Printable Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites as Versatile Platforms for Immobilization of Functional Biomolecules

Abstract

A series of novel nanocomposites containing graphene oxide (GO) suitable for stereolithography is presented. Different loads of GO are tested, identifying that these materials can be printed with concentrations up to 2.5 wt% GO, presenting improved mechanical properties for concentrations below 1.0 wt% GO. In this range, the nanocomposites exhibit higher strength and toughness when compared to the pristine resin. Microscopic analyses of the material demonstrate that this can be correlated with the good compatibility of GO with the resin, which favors its homogeneous dispersion in the form of flexible nanoplates. After manufacturing, the availability of GO to participate in surface modification reactions with chitosan (CHI) and an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is evaluated. CHI and ALP are well-known to act as biological cues in biorecognition processes, evidencing that these nanocomposites are suitable as platforms for selective immobilization of functional biomolecules.

Vat photopolymerization-based 3D printing of polymer nanocomposites: current trends and applications

“…This was due to the insufficient interfacial dispersion caused by the agglomeration of L-CNCs in the methacrylate matrix, which was in accordance with many studies, where increasing the nanofiller concentration beyond its percolation threshold results in a decrease in mechanical properties. 122 After post-curing, the addition of 0.1 and 0.5 wt% L-CNCs enhanced the mechanical properties and also improved the thermal stability, as shown in Fig. 14.…”

“…Similarly, the mechanical properties increased with thermal post-curing, as evidenced by ref. 47, 72, 82, 122, 127, 129 and 132 It was observed that the Young's modulus and yield strength in the linear regime were more rapid in graphene nanocomposites compared to the control specimens. The Young's modulus and yield strength increased from 1601 MPa and 77 MPa to 2180 MPa and 88 MPa, respectively, compared to the control specimens.…”

“…Thermal post-treatment can efficiently enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting polymer nanocomposites, as shown in many studies. 47,72,82,122,127,129 It has been proven experimentally by many researchers that post-curing in the form of thermal or UV light enhances the mechanical properties of 3D-printed nanocomposites.…”

“…After thermal post-curing, the tensile strength and modulus increased by almost 100% for 0.5 wt% GO compared to the control specimens. 122…”

“…79 It is evidenced from many studies that post-curing promotes the cross-linking of the free monomers in the polymer matrix, which creates new covalent bonds that increase the strength and stiffness. 47,72,82,122,127,129,132 Chiappone et al showed that the thermal and UV post-curing of graphene oxide-based 3D printed nanocomposites can effectively enhance the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites, as shown in Fig. 17 and 18, respectively.…”