Three-Dimensional Printing of pH-Responsive and Functional Polymers on an Affordable Desktop Printer

Abstract

In this work we describe the synthesis, thermal and rheological characterization, hot-melt extrusion, and three-dimensional printing (3DP) of poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP). We investigate the effect of thermal processing conditions on physical properties of produced filaments in order to achieve high quality, 3D-printable filaments for material extrusion 3DP (ME3DP). Mechanical properties and processing performances of P2VP were enhanced by addition of 12 wt % acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), which reinforced P2VP fibers. We 3D-print P2VP filaments using an affordable 3D printer. The pyridine moieties are cross-linked and quaternized postprinting to form 3D-printed pH-responsive hydrogels. The printed objects exhibited dynamic and reversible pH-dependent swelling. These hydrogels act as flow-regulating valves, controlling the flow rate with pH. Additionally, a macroporous P2VP membrane was 3D-printed and the coordinating ability of the pyridyl groups was employed to immobilize silver precursors on its surface. After the reduction of silver ions, the structure was used to catalyze the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol with a high efficiency. This is a facile technique to print recyclable catalytic objects.