Thermal post-curing as an efficient strategy to eliminate process parameter sensitivity in the mechanical properties of two-photon polymerized materials

Optics Express
Jens BauerLorenzo Valdevit

Abstract

Two-photon polymerization direct laser writing (TPP-DLW) is one of the most versatile technologies to additively manufacture complex parts with nanoscale resolution. However, the wide range of mechanical properties that results from the chosen combination of multiple process parameters imposes an obstacle to its widespread use. Here we introduce a thermal post-curing route as an effective and simple method to increase the mechanical properties of acrylate-based TPP-DLW-derived parts by 20-250% and to largely eliminate the characteristic coupling of processing parameters, material properties and part functionality. We identify the underlying mechanism of the property enhancement as a self-initiated thermal curing reaction, which robustly facilitates the high property reproducibility that is essential for any application of TPP-DLW.

References

Mar 15, 2011·Advanced Materials·Franziska KleinMartin Bastmeyer
Feb 20, 2014·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jens BauerOliver Kraft
Feb 2, 2016·Nature Materials·J BauerO Kraft
Sep 6, 2017·Advanced Materials·Jens BauerLorenzo Valdevit
Aug 10, 2016·Polymers·Erik Hagen Waller, Georg Von Freymann
Jun 6, 2019·Optics Express·Linas JonušauskasMangirdas Malinauskas
Sep 19, 2019·Small·Anna Guell IzardLorenzo Valdevit
Mar 30, 2020·Nature Communications·Cameron CrookLorenzo Valdevit

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