3D Printing with tuneable degradation: Thiol-ene and thiol-yne containing formulations for biomedical applications

Despite advances in the range of materials that can be used in 3D printing and their applications across numerous scientific disciplines, the controlled breakdown of their solid structures after printing remains challenging. In this study we report the development of tuneable degradable 3D printed formulations, that could be 3D printed using standard digital light processing (DLP) and then degraded as required under mild conditions. Thirteen thiol-ene and thiol-yne formulations were designed to provide a range of tailored mechanical properties, with controlled degradation rates, and specific thermal behaviours with potential relevance to biomedical applications. The formulations ranged from ones with high stiffness for structural applications, through to those capable of rapid degradation. These formulations demonstrate full degradability and stability in physiological conditions, showing potential for future drug delivery applications pending further toxicity and release studies. This balance of degradability and mechanical robustness offers significant potential for enhancing patient safety and reducing the invasiveness of surgical treatments as directed by clinical needs.