatile and migrate, as well as compliance with local laws and regulations.

To find more photoinitiator products, you can refer to

 https://www.okchem.com/product/search?keyword=photoinitiator

OKCHEM Distribution Project of Photoinitiator

Our strategic partner factory of photoinitiator is Shenzhen Youwei Technology Holding Co., Ltd. The factory is a high-tech specialty chemicals company committed to innovations in UV-LED as well as waterborne photo-initiator materials. The company now has more than 80 national invention patents, and also international PCT invention patents, including patents accessing to the United States (US) and the European Union(EP). Our products, brand-named as APi-photo-initiators has been widely used in energy saving and environmental protection UV-LED coating, 3D printing, automotive UV-LED coating, optical fiber materials, LCD panel display, food packaging materials, optical storage, water-based led home paint and other cutting-edge professional fields.

If you want to join us to be the partner for Shenzhen Youwei for its photoinitiator product, please contact us at info@okchem.com, or click here make the application online directly.