Photocurable 3D-printable systems with controlled porosity towards filtering applications

The continuous evolution in the field of 3D-printing is leading to the search for new materials with specific characteristics. In this thesis work new materials with controlled porosity will be developed by means of Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D-printing system. The formulations are based on photocurable emulsion of 1,6-Hexanediol diacrylate for the fabrication of porous structures, taking advantage of presence of PLURONIC F-127 surfactant. This ingredient enable the formation of stable micelles that are necessary to create controlled porosity. The formulations contain as well photoinitiator in order to enable polymerization when exposed to UV radiation and UV absorbers and radical scavengers to properly control the extent of reaction in the 3D printer. The porosity of the structures were controlled by changing the water/surfactant ratio, which in turns affects the printing parameters and mechanical properties of the fabricated components. This was evaluated by preliminary tests such as photoreology and materials characterization on the 3D-printed objects. Successful 3D printing of porous structures was achieved with excellent CAD fidelity; the morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. For the more, different shapes were so printed for applications in different research fields, such as CO2 trapping and quality air filtering, which exploit the large available surface area.