2023/09/08 by Steven C. Gauci, Aleksandra Vranic, Eva Blasco +3 · 1 voice · 2 citations
Chemistry · Engineering · Materials Science · #Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies #Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry #Photopolymerization techniques and applications
paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/adma.202306468
openalex publication_date 2023/09/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
3D printing with light is enabled by the photochemistry underpinning it. Without fine control over the ability to photochemically gate covalent bond formation by the light at a certain wavelength and intensity, advanced photoresists with functions spanning from on-demand degradability, adaptability, rapid printing speeds, and tailored functionality are impossible to design. Herein, recent advances in photoresist design for light-driven 3D printing applications are critically assessed, and an outlook of the outstanding challenges and opportunities is provided. This is achieved by classing the discussed photoresists in chemistries that function photoinitiator-free and those that require a photoinitiator to proceed. Such a taxonomy is based on the efficiency with which photons are able to generate covalent bonds, with each concept featuring distinct advantages and drawbacks.