Two‐Step Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Poly(hydroxybutyrate)‐Based Photocurable Resin with Potential Application in Stereolithography

• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201900660
• Publication Date: 2020-05-04T07:31:13Z
• Authors: Giacomo Foli; Micaela Degli Esp...; Davide Morselli; Paola Fabbri
• Keywords: Stereolithography; Propylene carbonate; Environmentally Friendly

Abstract A bio‐based polymeric ink for stereolithography developed through a two‐step solvent‐free process is herein proposed. Specifically, low‐molecular‐weight poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)‐diol oligomers are prepared via molten transesterification of bacterial PHB with 1,4‐butanediol. Transesterification conditions such as diol concentration, catalyst amount, and reaction time studied optimizing the final oligomers’ molecular weight structural features. In second step, oligomeric hydroxyl terminals converted into methacrylate moieties end‐capping diluted in propylene carbonate order to obtain photo‐polymerizable suitable viscosity. The UV‐cured, obtained material properties investigated by FT‐IR differential scanning calorimetry measurements. proposed method provides valuable environmentally friendly alternative currently available synthetic routes, overcoming their typical disadvantages related used solvents harsh conditions. Moreover, it opens up sustainable route converting polyesters functionalized derivatives, which can potentially find application 3D printing customized biomedical devices.