3D printing by stereolithography using thermal initiators.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Stereolithography 3D printing typically uses photoinitiators activated by UV-visible light.
• Water-soluble photoinitiators are scarce and expensive, limiting applications like printing in water.
• Thermal initiators are cost-effective but difficult to localize for 3D printing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel 3D printing approach using thermal initiators without conventional photoinitiators.
• To enable localized polymerization in aqueous and non-aqueous mediums for 3D printing.
• To overcome the limitations of current stereolithography techniques.

Main Methods:

• Utilized gold nanorods or silver nanoparticles as photothermal converters.
• Employed near-infrared and visible light irradiation to activate thermal initiators.
• Demonstrated proof of concept using stereolithography-based 3D printers, vat photopolymerization, and two-photon printing.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated hydrogel and polymeric objects using the novel method.
• Achieved localized polymerization via photothermal conversion at low nanoparticle concentrations.
• Validated the use of thermal initiators in 3D printing for the first time.

Conclusions:

• This new method offers a cost-effective and versatile alternative for 3D printing, especially in aqueous environments.
• The use of photothermal converters with thermal initiators expands the possibilities for advanced material fabrication.
• This approach paves the way for wider applications of 3D printing in various fields.