Chemical engineering aspects in the design and construction of a new type of multimaterial 3D printer using photopolymerization and electrodeposition processes

3D printing has recently been experiencing a period of extremely rapid development. This is due to the fact that researchers as well as the industry recognize the many advantages of 3D printing. The dynamic development of this field brings about the advancement of new technologies, leading to the search for new photocurable resin formulations that enable efficient 3D printing in various environments. The development of an appropriate photocurable resin for 3D printing in the aqueous environment of electroplating baths is a crucial aspect in designing new devices for multi-material 3D printing that utilize coupled processes of electrodeposition and photopolymerization. Therefore, this article analyzes the effect of different environments on the kinetics of the photopolymerization process of photo-curable compositions dedicated to 3D printing. The study was carried out in four different environments: argon, water, saturated copper (II) sulfate solution and saturated copper (II) sulfate solution acidified with monomolar sulfuric (VI) acid. The work used techniques such as Fluorescent Probe Technique, photorheology, rheology and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the course of the photopolymerization process. The results of the experiments showed that the environment has a significant effect on the degree of conversion of monomers and on the rate of the photopolymerization process itself.