Persistent-Radical and Afterglow-Mediated Photopolymerisation: Dark Reaction, Temporal Control and Dimensional Fidelity

Photopolymerisation is usually qualified through the assumption that light defines reaction time. Persistent excited states, long-lived radicals and afterglow photocatalysts break that assumption by sustaining chemistry after illumination stops. Such persistence can reduce optical duty cycle or extend cure into shadowed regions, but it can also blur boundaries and invalidate exposure-based dimensional models. This review defines measurable dark-reaction windows, distinguishes afterglow emission from persistent reactive intermediates, and frames the evidence needed to link delayed chemistry to geometry.

ER-305 · Version 0.5.