Photopolymerizable pullulan: Synthesis, self-assembly and inkjet printing

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• 3D Printing Technology

Background:

• Pullulan, a natural exopolysaccharide, has diverse applications.
• Functionalization of pullulan with photo-crosslinkable groups is explored for advanced material fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a photo-crosslinkable pullulan derivative for inkjet 3D printing.
• To characterize the self-assembly, structural, and mechanical properties of the modified pullulan and its 3D printed constructs.

Main Methods:

• Pullulan functionalization with methacrylic groups.
• Characterization using NMR, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, SAXS, and rheology.
• 3D printing of pullulan-based inks and mechanical testing (tensile strength).

Main Results:

• Methacrylic modification slightly altered pullulan's self-assembly in water, reducing viscosity while maintaining shear-thinning behavior.
• 3D printed films exhibited sub-micrometric phase-segregated domains, enhanced by cross-linking.
• Improved deformability and reduced tensile strength were observed in the printed materials.

Conclusions:

• Photo-crosslinkable pullulan derivatives are suitable for inkjet 3D printing.
• The modification and cross-linking process influence the microstructure and mechanical properties of the 3D printed materials.
• This approach offers potential for creating novel 3D printed materials with tailored properties.