Synthesis of Bio-Based Polyester Resins for Vat Photopolymerization 3D Printing

Ines Cazin, Martin Ocepek, Janez Kecelj, Aleš Stanislav Stražar, Sandra Schlögl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Driven by environmental considerations, the scientific community has directed great effort towards the synthesis of new materials derived from renewable resources. However, for photocurable resins, most commercially available building blocks still rely on petroleum-based precursors. Herein, we present a simple synthesis route for bio-based acrylate-modified polyester resins, whose viscosity is sufficiently low for processing them with vat photopolymerization 3D printing. The established synthesis route enables the gradual substitution of fossil-based raw materials with bio-based alternatives. The acid number, color and viscosity of the bio-based acrylic resins are characterized and photocurable formulations are prepared by adding a radical photoinitiator. The photopolymerization kinetics, and thermomechanical and mechanical properties of the photopolymers are investigated as a function of the resin structure and benchmarked against a commercially available petroleum-based counterpart. Finally, the processability of the new bio-based resins via digital light processing 3D printing is demonstrated and test specimens are successfully 3D printed with a resolution in the millimeter range.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1890
Number of pages13
Journal Materials
Volume17.2024
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Apr 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright: © 2024 by the authors.

Keywords

  • additive manufacturing
  • bio-based polymers
  • photocuring
  • polyester resins
  • vat photopolymerization 3D printing

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