Visible Light Induced Cationic Polymerization of Epoxides by Using Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The visible light induced cationic polymerization of epoxides can be achieved by means of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), which act as visible light photoinitiators via a radical‐induced cationic photopolymerization process. When MWCNTs are irradiated with longer wavelengths (above 400 nm), they generate carbon radicals, by means of hydrogen ion from the epoxy monomer; these radicals are oxidized in the presence of iodonium salt to a carbocation that is sufficiently reactive to start the cationic ring‐opening polymerization of an epoxy monomer. These mechanisms have been supported by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. Visible light induced cationic polymerization of epoxides can be achieved by means of multiwalled carbon nanotubes via a radical‐induced cationic photopolymerization of epoxy monomers. The mechanism has been supported by electron paramagnetic resonance analysis and the cross‐linked films have been fully characterized.