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Journal ArticleDOI

Photopolymerization in 3D Printing

20 Feb 2019-Vol. 1, Iss: 4, pp 593-611
TL;DR: The field of 3D printing is continuing its rapid development in both academic and industrial research environments as mentioned in this paper, which offers flexibility over the final properties of the 3D printed materials (such as optical, chemical and mechanical properties) using versatile polymer chemistry.
Abstract: The field of 3D printing is continuing its rapid development in both academic and industrial research environments. The development of 3D printing technologies has opened new implementations in rapid prototyping, tooling, dentistry, microfluidics, biomedical devices, tissue engineering, drug delivery, etc. Among different 3D printing techniques, photopolymerization-based process (such as stereolithography and digital light processing) offers flexibility over the final properties of the 3D printed materials (such as optical, chemical, and mechanical properties) using versatile polymer chemistry. The strategy behind the 3D photopolymerization is based on using monomers/oligomers in liquid state (in the presence of photoinitiators) that can be photopolymerized (via radical or cationic mechanism) upon exposure to light source of different wavelengths (depending on the photoinitiator system). An overview of recent evolutions in the field of photopolymerization-based 3D printing and highlights of novel 3D print...
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of available peer-reviewed literature in which graphene and/or its derivatives are incorporated into a polymer matrix in order to enhance the final properties and functionalities of the 3D printed structure is presented.
Abstract: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of available peer-reviewed literature in which graphene and/or its derivatives are incorporated into a polymer matrix in order to enhance the final properties and functionalities of the three dimensional (3D) printed structure. Research in which graphene derivatives have been incorporated into plastic 3D printing technologies such as Fused deposition modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective laser sintering, Inkjet 3D printing, Extrusion-based printing and Binder-jet printing is presented. For certain design requirements and applicability of the material, great care needs to be taken to select the appropriate printing method. Factors which play a key role in final performance of the printed parts are identified, including dispersion of graphene or its derivatives in matrix, interfacial interaction between graphene or its derivatives and matrix, printing orientation, nanofiller's aspect ratio, reduction of graphene oxide and ink viscosity. In fact, the multifunctional applications of the 3D printed structures based on graphene or graphitic filler composites open up the countless possibilities of current research. Although great progress has been made in exploring the mechanical, electrical, optical and thermal, characteristics of these materials, significant research and development need to be done to fully fetch their inherent potential. This article serves the purpose to researchers to improve latest research outcomes and explore new graphene–based nanocomposites for different applications.

78 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an overview of the 3D printing of polymer matrix composites through photopolymerization processes is presented, as well as their applications in biomedical science, electronic industry, materials for adsorption, and 4D printing.
Abstract: Radical initiation upon LED light irradiation is discussed herein as well as its application in additive manufacturing. The ability of manufacturing complex structures, freedom of design, low energy consumption, fast prototyping, and excellent spatial resolution are the main benefits of the 3D printing technology by photopolymerization. Therefore, the 3D printing of composites through photopolymerization processes is developing rapidly in the academia and industry, and has been a turning point of additive manufacturing (AM). In the present review, an overview of radical initiation with LEDs (i.e., the photopolymerization LED technology, the photoinitiating systems, and the polymerizable media) and of the main 3D printing methods by photopolymerization, materials, and their applications in different fields has been carried out. As a challenging topic, the issue of light penetration in a filled matrix for the access to composites is discussed, including the light transmittance of the composite, the mismatch of the refractive index between the filler and the monomer, the factors of the filler, and the adverse influence of low light penetration on the 3D printing process. In particular, the popular applications of 3D printing by photopolymerization in biomedical science, electronic industry, materials for adsorption, and 4D printing are discussed. Overall, this review gives an overview of the 3D printing of polymer matrix composites through photopolymerization processes as a benchmark for future research and development.

78 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The synthesis and application of biobased resin components, such as photocurable monomers and oligomers, as well as reinforcing agents derived from natural resources will promote the accurate and waste-free production of a new generation of 3D materials for a sustainable plastics economy in the near future.
Abstract: The global market for 3D printing materials has grown exponentially in the last decade. Today, photopolymers claim almost half of the material sales worldwide. The lack of sustainable resins, applicable in vat photopolymerization that can compete with commercial materials, however, limits the widespread adoption of this technology. The development of "green" alternatives is of great importance in order to reduce the environmental impact of additive manufacturing. This paper reviews the recent evolutions in the field of sustainable photopolymers for 3D printing. It highlights the synthesis and application of biobased resin components, such as photocurable monomers and oligomers, as well as reinforcing agents derived from natural resources. In addition, the design of biologically degradable and recyclable thermoset products in vat photopolymerization is discussed. Together, those strategies will promote the accurate and waste-free production of a new generation of 3D materials for a sustainable plastics economy in the near future.

77 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of printing techniques and recent bio-functionalization of 3D-printed devices for biosensing applications is provided, pointing out the advantages, disadvantages and future opportunities of this technology for the determination of biologically active molecules readout by electrochemical and optical techniques.
Abstract: Additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) has begun to spread for prototyping at-point-of-use biosensing platforms since allows the custom and decentralized fabrication for on-demand low-cost devices and actuators. Although this research is still in an early stage, 3D printing of bioanalytical platforms can offer enormous potential in several fields, including electrochemical and optical devices; however, some pivotal aspects must be solved in order to achieve active and stable 3D-printed biosensing systems. Accordingly, an overview of printing techniques and recent bio-functionalization of 3D-printed devices for biosensing applications is provided, pointing out the advantages, disadvantages and future opportunities of this technology for the determination of biologically active molecules readout by electrochemical and optical techniques.

75 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a self-healing hydrogel with self-repair ability was fabricated using only commercially available materials and a commercial Digital Light Processing printer, which can be processed by DLP printing.
Abstract: Self-healing hydrogels may mimic the behavior of living tissues, which can autonomously repair minor damages, and therefore have a high potential for application in biomedicine. So far, such hydrogels have been processed only via extrusion-based additive manufacturing technology, limited in freedom of design and resolution. Herein, we present 3D-printed hydrogel with self-healing ability, fabricated using only commercially available materials and a commercial Digital Light Processing printer. These hydrogels are based on a semi-interpenetrated polymeric network, enabling self-repair of the printed objects. The autonomous restoration occurs rapidly, at room temperature, and without any external trigger. After rejoining, the samples can withstand deformation and recovered 72% of their initial strength after 12 hours. The proposed approach enables 3D printing of self-healing hydrogels objects with complex architecture, paving the way for future applications in diverse fields, ranging from soft robotics to energy storage. Self-healing hydrogels can mimic the damage repair behaviour of living tissues, but such hydrogels have only been processed via extrusion-based additive manufacturing technology. Here, the authors demonstrate a rapidly self-healing hydrogel which can be processed by DLP printing.

69 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The radical-mediated thiol-ene reaction has all the desirable features of a click reaction, being highly efficient, simple to execute with no side products and proceeding rapidly to high yield.
Abstract: Following Sharpless' visionary characterization of several idealized reactions as click reactions, the materials science and synthetic chemistry communities have pursued numerous routes toward the identification and implementation of these click reactions. Herein, we review the radical-mediated thiol-ene reaction as one such click reaction. This reaction has all the desirable features of a click reaction, being highly efficient, simple to execute with no side products and proceeding rapidly to high yield. Further, the thiol-ene reaction is most frequently photoinitiated, particularly for photopolymerizations resulting in highly uniform polymer networks, promoting unique capabilities related to spatial and temporal control of the click reaction. The reaction mechanism and its implementation in various synthetic methodologies, biofunctionalization, surface and polymer modification, and polymerization are all reviewed.

3,229 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The use of both synthetic and natural hydrogels as scaffolds for three-dimensional cell culture as well as synthetic hydrogel hybrids that incorporate sophisticated biochemical and mechanical cues as mimics of the native extracellular matrix are discussed.
Abstract: Methods for culturing mammalian cells ex vivo are increasingly needed to study cell and tissue physiology and to grow replacement tissue for regenerative medicine. Two-dimensional culture has been the paradigm for typical in vitro cell culture; however, it has been demonstrated that cells behave more natively when cultured in three-dimensional environments. Permissive, synthetic hydrogels and promoting, natural hydrogels have become popular as three-dimensional cell culture platforms; yet, both of these systems possess limitations. In this perspective, we discuss the use of both synthetic and natural hydrogels as scaffolds for three-dimensional cell culture as well as synthetic hydrogels that incorporate sophisticated biochemical and mechanical cues as mimics of the native extracellular matrix. Ultimately, advances in synthetic-biologic hydrogel hybrids are needed to provide robust platforms for investigating cell physiology and fabricating tissue outside of the organism.

2,298 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Polymers are by far the most utilized class of materials for AM and their design, additives, and processing parameters as they relate to enhancing build speed and improving accuracy, functionality, surface finish, stability, mechanical properties, and porosity are addressed.
Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) alias 3D printing translates computer-aided design (CAD) virtual 3D models into physical objects. By digital slicing of CAD, 3D scan, or tomography data, AM builds objects layer by layer without the need for molds or machining. AM enables decentralized fabrication of customized objects on demand by exploiting digital information storage and retrieval via the Internet. The ongoing transition from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing prompts new challenges for mechanical engineers and materials scientists alike. Because polymers are by far the most utilized class of materials for AM, this Review focuses on polymer processing and the development of polymers and advanced polymer systems specifically for AM. AM techniques covered include vat photopolymerization (stereolithography), powder bed fusion (SLS), material and binder jetting (inkjet and aerosol 3D printing), sheet lamination (LOM), extrusion (FDM, 3D dispensing, 3D fiber deposition, and 3D plotting), and 3D bioprinting....

2,136 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors give an overview on 3D printing techniques of polymer composite materials and the properties and performance of 3D printed composite parts as well as their potential applications in the fields of biomedical, electronics and aerospace engineering.
Abstract: The use of 3D printing for rapid tooling and manufacturing has promised to produce components with complex geometries according to computer designs. Due to the intrinsically limited mechanical properties and functionalities of printed pure polymer parts, there is a critical need to develop printable polymer composites with high performance. 3D printing offers many advantages in the fabrication of composites, including high precision, cost effective and customized geometry. This article gives an overview on 3D printing techniques of polymer composite materials and the properties and performance of 3D printed composite parts as well as their potential applications in the fields of biomedical, electronics and aerospace engineering. Common 3D printing techniques such as fused deposition modeling, selective laser sintering, inkjet 3D printing, stereolithography, and 3D plotting are introduced. The formation methodology and the performance of particle-, fiber- and nanomaterial-reinforced polymer composites are emphasized. Finally, important limitations are identified to motivate the future research of 3D printing.

2,132 citations