Dual-curable vitrimers for 3d-printing

Abstract

3D-printed objects can greatly benefit from the introduction of molecular structure undergoing dynamic bond exchange [1] or the use dual-curing processing [2], leading to a significant enhancement of mechanical properties and extended capabilities such as adhesion, reshaping, healing and recycling. We have developed a family of dual-curing 3D-printable materials based on acrylate homopolymerization for the printing stage and epoxy-acid reaction for the second thermal curing stage, with the purpose 1) having a stable intermediate material with desired reshaping and adhesion capabilities and 2) obtaining a network structure capable of undergoing dynamic work rearrangement promoted by transesterification between ester and available hydroxyl groups. A latent amine catalyst has been added in order to accelerate both the thermal curing stage and transesterification