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Biomass-derived carbon nanodots as photoinitiators in polymerisation processes
An international research team has developed protocols for the preparation and application of biomass-derived carbon nanodots (CDs) capable of initiating both conventional radical photopolymerisation and photoinduced ATRP processes. The materials offer advantages in terms of toxicity and migration compared with conventional photoinitiators.
Researchers from China, Germany and the USA present in Nature Protocols two novel approaches using biomass-derived carbon nanodots (CDs) as light-sensitive components in polymerisation processes. The protocols cover both single-component systems (Type I photoinitiators) and multi-component systems (Type II), which can be applied in conventional radical photopolymerisation as well as in photoinduced atom transfer radical polymerisation (photo-ATRP).
A major benefit of CDs is their low cytotoxicity and the reduction of migration issues commonly associated with molecular photoinitiators. The researchers utilise bio-based feedstocks: furfural is used to synthesise a Type I CD initiator, while sodium alginate-derived CDs can both initiate radical polymerisation and activate alkyl halides in photo-ATRP processes.
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Preparation, application and analysis
The protocols include the synthesis and characterisation of biomass-derived CDs, the execution of photochemical reactions, and the analysis of the resulting polymers. Techniques such as real-time FTIR, photo-DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis and gel permeation chromatography are employed. Preparing and characterising the CDs takes around four days, photochemical reactions can be completed within about one hour, and product processing requires an additional 30 minutes.
This work provides a practical guideline for professionals working on the development of more sustainable photopolymerisation techniques.
Source: Luo, X. et al., Biomass-derived carbon dots for the initiation of conventional radical and ATRP-based photopolymerisation processes. Nat. Protoc. (2025).
