15 May 2024 | Thiago O. Machado, Connor J. Stubbs, Viviane Chiaradia, Maher A. Alraddadi, Arianna Brandolese, Joshua C. Worch, Andrew P. Dove
This paper presents a novel photopolymer resin platform derived from renewable lipoates, designed for 3D printing and circular recycling. The resin, composed of dynamic cyclic disulfide bonds, allows for efficient depolymerization and re-printing, addressing the limitations of conventional photopolymer resins. Key advancements include the use of renewable feedstocks, improved resolution and manufacturing speed, and enhanced recyclability. The resin's properties, such as thermal and mechanical stability, are comparable to commercial acrylic resins, making it suitable for high-resolution 3D printing. The study demonstrates successful recycling of printed parts through chemical depolymerization, achieving high recovery yields and maintaining the original resin composition. This work paves the way for sustainable and circular additive manufacturing practices.This paper presents a novel photopolymer resin platform derived from renewable lipoates, designed for 3D printing and circular recycling. The resin, composed of dynamic cyclic disulfide bonds, allows for efficient depolymerization and re-printing, addressing the limitations of conventional photopolymer resins. Key advancements include the use of renewable feedstocks, improved resolution and manufacturing speed, and enhanced recyclability. The resin's properties, such as thermal and mechanical stability, are comparable to commercial acrylic resins, making it suitable for high-resolution 3D printing. The study demonstrates successful recycling of printed parts through chemical depolymerization, achieving high recovery yields and maintaining the original resin composition. This work paves the way for sustainable and circular additive manufacturing practices.