Biobased Photopolymer Resin for 3D Printing Containing Dynamic Imine Bonds for Fast Reprocessability

Abstract

Acrylic photopolymer resins are widely used in stereolithographic 3D printing. However, the growing demand for such thermosetting resins is weighing on global issues such as waste management and fossil fuel consumption. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for reactive components that are biobased and enable recyclability of the resulting thermoset products. In this work, the synthesis of a photo-cross-linkable molecule containing dynamic imine bonds based on biobased vanillin and dimer fatty diamine is described. Using the biobased building blocks, formulations containing reactive diluent and a photoinitiator were prepared. The mixtures could be rapidly cross-linked under UV light, yielding vitrimers. Using digital light processing, 3D-printed parts were prepared, which were rigid, thermally stable, and reprocessed within 5 min at elevated temperature and pressure. The addition of a building block containing a higher concentration of imine bonds accelerated the stress relaxation and improved the mechanical rigidity of the vitrimers. This work will contribute to the development of biobased and recyclable 3D-printed resins to facilitate the transition to a circular economy.