fotoinitiatoreille

Fotoinitiatore is a German term that translates to photoinitiator in English. Photoinitiators are compounds that absorb light and initiate a chemical reaction. They are essential components in photopolymerization processes, where light is used to cure or harden liquid resins. When a photoinitiator absorbs photons, it undergoes a chemical transformation, generating reactive species such as free radicals or cations. These species then attack monomer molecules, starting a chain reaction that leads to the formation of a solid polymer.

The specific type of photoinitiator used depends on the wavelength of light available and the desired polymerization mechanism. Common applications for photoinitiators include UV curing of inks, coatings, adhesives, and in 3D printing technologies like stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). The efficiency of a photoinitiator is measured by its ability to generate reactive species upon light absorption, and its compatibility with the other components of the formulation. Photoinitiators are typically used in relatively small concentrations within the formulation.