Easy Synthesis of a Multifunctional Macrophotoinitiator with Pendant Moieties of Benzoin Methyl Ether Derivative for Use as Active Surface-Modifier of Inorganic Fillers

A novel macromolecular photoinitiator (MPI) was synthesized from a copolymer of maleic anhydride and methyl methacrylate and subsequently functionalized with 3-hydroxy-2-methoxy-1,2-diphenylpropan-1-one moieties via a polymer-analogous acylation reaction. The structure and physicochemical properties of the MPI were characterized by IR, UV–Vis, NMR, DSC, and TGA analyses. TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully functionalized with the MPI, yielding materials with enhanced surface activity and photoinitiating efficiency. The MPI-modified TiO2 facilitated efficient UV-induced polymerization of methyl methacrylate, as confirmed by DLS and SEM analyses. Compared with unmodified fillers, the resulting composites exhibited improved dispersion, accelerated polymerization rates, and enhanced mechanical properties. This hybrid strategy offers a promising approach for the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites through the integration of surface-engineered inorganic fillers and photoreactive polymers.