Synthesis of Multifunctional Epoxy Monomers and their Potential Application in the Production of Holographic Photopolymers

Polydimethylsiloxanes having four epoxide functionalities (Multi) were synthesized through hydrosilylation of polydimethylsiloxane-co-polymethylhydrogensiloxane with 4-vinyl-1-cyclohexene 1,2epoxide and were characterized using FT-IR, H-NMR, and Si-NMR spectroscopy. Diffraction efficiency studies on the use of Multi as a co-monomer for holographic photopolymerization of 1,3-bis[2-(3-{7oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptyl}-tetramethyldisiloxane, based on cationic ring opening polymerization, were undertaken; a fast response time (3 sec) was observed. The effects of the amount of photo-acid generator and chain length of Multi are described.