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Effect of Macromolecular Structure on Phase Separation Regime in 3D Printed Materials
Yuan Xiu1,2, Valentin A Bobrin1,2, Nathaniel Corrigan1,2
1Cluster for Advanced Macromolecular Design, School of Chemical Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|June 8, 2023
Summary
Controlling the Z-group of macromolecular chain transfer agents (macroCTAs) in polymerization induced microphase separation (PIMS) 3D printing alters material nanostructure. Different Z-groups influence 3D printing and final material properties.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Polymerization induced microphase separation (PIMS) is key for nanostructured 3D printed materials.
- Previous PIMS research focused on trithiocarbonate chain transfer agent (CTA) end groups, leaving other Z-groups unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various chain transfer agent (CTA) Z-groups in macromolecular chain transfer agents (macroCTAs) on PIMS 3D printing.
- To understand how different Z-groups influence material nanostructure, 3D printing behavior, and final properties.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of 3D printed polymer materials using photoinduced 3D printing and PIMS.
- Utilizing macroCTAs with four distinct Z-groups (O-alkyl xanthate, N-alkyl-N-aryl dithiocarbamate, S-alkyl trithiocarbonate, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylpyrazo dithiocarbamate).
- Analyzing the resulting material morphology, transparency, and mechanical properties.
Main Results:
- Different Z-groups led to varied network formation and phase separation behaviors.
- Less reactive Z-groups (O-alkyl xanthate, dithiocarbamate) resulted in translucent, brittle materials with macrophase separation.
- More reactive Z-groups (trithiocarbonate, pyrazo dithiocarbamate) yielded transparent, rigid materials with nanoscale morphology.
Conclusions:
- The choice of CTA Z-group is a critical factor in controlling nanostructure and properties of 3D printed PIMS materials.
- This study offers a new method to tailor material characteristics for advanced applications in materials science and engineering.
