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Light-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance

Author

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  • Xiaolu Sun

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Shaoyun Chen

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Bo Qu

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Rui Wang

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Yanyu Zheng

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Xiaoying Liu

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Wenjie Li

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Jianhong Gao

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

  • Qinhui Chen

    (Fujian Normal University)

  • Dongxian Zhuo

    (Quanzhou Normal University
    Fujian Normal University
    Fujian University Engineering Research Center of Polymer Functional Coating based Graphene
    Fujian Key Laboratory of New Materials for Light Textile and Chemical Industry)

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology has significantly impacted contemporary industries due to its ability to generate intricate computer-designed geometries. However, 3D-printed polymer parts often possess limited application potential, primarily because of their weak mechanical attributes. To overcome this drawback, this study formulates liquid crystal/photocurable resins suitable for the stereolithography technique by integrating 4’-pentyl-4-cyanobiphenyl with a photosensitive acrylic resin. This study demonstrates that stereolithography facilitates the precise modulation of the existing liquid crystal morphology within the resin. Furthermore, the orientation of the liquid crystal governs the oriented polymerization of monomers or prepolymers bearing acrylate groups. The products of this 3D printing approach manifest anisotropic behavior. Remarkably, when utilizing liquid crystal/photocurable resins, the resulting 3D-printed objects are approximately twice as robust as those created using commercial resins in terms of their tensile, flexural, and impact properties. This pioneering approach holds promise for realizing autonomously designed structures that remain elusive with present additive manufacturing techniques.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaolu Sun & Shaoyun Chen & Bo Qu & Rui Wang & Yanyu Zheng & Xiaoying Liu & Wenjie Li & Jianhong Gao & Qinhui Chen & Dongxian Zhuo, 2023. "Light-oriented 3D printing of liquid crystal/photocurable resins and in-situ enhancement of mechanical performance," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42369-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42369-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Silvan Gantenbein & Kunal Masania & Wilhelm Woigk & Jens P. W. Sesseg & Theo A. Tervoort & André R. Studart, 2018. "Three-dimensional printing of hierarchical liquid-crystal-polymer structures," Nature, Nature, vol. 561(7722), pages 226-230, September.
    2. D. Mistry & N. A. Traugutt & B. Sanborn & R. H. Volpe & L. S. Chatham & R. Zhou & B. Song & K. Yu & K. N. Long & C. M. Yakacki, 2021. "Soft elasticity optimises dissipation in 3D-printed liquid crystal elastomers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Daniel Wangpraseurt & Shangting You & Farooq Azam & Gianni Jacucci & Olga Gaidarenko & Mark Hildebrand & Michael Kühl & Alison G. Smith & Matthew P. Davey & Alyssa Smith & Dimitri D. Deheyn & Shaochen, 2020. "Bionic 3D printed corals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.
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