Nanomaterials for 3D Printing of Polymers via Stereolithography: Concept, Technologies, and Applications

Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing method with one of the highest accuracies (down to 100 nm) of all solid freeform techniques and has been used in various areas, such as medicine, automotive, aerospace, electronics, and others. However, most resins available nowadays are derived from petroleum. Its toxicity, low biocompatibility, and growing environmental concerns are limiting its application. This review discusses the development of biobased and biocompatible materials for different SLA processes as well as the usage of nanocomposites to increase their applicability. A comprehensive overview of the SLA technologies, photopolymerization chemistry, and resin properties are also provided. Finally, various examples using different types of materials are explored, to show the current and future capabilities of the SLA technique.

Automated summary

Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing method known for its high accuracy, with applications in various industries. However, the use of petroleum-derived resins in SLA has raised concerns due to toxicity and environmental issues. This review discusses the development of biobased and biocompatible materials, as well as the use of nanocomposites, to address these limitations and enhance the capabilities of the SLA technique.