Investigation of the Biocidal Performance of Multi-Functional Resin/Copper Nanocomposites with Superior Mechanical Response in SLA 3D Printing

Abstract

Metals, such as silver, gold, and copper are known for their biocidal properties, mimicking the host defense peptides (HDPs) of the immune system. Developing materials with such properties has great importance in medicine, especially when combined with 3D printing technology, which is an additional asset for various applications. In this work, copper nanoparticles were used as filler in stereolithography (SLA) ultraviolet (UV) cured commercial resin to induce such biocidal properties in the material. The nanocomposites developed featured enhanced mechanical responses when compared with the neat material. The prepared nanocomposites were employed to manufacture specimens with the SLA process, to be tested for their mechanical response according to international standards. The process followed was evaluated with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The antibacterial activity of the fabricated nanocomposites was evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method. Results showed enhanced mechanical performance of approximately 33.7% in the tensile tests for the nanocomposites filled with 1.0 wt.%. ratios, when compared to the neat matrix material, while this loading showed sufficient antibacterial performance when compared to lower filler loadings, providing an added value for the fabrication of effective nanocomposites in medical applications with the SLA process.

Development and Optimization of Medical-Grade Multi-Functional Polyamide 12-Cuprous Oxide Nanocomposites with Superior Mechanical and Antibacterial Properties for Cost-Effective 3D Printing

“…Copper (I) oxide’s antibacterial performance has been studied and it is well documented in the literature [ 61 , 62 ]. Copper (Cu) and copper oxides have been used as fillers in vat photopolymerization to induce antibacterial performance to polymeric resins [ 63 , 64 ]; however, no studies exist yet that are related to ΜΕΧ 3D printing technology [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. Hence, they were selected in this study as potential fillers to introduce multifunctional behavior in the prepared nanocomposite materials.…”

Trilateral Multi-Functional Polyamide 12 Nanocomposites with Binary Inclusions for Medical Grade Material Extrusion 3D Printing: The Effect of Titanium Nitride in Mechanical Reinforcement and Copper/Cuprous Oxide as Antibacterial Agents

“…To overcome this issue, various types of nanomaterials have been introduced into polymer matrices that enhance the mechanical response of the matrix material and induce their properties in the developed nanocomposites [ 5 , 20 , 31 , 32 ]. As a result, nanocomposites for 3DP and AM, in general, have been developed and characterized with improved mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties [ 20 , 33 , 34 ]. At the same time, properties such as antibacterial response have been introduced in biocompatible and medical grade materials, making them suitable for different healthcare and medical applications [ 4 , 5 , 8 , 35 ].…”

“…For the development of composites and nanocomposites with antibacterial properties, additives with such properties are introduced into the materials, with copper (Cu) and its oxides, such as copper (I) oxide (cuprous oxide, Cu 2 O), frequently used in the literature [ 8 , 32 , 34 , 35 ]. Cu in different types (nanopowder and others) has been widely used and investigated in the literature for various types of applications [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ].…”

“…Cu in different types (nanopowder and others) has been widely used and investigated in the literature for various types of applications [ 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. It has been processed and investigated in AM as well [ 60 , 61 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ], with several works exploiting its antibacterial performance in AM [ 34 , 65 ]. Cuprous oxide has been employed in semiconductors [ 67 , 68 ], among other applications; still, it is mainly used and investigated for its antibacterial properties [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 ].…”

Synthesis, Characterization, and 3D Printing of Silver Nanoparticles/Photopolymer Resin Composites

“…Though it can offer complex architectures, the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties are unsuitable for functional applications [10]. Therefore, the default resins used in these 3D printers can be modified to produce nanocomposites with particle and fibrous reinforcements to enhance their mechanical and thermal properties [11,12]. Various applications, especially biomedical engineering, need cost-effective and high-performance solutions that can fabricate IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1757-899X/1248/1/012003 2 the desired shapes at low cost with enhanced mechanical and chemical stability [13].…”