Tuning the Mechanical Properties of 3D‐printed Objects by the RAFT Process: From Chain‐Growth to Step‐Growth

Abstract

Photoinduced 3D printing based on the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process has emerged as a robust method for creating diverse functional materials. However, achieving precise control over the mechanical properties of these printed objects remains a critical challenge for practical application. Here, we demonstrated a RAFT step‐growth polymerization of a bifunctional xanthate and bifunctional vinyl acetate. Additionally, we demonstrated photoinduced 3D printing through RAFT step‐growth polymerization with a tetrafunctional xanthate and a bifunctional vinyl acetate. By adjusting the molar ratio of the components in the printing resins, we finely tuned the polymerization mechanism from step‐growth to chain‐growth. This adjustment resulted in a remarkable range of tunable Young’s moduli, ranging from 7.6 MPa to 997.1 MPa. Moreover, post‐functionalization and polymer welding of the printed objects with varying mechanical properties opens up a promising way to produce tailor‐made materials with specific and tunable properties.