Sustainable Photopolymers in 3D Printing: A Review on Biobased, Biodegradable, and Recyclable Alternatives

• Published in: Macromolecular rapid communications. Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. e2000475 - n/a
• Main Authors: Voet, Vincent S. D., Guit, Jarno, Loos, Katja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2021
• Subjects: 3-D printers; biobased polymers; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; degradable polymers; Environmental impact; Global marketing; Monomers; Natural resources; Oligomers; Photopolymerization; Photopolymers; Printing; Reagents; reprocessable polymers; Resins; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Thermosetting resins; Three dimensional printing; photopolymerization; reprocessable polymers; resins; degradable polymers; biobased polymers
• ISSN: 1022-1336; 1521-3927; 1521-3927
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.202000475

The global market for 3D printing materials has grown exponentially in the last decade. Today, photopolymers claim almost half of the material sales worldwide. The lack of sustainable resins, applicable in vat photopolymerization that can compete with commercial materials, however, limits the widespread adoption of this technology. The development of “green” alternatives is of great importance in order to reduce the environmental impact of additive manufacturing. This paper reviews the recent evolutions in the field of sustainable photopolymers for 3D printing. It highlights the synthesis and application of biobased resin components, such as photocurable monomers and oligomers, as well as reinforcing agents derived from natural resources. In addition, the design of biologically degradable and recyclable thermoset products in vat photopolymerization is discussed. Together, those strategies will promote the accurate and waste‐free production of a new generation of 3D materials for a sustainable plastics economy in the near future. In view of the growing demand for 3D printing materials, the availability of environmentally friendly alternatives is vital. The field of sustainable materials for vat photopolymerization is evolving rapidly from biobased resins and biodegradable photopolymers to repairable and reprocessable thermosets. This review article strives to give an overview of recent advances in the last decade.