Surface-selective laser sintering of thermolabile polymer particles using water as heating sensitizer. (30th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antonov, E N; Krotova, L I; Minaev, N V; Minaeva, S A; Mironov, A V; Popov, V K; Bagratashvili, V N
• Is Part Of: Quantum electronics. Volume 45:Number 11(2015)
• Page Start: 1023
• Page End: 1028
• Publication Date: 2015-11-30
• Subjects: Quantum electronics -- Periodicals; 537.5
• DOI: 10.1070/QE2015v045n11ABEH015817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1063-7818

Abstract

Abstract: We report the implementation of a novel scheme for surface-selective laser sintering (SSLS) of polymer particles, based on using water as a sensitizer of laser heating and sintering of particles as well as laser radiation at a wavelength of 1.94 μm, corresponding to the strong absorption band of water. A method of sintering powders of poly(lactide-co-glycolide), a hydrophobic bioresorbable polymer, after modifying its surface with an aqueous solution of hyaluronic acid is developed. The sintering thresholds for wetted polymer are by 3 – 4 times lower than those for sintering in air. The presence of water restricts the temperature of the heated polymer, preventing its thermal destruction. Polymer matrices with a developed porous structure are obtained. The proposed SSLS method can be applied to produce bioresorbable polymer matrices for tissue engineering.