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Thiol-Ene Photopolymerization and 3D Printing of Non-Modified Castor Oil Containing Bio-Based Cellulosic Fillers
Rafael Turra Alarcon1, Matteo Bergoglio2, Éder Tadeu Gomes Cavalheiro1
1Instituto de Química de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo-USP, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil.
Polymers
|March 13, 2025
Summary
This study explores greener 3D printing using solvent-free thiol-ene click photopolymerization with bio-based castor oil and cellulosic fillers. Formulations showed high conversion, fast rates, and excellent curing, enabling complex structure printing.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Sustainable Manufacturing
Background:
- Photopolymerization in 3D printing offers a greener alternative due to rapid reactions and low energy needs.
- Thiol-ene "click" reactions are efficient, proceeding rapidly at equimolar concentrations of thiol and alkene groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate solvent-free, bio-based photopolymerizable formulations for 3D printing.
- To investigate the impact of cellulosic fillers (hemp, tagua, walnut) on photopolymerization kinetics and material properties.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of solvent-free formulations using castor oil, Trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercapto propionate), and cellulosic fillers.
- Characterization of polymerization conversion, rate, curing depth, crosslinking density (DMTA), rheology, and bio-based content.
Main Results:
- All formulations achieved >70% conversion with fast polymerization rates.
- Filled formulations exhibited enhanced curing depths and adequate viscosities for 3D printing.
- Hemp-filled formulation showed highest crosslinking density and was successfully used to print complex shapes; all polymers were >97% bio-based with >96% gel content.
Conclusions:
- Solvent-free thiol-ene photopolymerization using bio-based materials is a viable and sustainable approach for 3D printing.
- Cellulosic fillers enhance photopolymerization performance and enable the creation of complex, high-performance bio-based polymers.
