A new photocrosslinkable polycaprolactone-based ink for three-dimensional inkjet printing

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2017 Aug;105(6):1645-1657. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33699. Epub 2016 May 14.

Abstract

A new type of photocrosslinkable polycaprolactone (PCL) based ink that is suitable for three-dimensional (3D) inkjet printing has been developed. Photocrosslinkable Polycaprolactone dimethylacrylate (PCLDMA) was synthesized and mixed with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) to prepare an ink with a suitable viscosity for inkjet printing. The ink performance under different printing environments, initiator concentrations, and post processes was studied. This showed that a nitrogen atmosphere during printing was beneficial for curing and material property optimization, as well as improving the quality of structures produced. A simple structure, built in the z-direction, demonstrated the potential for this material for the production of 3D printed objects. Cell tests were carried out to investigate the biocompatibility of the developed ink. © 2016 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1645-1657, 2017.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Implants, Experimental*
  • Ink*
  • Materials Testing*
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Polyesters* / chemistry
  • Polyesters* / pharmacology
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • polycaprolactone