Functional Dyes in Polymeric 3D Printing: Applications and Perspectives

Abstract

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) is considered among the keytechnologies for the next industrial revolution, with considerable effects on production processes, economy, and society. In this context, the most relevant part of the market consists of polymeric 3D printing. The 3D printable liquids are composed of various components, among them dyes are usually underrated because they are introduced merely for aesthetical reasons or to enhance the objects' resolution. In recent years, the capability of specific dyes to go beyond conventional use and to confer functional properties to 3D printed objects has become an emerging research area. Modifying elastic moduli upon light irradiation, inducing optical and emitting properties in the matrices or conferring temperature responsivity are just few examples of innovative stimuli-responsive materials that can be produced by combining well-designed dyes with the appropriate 3DP printed matrices. In this Review, we discuss and critically analyze the most relevant recent results achieved in the use of smart dyes in the synthesis of stimuli responsive 3D printed polymers.

3D-printed self-healing hydrogels via Digital Light Processing

“…In addition, to avoid polymerization over the exposed areas and to achieve a better resolution, a water-soluble dye was added. This lead to better confinement of the polymerization at the x-y plane, lower light penetration depth, and better control over the photoinitiation kinetics 34 , 57 , 58 . To demonstrate this effect, cuboid samples (25 × 10 × 5 mm) were printed with formulations containing two different dyes, methyl red (left) and brilliant green (right), and then compared to a sample printed without adding a dye (Supplementary Fig.…”

Multistage Reversible Tg Photomodulation and Hardening of Hydrazone-Containing Polymers

“…This behavior is similar to what is observed in heat-stiffening polymer composites. 37−39 We also carried out structure property analysis to lower the initial T g value to ambient and physiologically relevant temperatures to enable their future use in 3D printing 40 or bioimplants. 41 Our end goal is the development of polymers that can be induced to undergo liquid-to-solid phase transitions, with properties that can be precisely controlled and dialed-in.…”

Tetraarylethene fluorescent dyes with aggregation-induced emission for LED-driven photocuring and 3D printing

“…The details of the materials were given in the supporting information. 1 H NMR (400 MHz) and 13 C NMR (101 MHz) spectra were recorded on a Bruker AV400 NMR spectrometer. IR spectra were recorded on a Nicolet 5700 instrument (Thermo Electron Corporation, Waltham, MA).…”

“…Conferring new functionalities to polymeric materials using dyes is particularly advantageous because a small amount of dye could remarkably change the material's properties while retaining the mechanical features of the matrix [1][2][3][4] . In recent years, the capability of specific dyes to go beyond conventional use and confer functional properties to 3D printed objects has attracted research attention [5][6][7][8] .…”