Cationic photopolymerization of bisphenol-A-based vinyl ether systems

2,2-Bis{4-[2-(vinyloxy)ethoxy]phenyl}propane (BPA) monomer was synthesized and its cationic photopolymerization with triethyleneglycol divinyl-ether (DVE3) investigated. Real-time FT-IR kinetic investigations showed, in the presence of DVE3 monomer an increase of the photopolymerization rate and of the final vinyl ether double bond conversion. All the formulations investigated gave rise to transparent films characterized by a high gel content (>94%). An increase of Tg values by increasing the BPA content was observed by DSC and DMTA analyses; it was attributed to the rigid bisphenol-A-units introduced within the polymeric network. DMTA analyses showed an increase of the modulus E′ by increasing BPA content. Surface hardness of the cured films was improved by BPA copolymerization.