Synthesis of new photoactive urethane carbohydrates and their behavior in UV or femtosecond laser-induced two-photon polymerization

AbstractThree methacrylated glycomonomers (CMA-1–3) were synthesized, characterized, and photocrosslinked in hydrophilic conetworks. The UV photobehavior of monomers was evaluated through FTIR spectrometry using Irgacure 819/Irgacure 2959 as photoinitiator, and the results showed that Irgacure 2959 is a better photoinitiator, the conversion degree (DC) varying in the range of 69–89.2% and the maximum rate of polymerization () being ~10 s−1. The addition of poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG-DMA) or benzophenone macromer (BP-UDMA) as co-monomer improved the and DC (up to 100% after 300 s of irradiation in the latter). Specific analysis (gel fraction, water uptake, morphology) of the photopolymerized networks A1–A3 (CMA-1–3/PEG-DMA) and B1–B3 (CMA-1–3/BP-UDMA) demonstrated that B1–B3 films have interconnected inner pores, with irregular shapes and different sizes. The grid structures created through the two-photon polymerization of B1–B3 formulations in the presence of Irg819 are clearer and have a c...