Photopolymerizable Green Composite Biomaterials for Potential 3D Printing Applications

Abstract

With the depletion of petroleum resources and escalating environmental pollution, the development of sustainable alternatives to conventional polymers is urgently needed. Green composite biomaterials (GCBs), designed for renewability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, emerge as promising alternatives for petroleum-based materials. In parallel, vat photopolymerization (VPP) 3D printing has established itself as a green manufacturing technique, offering solvent-free process, reduced waste, and mild curing conditions. By combining the merits of GCBs and VPP 3D printing, a synergistic pathway toward green circular model is established. This feature review highlights recent progress in this field. Specifically, we introduce our contributions on the development of novel photoinitiators, rational design strategies for functional GCBs incorporating self-healing capacity, enhanced mechanical performance and bio-functionalities, as well as the role of biobased nanofillers. Together, these advances outline a roadmap for translating sustainable photopolymer composites into practical applications in biomedical engineering and beyond.