Xanthate-Based Photoiniferter RAFT Polymerization toward Oxygen-Tolerant and Rapid Living 3D Printing

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing based on photoinduced reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is emerging as a versatile and powerful method to prepare “living” 3D objects, which can be postmodified with various functionalities. However, an additional photoinitiator or photocatalyst is necessary in these systems, which is toxic and will cause negative effects on the properties of the prepared materials. Here, we report oxygen-tolerant and rapid living 3D printing based on photoiniferter RAFT polymerization, which does not need additional photoinitiators or photocatalysts. A xanthate, O-ethyl-S-2-ethyl propionate, was chosen as both the photoinitiator and RAFT agent in this process. Various monomers and RAFT agents were screened in this system. Materials with different properties were prepared utilizing the postfunctionalization of the printed living objects. Furthermore, a polymer welding method was proposed by painting fresh monomers between two living objects for post-photocuring. This photoiniferter RAFT polymerization-based living 3D printing method was also successfully applied to a commercial digital light processing technique-based 3D printer, offering a facile method to fabricate living 3D materials with different shapes.