Photoinitiators work by absorbing light energy, usually in the ultraviolet (UV) or visible spectrum, and undergoing a chemical change that produces reactive intermediates. These intermediates, such as free radicals or cations, initiate the polymerization of monomers into polymers. The process can be broken down into two main steps:
1. Absorption of Light: The photoinitiator absorbs photons and reaches an excited state. 2. Generation of Reactive Species: The excited photoinitiator undergoes chemical changes to produce reactive species that can initiate the polymerization process.
