The efficiency of 2,2-Dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA) for the photopolymerization of methacrylate monomers in thick sections was assessed. DMPA is an efficient photoinitiator for thick sections (%2 mm) because a fast reaction and high conversions are obtained with concentrations as low as 0.25 wt % DMPA. The polymerization rate increased when the DMPA content increased from 0.125 wt % to 0.25 wt %. However, the conversion versus irradiation time profiles in resins containing 0.25 wt % or 0.5 wt % DMPA were similar. This is attributed to the screening effect caused by excessive levels of DMPA. In addition, the consumption of DMPA under UV irradiation was accompanied by the appearance of light absorbing photoproducts. Because the absorbing species nearest to the light source absorb part of it, the light fails to reach the deeper layers of the sample. The overall effect of light screening is a reduced photoinitiation rate and double bond conversion along the irradiation path. This effect was compensated by the use of irradiation sources of higher intensity; which increased the initiation rate by increasing the production of primary radicals. DMPA is colorless and it does not require the presence of amine as coinitiator. These properties make DMPA attractive as photoinitiator of dental composites.

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This work analyzes the differences in the final properties of two waterborne polyurethanes (WBPU) prepared with two macrodiols of different chemical structure, but similar molecular weight, as well as the variations caused by incorporating low percentages of microfibrillated cellulose nanocrystals. One of the polyurethanes was based on a synthetic but biodegradable precursor (polycaprolactone diol, PCL) and a second one based on a bio‐based macrodiol derived from castor oil (CO1). The bio‐based material presented higher mechanical properties at room temperature than the synthetic one, with the Young's modulus (MPa) ranging from 2.23 ± 0.09 to 84.88 ± 0.96 for the PCL and bio‐based WBPUs, respectively. Additionally, the PCL‐based WBPU showed to be more sensitive to the incorporation of cellulose than the bio‐based WBPU, and it also suffered changes during time due to delayed crystallization. The behavior of the two systems were compared and related to the different structure of the macrodiols that led to different interfacial interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 44207.

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Polymer/clay nanocomposites were prepared from dimethacrylate monomers, commonly used in dental restorative resins, and an organically modified silicate (montmorillonite). The photopolymerization process was hardly affected by the presence of the silicate filler, and thus 2 mm thick samples containing 3 wt% clay were extensively cured. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the montmorillonite platelets were either intercalated or exfoliated. Nevertheless, for all formulations, intermediate‐sized aggregates of about 1 µm were present and their fraction increased as the amount of filler increased. The presence of the clay was found to have no major effect on the flexural modulus and compressive yield strength of the nanocomposites. Moreover, the water uptake of nanocomposites containing 3 wt% clay was about 10–15% higher than that of unfilled monomers. Modification of the clay surface with alternative organic cations is certainly necessary in order to achieve an optimal dispersion of the clay in the polymer matrix. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry