Newbie looking for UV-curing help

Hi there,

I am currently carrying out the dissertation section of my Masters degree and need some help with polymer work. A lot of my Googling research keeps bringing me back here and there seems to be a lot of knowledgeable people here, so I was hoping to find someone who could help me...

Basically, for my research I have to encapsulate quantum dots in PMMA so I can test the photostability of the compounds (for use in luminescent solar concentators). The way I have been taught to make PMMA is with MMA, Lucite powder and AIBN initiator in an overnight water bath (60C) and then five hours dry curing at 80-120C. Unfortunately there are temperature issues with quantum dots so it has been suggested that UV curing is a possibility but I know nothing about this! Can anyone help?

I need to end up with a clear PMMA sample with as little discolouration as possible, as optical clarity and transmission are important. Any suggestions?

... i've used "Acrifix192" - its a MMA-glue, hardening to solid PMMA with UV (fast) or ambient light (within hours) ... no need of heating

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Viktor
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Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

Cheers for the reply VDX - are you just using the Acrifix by itself then or as an initiator? Please pardon any obvious ignorance as this isn't my field and I have just been thrust into it!

... i used it for testing as UV-curable paste for 3D-printing with a paste-dispenser (in contrary to a FFF-extruder)

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Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]

I'm looking to make bulk samples (60mm x 60mm x 3mm) so this may not be suitable. Thanks anyway