Antimicrobial Vitrimers Synthesized from Dipentaerythritol Pentaacrylate and 2-Hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl Acrylate for...

In this study, two monomers, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate and 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate, were used to synthesize antimicrobial vitrimers with and without a transesterification catalyst and investigate their properties. The addition of the comonomer 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate to the photocurable resin reduced its viscosity and shrinkage but increased the gel point and reduced the brittleness and increased flexibility of the resulting polymers. All vitrimers exhibited self-welding and reprocessability properties and thermoresponsive shape memory, maintaining two permanent shapes. All vitrimers showed high antimicrobial activity against widely spread bacteria and fungal strains, including medically important ones. The resin, composed of dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate (1 mol) and 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl acrylate (10 mol), was applied to LCD 3D printing technology, and the Y-shaped connector was printed. In addition, the antimicrobial activity makes these vitrimers particularly important for use in areas with high microbial concentrations, such as medical facilities.