SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING THE EFFICIENCY OF PHOTO-POLYMERIZATION

摘要

An improved system for energy transfer photopolymerization which optimizes the transfer efficiency of energy from a low energy light source to a higher energy donor and then to a polymerization initiator for the polymerization of a monomer material. The energy transfer efficiency is optimized by introducing stably miscible surface treated upconverting nanocrystal donors into a monomer matrix for near infrared to blue and ultraviolet upconversion and resonantly coupling the energy stored in the donor to the initiator via Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET).

主权项

1. A system for energy transfer photopolymerization, comprising:
at least one upconverting nanoparticle energy donor; at least one photo-initiating acceptor positioned at a preselected intramolecular distance with respect to the at least one donor, the at least one acceptor being structured and arranged to receive energy from the at least one donor; and means for linking the at least one donor to the at least one acceptor, the linking means being adapted to set and maintain the preselected intramolecular distance between the at least one donor and the at least one acceptor.