Metallocporphyrin Triplet-Triplet Annihilation Upconversion Photopolymerization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for photopolymerization, such as those using high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light or sophisticated molecules for near-infrared two-photon excitation, are costly and inefficient for producing polymer products, particularly for micron-scale objects like photonic crystals and microfluidic devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion (TTA) based on metalloporphyrin complexes like ZnTPP and PdOEP, which undergo homomolecular or heteromolecular triplet-triplet annihilation to initiate polymerization with visible light, reducing the energy and cost requirements for polymerization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If high-energy ultraviolet (UV) light is used for photopolymerization, then polymerization can be achieved, but the cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a photosensitizer as an intermediary substance that absorbs low-energy visible light and transfers energy to the monomer, enabling polymerization without requiring high-energy UV light. The photosensitizer acts as a mediator between the light source and the polymerization reaction, converting available visible light into effective polymerization energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy parameter of the light source from high-energy UV to low-energy visible light by introducing a photosensitizer system. This parameter change allows the use of cheaper, more abundant visible light sources instead of expensive UV sources, while maintaining polymerization effectiveness through the sensitizer's energy transfer capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated molecules are used for near-infrared two-photon excitation, then micron-scale objects can be produced, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a photosensitizer as an intermediary that enables near-infrared light to effectively initiate polymerization. This photosensitizer-based approach allows the use of inexpensive near-infrared light sources instead of costly sophisticated two-photon excitation systems, while still achieving the required precision for micron-scale object production.
3Productivity
If traditional photopolymerization methods are used, then polymer products can be synthesized, but the process is costly and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a photosensitizer as a mediating substance that significantly improves polymerization efficiency. The photosensitizer enables the use of abundant, low-cost visible or near-infrared light sources, eliminating the need for expensive UV sources and sophisticated two-photon systems, thereby dramatically improving productivity while reducing manufacturing costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of well-defined polymers and macroscopic objects using low-power visible light, lowering the costs associated with micro- and nano-fabrication and allowing for the creation of larger structures with reduced energy input, making the process more economically viable and versatile.
Implementation Method 1
The polymerization initiator has an absorption band and exhibits triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion
Implementation Method 2
free radical, cationic, step-growth, and increasingly emerging controlled/living radical polymerizations enabled by photoinduced electron transfer reactions
Implementation Method 3
the polymerization initiator having an absorption band
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are methods of forming (co)polymers from polymerizable compositions, the methods comprising irradiating the polymerizable compositions with light, wherein the polymerizable compositions comprise a polymerization initiator having an absorption band and exhibiting triplet-triplet annihilation up-conversion and a monomer. Also disclosed herein are methods of additive manufacturing using the methods of forming (co)polymers described herein.