Effect of graphene and graphene oxide addition in crosslinking and mechanical properties of photocurable resins for stereolithography

S. López de Armentia, R. Giménez, J.C. del Real-Romero, B. Serrano, J.C. Cabanelas, E. Paz

International Journal of Bioprinting

Summary:

The mechanical properties of the resins used in stereolithography are often inadequate, prompting studies on their enhancement with nanofillers such as graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs). GBNs hold promise for enhancing the mechanical performance of photocurable resins, yet their incorporation often leads to unexpected alterations that impact the final nanocomposite. The full spectrum of GBN effects on these resins remains incompletely understood, with many studies reporting suboptimal improvements. This study aims to elucidate the influence of graphene (G) and graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical properties and polymer structure of an acrylic photocurable resin used in stereolithography. The novelty of this research lies in examining how GBNs affect the polymer structure during polymerization and the degree of crosslinking—parameters that have not been sufficiently explored—and correlating these effects with photopolymerization outcomes. Stereolithography is particularly valuable in biomedicine thanks to its exceptional precision in creating patient-specific models, functional parts, implant devices or scaffolds for tissue engineering, but also various other innovative uses across different industries. Through comprehensive tensile tests, DMTA, DSC, FTIR, and microscopy analyses, it was found that GO enhances tensile strength but reduces the crosslinking degree, thus hindering overall improvements. These findings highlight the critical roles of nanomaterial dispersion, matrix-polymer interaction, and reinforcement in affecting proper crosslinking. Future studies should investigate the impact of varying nanoparticle sizes on crosslinking to further validate these hypotheses.

Spanish layman's summary:

Los nanomateriales basados en grafeno (GBNs) pueden mejorar las propiedades mecánicas de las resinas utilizadas en estereolitografía, aunque sus efectos son complejos y no se comprenden del todo. Este estudio revela que, aunque el óxido de grafeno mejora la resistencia a la tracción, también reduce el grado de reticulación, lo que afecta el rendimiento global del material.

English layman's summary:

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNs) can enhance the mechanical properties of resins used in stereolithography, though their effects are complex and not fully understood. This study shows that while graphene oxide improves tensile strength, it also reduces the degree of crosslinking, impacting the overall performance of the material.

Keywords: Graphene-Based Nanomaterials; Photocurable Resin; Stereolithography; DMTA; Crosslinking

JCR Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 6,800 - Q1 (2023)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.4075

In press: August 2024.

Citation:
S. López de Armentia, R. Giménez, J.C. del Real-Romero, B. Serrano, J.C. Cabanelas, E. Paz, Effect of graphene and graphene oxide addition in crosslinking and mechanical properties of photocurable resins for stereolithography. International Journal of Bioprinting.