Mutual diffusion dynamics as matter transfer mechanism in inorganic nanoparticles dispersed photopolymer

Mutual diffusion dynamics as matter transfer mechanism is proposed to describe the nanoparticles distribution and the grating formation in inorganic nanoparticles dispersed photopolymer. The chemical potentials as driving forces of diffusions are characterized to deduce the theoretical model, and the corresponding dynamics processes are described by the mutual diffusion model with nonlocal response. By introducing the Stokes-Einstein relation, nanoparticles redistribution and grating formation are discussed under various conditions, including nanoparticles size, nanoparticles concentration, viscosity of polymer matrix, chain length of polymer, etc. The theoretical results indicate the best nanoparticles dispersion takes place at low viscosity of polymer resin, low recording intensity, and small nanoparticle size. In experiment, the temporal evolutions of diffraction efficiency are measured in SiO2 nanoparticle dispersed PQ-PMMA photopolymers. Experimental results with various nanoparticle concentrations and recording conditions finally provide several evidences for the predictions of the theoretical model.