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Published on: July 10, 2013
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All-cellulose resin for 3D printing hydrogels via digital light processing (DLP)
Rute Silva1, Rafael C Rebelo1, Carlos T B Paula2
1University of Coimbra, CEMMPRE, ARISE, Department of Chemical Engineering, Rua Sílvio Lima-Polo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|February 23, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel, fully cellulosic resin for 3D printing hydrogels using digital light processing. This sustainable material offers good mechanical properties, high water absorption, and biocompatibility for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Sustainable Manufacturing
Background:
- 3D printing offers sustainable manufacturing benefits but is limited by fossil-based resins.
- Developing eco-friendly, high-performance resins is crucial for expanding 3D printing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a single-component, fully cellulosic, natural-based resin for 3D printing hydrogels.
- To evaluate the properties and potential applications of the cellulose-based hydrogels.
Main Methods:
- Cellulose was dissolved and modified into photopolymerizable derivatives using an alkali/urea system.
- Digital Light Processing (DLP) was employed to 3D print hydrogels from the cellulose resin.
- Mechanical properties, water absorption, stability, and cytocompatibility were assessed.
Main Results:
- The cellulose resin produced dimensionally stable 3D objects with good resolution and shape fidelity.
- Fast curing kinetics yielded hydrogels with compressive strength up to 135 kPa at low polymer concentrations (2.5-5 wt%).
- Printed hydrogels exhibited high water absorption (up to 427%), shape stability in varying pH, hydrolytic resistance, and fibroblast cytocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- A novel, fully cellulosic resin enables sustainable 3D printing of functional hydrogels.
- The developed hydrogels demonstrate promising properties for biomedical applications due to their mechanical strength, stability, and biocompatibility.
