The additive manufacturing of photopolymer resins enables the rapid fabrication of bespoke 3D-printed parts. However, recycling printed parts is challenging, and no existing photopolymer resin can be recycled and directly re-used in a closed-loop pathway. We have designed a photopolymer resin platform built exclusively from renewable feedstock that can be 3D-printed into high-resolution parts, efficiently deconstructed, and subsequently re-printed in a closed-loop manner. This approach overrides conventional methods to recycle and re-print 3D-printed photopolymers since re-formulation of the recycled resin, via adding additional monomer and/or reactive diluents, is unnecessary. The resin platform can be formulated to access photocured materials with varied thermal and mechanical properties without significantly compromising on overall recyclability.

Circular photopolymer resins for sustainable additive manufacturing

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.