New Method to Develop Terpenes-based Sustainable Polymers for 3D Printing & Medical

Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a way of making organic polymers from the fragrant molecules found in conifers and fruit trees. The technique could lead to a new generation of sustainable materials for use in biomedical applications or 3D printing prototyping.

Molecules called as terpenes are found in the essential oils of a wide variety of plants and are often used in fragrances, cosmetics and other household products. Terpenes can also be used to produce resins.

Combining Terpenes & Thiols to Develop Light Activated Resins

In order to find a way to produce sustainable polymers, researchers have devised a technique for extracting the terpenes molecules and converting them into stable resins. By combining them with sulfur-based organic compounds called thiols, the resins can be activated by light to form a solid material.

Processing the terpenes in this way makes them particularly useful in a 3D printing process called stereolithography, where objects are built up in multiple layers and fused together under UV light to form 3D objects.

Lead author, Professor Andrew Dove, explains: “We need to find sustainable ways of making polymer products that do not rely on petrochemicals. Terpenes have been recognized as having real potential in this search and our work is a promising step towards being able to harness these natural products.”

Different terpenes produce different material properties and the next step for the team is to investigate those properties more fully to better control them. Although the fragrances are not key to the terpenes’ material properties, researchers are interested to see if they can also be harnessed in some products.

Their results are published in Polymer Chemistry.

Source: University of Birmingham