An imidazolium-based supramolecular gelator enhancing interlayer adhesion in 3D printed dual network hydrogels

Materials & Design

Derek J. Irvine¹  Shereen Aboarkaba²  Lea Santu³  Glenieliz Dizon⁴  David B. Amabilino⁴  Zuoxin Zhou⁴  Lluïsa Pérez-García⁵  David Limón⁶  Christopher Tuck⁶  Mario Samperi⁶  Ricky Wildman⁷ 

[1]Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Spain

[2]School of Chemistry and GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, NG7 2GA, United Kingdom

[3]School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

[4]Centre for Additive Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

[5]Departament de Farmacologia, Toxicologia i Química Terapèutica, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028, Spain

[6]School of Chemistry and GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, NG7 2GA, United Kingdom

[7]School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

关键词: 3D printing;    Additive manufacturing;    Low molecular weight gelator;    Supramolecular;    UV-curable monomer;    Double-network hydrogel;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The variety of UV-curable monomers for 3D printing is limited by a requirement for rapid curing after each sweep depositing a layer. This study proposes to trigger supramolecular self-assembly during the process by a gemini imidazolium-based low-molecular-weight gelator, allowing printing of certain monomers. The as-printed hydrogel structures were supported by a gelator network immobilising monomer:water solutions. A thixotropic hydrogel was formed with a recovery time of <50 s, storage modulus = 8.1 kPa and yield stress = 18 Pa, processable using material extrusion 3D printing. Material extrusion 3D printed objects are usually highly anisotropic, but in this case the gelator network improved the isotropy by subverting the usual layer-by-layer curing strategy. The monomer in all printed layers was cured simultaneously during post-processing to form a continuous polymeric network. The two networks then physically interpenetrate to enhance mechanical performance. The double network hydrogels fabricated with layers cured simultaneously showed 62–147% increases in tensile properties compared to layer-by-layer cured hydrogels. The results demonstrated excellent inter- and intra-layered coalescence. Consequently, the tensile properties of 3D printed hydrogels were close to mould cast objects. This study has demonstrated the benefits of using gelators to expand the variety of 3D printable monomers and shown improved isotropy to offer excellent mechanical performances.

【 授权许可】

Unknown