Digital light processing 3D printing of high-fidelity and versatile hydrogels via in situ phase separation

• DOI: 10.1039/d5tb00106d
• Publication Date: 2025-03-08T02:20:56Z
• Authors: Xiang-Jun Zha; Cheng Wen; Xinyu Huang; Ting-Xian Ling; Jian-Bo Li; Ji-Gang Huang
• Keywords: High fidelity; Digital printing

Recently, digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing has garnered significant interest for fabricating high-fidelity hydrogels. However, the intrinsic weak and loose network of hydrogels, coupled with uncontrollable projection, leads to low resolution restricts their broader applications. Herein, we propose a straightforward DLP strategy utilizing in situ phase separation produce high-fidelity, high-modulus, biocompatible By selecting acrylamide monomers poor compatibility within polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) during polymerization, create phase-separated domains polyacrylamide (PAM) that effectively inhibit ultraviolet (UV) transmission. This regulation UV distribution results anhydrous inks exceptional properties: ultra-high (1.5 μm), modulus (1043 MPa), high strength (70.0 MPa). Upon hydration, hydrogels decrease approximately 4000 times those gels, exhibiting mechano-moisture sensitivity suitable actuator Additionally, 3D-printed featuring micro-scale structures, demonstrate good biocompatibility facilitate nutrient transport cell proliferation. versatile paves way fabrication multifunctional