photoinitiator
This term is a specialized technical noun used almost exclusively in polymer chemistry and materials science. It describes a specific catalyst that converts light energy into chemical energy to start a polymerization reaction, making it a cornerstone of 3D printing (stereolithography) and UV-curable coatings.
Because it is a technical term, it is typically used in formal scientific reports, patents, and academic journals. It lacks a casual or metaphorical equivalent, as its meaning is strictly tied to the chemical process of initiation via photons.
Meanings
A chemical compound that decomposes upon exposure to light, typically ultraviolet radiation, to produce reactive species such as free radicals or cations that trigger the polymerization of a monomer or oligomer.
The coating was cured rapidly after the addition of a high-efficiency photoinitiator.