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James A. Crivello is considered
a pioneer for his breakthrough work using photoacid generators
such as diphenyliodonium and triphenylsulfonium salts for
curing adhesives. Polymerizations that are induced by irradiation
with light are of intense interest from an academic and an
industrial perspective. These polymerizations are finding
widespread use in such diverse applications as printing-inks,
adhesives, decorative and protective coatings, photolithography,
holographic recording, and in various imaging processes.
“Photopolymerizations are replacing older industrial
processes in some applications, because they are environmentally
attractive and use a fraction of the energy of current thermally
induced processes,” Crivello said. “The addition
of an onium salt photoinitiator to epoxy oils gives a photopolymerizable
mixture that can be employed for a multitude of practical
purposes. For example, we have used epoxidized linseed oil
for the construction of functional roofing and wall panels,
[as well as in] piping and coatings for wood and plastics.”
Based
on the fundamental discovery of photoactive onium salt photoinitiators
made by Crivello, an entire new, exciting field of photopolymerization
chemistry – photoinitiated cationic polymerizations –
has been opened and is enjoying very rapid growth. This is
due to the versatility, excellent properties, and economics
that are displayed by these polymerizations. Crivello is focusing
his research on the three major factors that are important
to photoinitiated polymerizations: 1) the design and synthesis
of novel cationic photoinitiators; 2) spectral sensitization
of the photoinitiators in the long wavelength region of the
spectrum; and 3) the design and synthesis of novel photopolymerizable
monomers.
Currently, Crivello is investigating the use of three different
types of onium salt photoinitiators – diaryliodonium,
triarylsulfonium, and dialkylphenacylsulfonium salts.
 James
Crivello
Professor, Department of Chemistry
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180-3590
(518) 276-6825
crivej@rpi.edu
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