A new photocrosslinkable polycaprolactone-based ink for three-dimensional inkjet printing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Science
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• 3D printing requires specialized inks with tunable properties.
• Photocrosslinkable polymers offer precise control over material curing and structure formation.
• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a versatile biomaterial with potential for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel photocrosslinkable polycaprolactone-based ink for 3D inkjet printing.
• To optimize printing parameters for improved structural integrity and material properties.
• To evaluate the biocompatibility of the developed ink for potential biomedical uses.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of photocrosslinkable Polycaprolactone dimethylacrylate (PCLDMA).
• Formulation of PCLDMA with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) for optimal ink viscosity.
• Investigation of printing performance under varying atmospheric conditions, initiator concentrations, and post-processing steps.
• Fabrication of 3D structures and assessment of their quality.
• Biocompatibility testing using cell assays.

Main Results:

• A stable, photocrosslinkable PCL-based ink suitable for 3D inkjet printing was successfully developed.
• Printing in a nitrogen atmosphere significantly improved curing, material properties, and structural quality.
• The developed ink demonstrated potential for fabricating 3D printed objects with good resolution.
• Initial cell tests indicated favorable biocompatibility of the ink.

Conclusions:

• The developed photocrosslinkable PCL-based ink is a promising material for 3D inkjet printing applications.
• Optimization of the printing environment, particularly using a nitrogen atmosphere, is crucial for achieving high-quality 3D structures.
• The ink's biocompatibility suggests its potential utility in biomedical fields, such as tissue engineering scaffolds.