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Biocompatible polymers have emerged as essential materials in medical 3D printing, enabling the fabrication of scaffolds, tissue constructs, drug delivery systems, and biosensors for applications in and on the human body. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of 3D-printable biocompatible polymers and their composites, with an emphasis on their processing methods, properties, and biomedical uses. The scope of this work includes both natural and synthetic biocompatible polymers, polymer–nanocomposite systems, and bioinks that do not require photo initiators. The relevant literature was critically examined to classify materials by type, evaluate their compatibility with major 3D printing techniques such as stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and fused deposition modeling, and assess their performance in various medical applications. Key findings highlight that reinforced polymer composites, tailored surface chemistries, and hybrid printing strategies significantly expand the range of functional, customizable, and affordable biomedical devices. This review concludes by discussing present-day applications and emerging trends, underscoring that 3D-printable biocompatible polymers are rapidly transitioning from research to clinical practice, offering transformative potential for patient-specific healthcare solutions.
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3D printing of hybrid solid–liquid structures
3D printing is a versatile technology for creating objects with custom geometries and compositions and is increasingly employed for fabricating hybrid solid–liquid composites (SLCs). These composites, comprising solid matrices with integrated liquid components, showcase unique properties such as enhanced flexibility and improved thermal and electrical conductivities. This review focuses on methods to fabricate SLCs directly by different 3D printing techniques, e.g. without needing to backfill or impregnate a porous matrix. The techniques of extrusion, vat photopolymerization and material jetting combined with microfluidics, inkjet printing, vacuum filling and ultraviolet light curing to produce SLCs are emphasized. We also discuss the development of feedstocks, focusing on emulsions and polymer capsules as fillers, and analyze current literature to highlight their significance. The review culminates in a perspective on new directions, highlighting the potential of bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) to facilitate the printing of continuous liquid pathways, alongside the importance of understanding ink formulation and stability. Concluding with future perspectives, we underline the transformative impact of 3D‐printed SLCs in diverse applications, signaling a significant advancement in the field.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2103182
- PAR ID:
- 10529170
- Publisher / Repository:
- AIP
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Polymer International
- ISSN:
- 0959-8103
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.6636
