Programmable Porous Polymers Via Direct Bubble Writing With Surfactan-Free Inks

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-9-2020

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

Fabrication of macroporous polymers with functionally graded architecture or chemistry bears transformative potential in acoustic damping, energy storage materials, flexible electronics, and filtration, but is hardly reachable with current processes. Here, we introduce thiol-ene chemistries in direct bubble writing, a recent technique for additive manufacturing of foams with locally controlled cell size, density and macroscopic shape. Surfactant-free and solvent-free graded 3D foams without drying-induced shrinkage were fabricated by direct bubble writing at an unparalleled ink viscosity of 410 cP (40 times higher than previous formulations). Functionalities including shape memory, high glass transition temperatures ( >25 °C), and chemical gradients were demonstrated. These results extend direct bubble writing from aqueous inks to non-aqueous formulations, while the liquid flow rate (3 mL min-1) exceeds chip microfluidic techniques. Altogether, direct bubble writing with thiol-ene inks promises rapid one-step fabrication of functional materials with locally controlled gradients in the chemical, mechanical, and architectural domains.

Publication Title

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

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