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ABSTRACTIn traditional photopolymer 3D printing materials, most diluent monomers exhibit toxicity, making them unsuitable for biomedical applications. Previous research identified 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (2-HEMA) as a biocompatible diluent monomer, though its single photopolymerizable functional group results in suboptimal curing performance. Literature suggests that Trimethylolpropane Ethoxylate Triacrylate (TMP(15EO)TA), with its three photopolymerizable functional groups, offers both biocompatibility and enhanced curing. This study investigates the effects of 2-HEMA and TMP(15EO)TA diluent monomers on 3D printing materials. Results indicate that TMP(15EO)TA-containing materials exhibit improved side roughness, aiding in stereolithography, increased viscosity, reduced hardness, and over 80% cell viability, demonstrating good biocompatibility. These findings provide a basis for the development of 3D-printed biomedical materials, which could significantly advance tissue engineering and other medical applications by providing safer and more effective materials.INTRODUCTIONThe evolution of 3D printing technology has revolutionized numerous industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and engineering. One of the most promising advancements is in the realm of biomedical engineering, where 3D printing enables the creation of complex structures tailored to individual patient needs. This precision is crucial for applications such as tissue engineering, prosthetics, and implants 1. Among the various 3D printing techniques, photopolymerization-based methods, such as stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP), are particularly valued for their high resolution and accuracy 23.Photopolymerization involves the use of light to initiate a polymerization reaction, transforming a liquid resin into a solid structure. This process relies heavily on the properties of the photopolymer resin, which typically consists of a photoinitiator, a base resin, and a diluent monomer. The choice of diluent monomer is critical, as it affects the viscosity, curing behavior, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of the final printed product 4. Historically, many diluent monomers used in photopolymer resins have been toxic, limiting their applicability in biomedical contexts 5.Recent advancements have focused on identifying and utilizing biocompatible diluent monomers. 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (2-HEMA) has been recognized for its favorable biocompatibility, making it a candidate for biomedical applications 6. However, 2-HEMA possesses only a single photopolymerizable functional group, resulting in less efficient curing compared to multifunctional monomers. In contrast, Trimethylolpropane Ethoxylate Triacrylate (TMP(15EO)TA), with three photopolymerizable functional groups, offers enhanced curing efficiency and has also demonstrated biocompatibility 7. This study aims to explore the effects of incorporating 2-HEMA and TMP(15EO)TA as diluent monomers in photopolymer resins for 3D printing.The development of new materials for 3D printing is a critical step towards advancing the technology's applications in the medical field. The selection of materials that not only provide the necessary mechanical properties but also ensure biocompatibility is essential for producing safe and effective medical devices. Previous research has demonstrated the potential of various monomers, but a comprehensive understanding of their combined effects is still lacking 89. This study seeks to fill that gap by systematically investigating the impacts of 2-HEMA and TMP(15EO)TA on the properties of 3D-printed materials, thereby offering valuable insights for future developments in this area 10.

Copyright © 2024 Yu-Fang Shen. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.