Ionic Liquid-Derived Deep Eutectic Solvents for Additive Manufacturing: 3D Printing 1-Butyl-3-vinylimidazolium-bromide and 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate Systems
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Biology
Minor
Chemistry
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Sourav Chatterjee, PhD.
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
3D printing technologies have become more cost-effective and widespread in recent decades. As a result, researchers are actively looking to develop 3D printing materials that enhance printing performance and versatility. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been attractive toward this end due to their tunable nature and other desirable properties such as nonflammability and low vapor pressure. One drawback, however, is that a large subset of ILs do not exist in a phase suitable for 3D printing or demonstrate other processing complications. To this end, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been presented, sharing the desirable properties of ILs. DESs may also be formulated using natural compounds, making them a green and affordable material for use in resin development. Recent studies have demonstrated the use of DESs in 3D printing, with the aforementioned qualities making DESs both practical and advantageous in the formulation of 3D printer resins. Thus, DESs have emerged as an exciting partner for ILs in resin development.
To further investigate the use of DESs in 3D printing, three DES-like resins were developed. These resins employ the IL 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium-bromide (C4VImBr) as the hydrogen bond acceptor and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) as the hydrogen bond donor in a DES system. To evaluate suitability for 3D printing, varying mole percentages of a crosslinker were added to observe the effect on resin performance. The resulting 3D printed polymers were then characterized in terms of thermal stability, chemical and mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and structure to assess their potential for future applications. This work is unique in that it combines the concepts of ILs, DESs, and 3D printing when, in current literature, the exploration of such has mostly been conducted in isolation or more limited combinations.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Honors College Senior Thesis Presentations
Ionic Liquid-Derived Deep Eutectic Solvents for Additive Manufacturing: 3D Printing 1-Butyl-3-vinylimidazolium-bromide and 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate Systems
3D printing technologies have become more cost-effective and widespread in recent decades. As a result, researchers are actively looking to develop 3D printing materials that enhance printing performance and versatility. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been attractive toward this end due to their tunable nature and other desirable properties such as nonflammability and low vapor pressure. One drawback, however, is that a large subset of ILs do not exist in a phase suitable for 3D printing or demonstrate other processing complications. To this end, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been presented, sharing the desirable properties of ILs. DESs may also be formulated using natural compounds, making them a green and affordable material for use in resin development. Recent studies have demonstrated the use of DESs in 3D printing, with the aforementioned qualities making DESs both practical and advantageous in the formulation of 3D printer resins. Thus, DESs have emerged as an exciting partner for ILs in resin development.
To further investigate the use of DESs in 3D printing, three DES-like resins were developed. These resins employ the IL 1-butyl-3-vinylimidazolium-bromide (C4VImBr) as the hydrogen bond acceptor and 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) as the hydrogen bond donor in a DES system. To evaluate suitability for 3D printing, varying mole percentages of a crosslinker were added to observe the effect on resin performance. The resulting 3D printed polymers were then characterized in terms of thermal stability, chemical and mechanical properties, swelling behavior, and structure to assess their potential for future applications. This work is unique in that it combines the concepts of ILs, DESs, and 3D printing when, in current literature, the exploration of such has mostly been conducted in isolation or more limited combinations.