Filament Extrusion and Its 3D Printing of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Styrene-co-Methyl Methacrylate) Blends

Green Hydrogel Synthesis: Emphasis on Proteomics and Polymer Particle-Protein Interaction

The field of drug discovery has seen significant progress in recent years. These advances drive the development of new technologies for testing compound's effectiveness, as well as their adverse effects on organs and tissues. As an auxiliary tool for drug discovery, smart biomaterials and biopolymers produced from biodegradable monomers allow the manufacture of multifunctional polymeric devices capable of acting as biosensors, of incorporating bioactives and biomolecules, or even mimicking organs and tissues through self-association and organization between cells and biopolymers. This review discusses in detail the use of natural monomers for the synthesis of hydrogels via green routes. The physical, chemical and morphological characteristics of these polymers are described, in addition to emphasizing polymer-particle-protein interactions and their application in proteomics studies. To highlight the diversity of green synthesis methodologies and the properties of the final hydrogels, applications in the areas of drug delivery, antibody interactions, cancer therapy, imaging and biomarker analysis are also discussed, as well as the use of hydrogels for the discovery of antimicrobial and antiviral peptides with therapeutic potential.

Stiff-Elongated Balance of PLA-Based Polymer Blends

In this study, polymer blends with a mechanical property balance based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA), stiff polymer, and elongated polymer were developed. First, the binary blends PLA-elongated polymer [ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyethylene], or PLA-stiff polymer [polystyrene or poly(styrene-co-methyl methacrylate) (SMMA)] blends were studied using dynamic mechanic analysis (DMA) and analyzed using Minitab statistical software to determine the factors influencing the elongation or stiffness of the blends. Then, ternary blends such as elongation-poly(lactic acid)-stiff, were made from the binary blends that presented optimal performance. In addition, three blends [EVA–PLA–SMMA (EPS)] were elaborated by studying the mixing time (5, 15, and 15 min) and the added time of the SMMA (0, 0, and 10 min). Specifically, the mixing time for EPS 1, EPS 2, and EPS 3 is 5 min, 15 min, and 15 min (first EVA + PLA for 10 min, plus 5 min PLA-EVA and SMMA), respectively. Mechanical, thermal, rheological, and morphological properties of the blends were studied. According to DMA, the results show an increase in elongation at break (ε_b) and do not decrease the elastic module of poly(lactic acid). Nevertheless, EPS 3 excels in all properties, with an ε_b of 67% and modulus of elasticity similar to PLA. SMMA has a significant role as a compatibilizing agent and improves PLA processability.

The Effects on Thermal Efficiency of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia and Lanthanum Zirconate-Based Thermal Barrier Coatings on Aluminum Heating Block for 3D Printer

Fused filament fabrication is an important additive manufacturing method, for which 3D printers are the most commonly used printing tools. In this method, there are many factors that affect the printing quality, chief among which is temperature. The fusion temperature of the material is created by an aluminum heating block in the extruder. Stability and a constant temperature for the aluminum heating block are inevitable requirements for print quality. This study aims to use the thermal barrier coating method to increase the thermal efficiency and stability of the aluminum heating block by reducing heat loss. Furthermore, it aims to perform steady-state thermal analysis using finite element analysis software. The analyses are carried out in stagnant air environment and at the printing temperature of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material. In order to examine the effects of different coating materials, blocks coated with two different coating materials, as well as uncoated blocks, were used in the analyses. The coating made with yttria-stabilized zirconia and pyrochlore-type lanthanum zirconate materials, together with the NiCRAl bond layer, prevent temperature fluctuation by preventing heat loss. The effects of the coating method on average heat flux density, temperature distribution of blocks, and temperature distribution of the filament tube hole were investigated. Additionally, changes in flow velocity were determined by examining the effects of the thermal barrier coating method on temperature distribution. The average heat flux density in the coated blocks decreased by 10.258%. Throughout the investigation, the temperature distributions in the coated blocks became homogeneous. It was also observed that both coating materials produce the same effect. This article performs a steady-state thermal analysis of a conventional model and thermal-barrier-coated models to increase print quality by reducing heat loss from the aluminum heating block.

How Is Rheology Involved in 3D Printing of Phase-Separated PVC-Acrylate Copolymers Obtained by Free Radical Polymerization

New auto-plasticised copolymers of poly(vinyl chloride)-r-(acrylate) and polyvinylchloride, obtained by radical polymerization, are investigated to analyse their capacity to be processed by 3D printing. The specific microstructure of the copolymers gives rise to a phase-separated morphology constituted by poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) domains dispersed in a continuous phase of acrylate-vinyl chloride copolymer. The analysis of the rheological results allows the suitability of these copolymers to be assessed for use in a screw-driven 3D printer, but not by the fused filament fabrication method. This is due to the high melt elasticity of the copolymers, caused by interfacial tension between phases. A relationship between the relaxation modulus of the copolymers and the interlayer adhesion is established. Under adequate 3D-printing conditions, flexible and ductile samples with good dimensional stability and cohesion are obtained, as is proven by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile stress-strain tests.