Single‐Step 3D Printing of Silver‐Patterned Polymeric Devices for Bacteria Proliferation Control. Issue 1 (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: González Flores, Gustavo Adolfo; Bertana, Valentina; Chiappone, Annalisa; Roppolo, Ignazio; Scaltrito, Luciano; Marasso, Simone Luigi; Cocuzza, Matteo; Massaglia, Giulia; Quaglio, Marzia; Pirri, Candido Fabrizio; Ferrero, Sergio
• Is Part Of: Macromolecular materials and engineering. Volume 307:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: 3D printing -- additive manufacturing -- antibacterial properties -- micropatterning -- smart materials; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1002/mame.202100596
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1438-7492

Abstract

Abstract: This work describes the fabrication of silver‐patterned polymeric devices via light‐based 3D printing methods from a tailored resin. An acrylate resin containing silver nitrate (AgNO3 ) as a silver precursor is employed to generate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) through the in situ reduction of the metallic salt. The silver‐based resin is processed through a customized stereolithography SL‐3D printing to fabricate structures with silver‐patterned surfaces. This customized SL‐printer (emitting at 405 nm) offers the possibility of adjusting the machine settings during the printing process allowing for AgNPs to be selectively generated by modifying the laser settings during the 3D printing step. Thus, the resin photopolymerization and the photoinduced formation of AgNPs‐based strands can be sequentially achieved during the same printing process with the same light source and using the same printable resin. The fabricated silver‐patterned devices exhibit different surface features that might be exploited in systems working in a marine environment to control biofilm proliferation. As a proof‐of‐concept, the antimicrobial behavior of the silver‐based 3D printed device is tested against environmental bacterial mixed communities via UV–vis spectroscopy and evaluating the absorbance change. Further tests, however, would be needed to reinforce the evidence of the bacteria behavior on the silver‐patterned 3D printed devices. Abstract : A novel manufacturing process for antibacterial devices fabrication is reported. The process is carried out with a single 3D printable blend and a single 3D printer. The blend integrates silver salts which are reduced into silver nanoparticles. The reduction is selective and does not involve the entire device. Such a process is accomplished inside the same 3D printer employed for photoinduced polymerization.