Department of Colloid Chemistry, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam 14476, Germany.
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, Vuorimiehentie 1, Espoo, FI-00076, Finland.
Mater Horiz. 2022 Feb 7;9(2):835-840. doi: 10.1039/d1mh01741a.
Direct ink writing (DIW) of Pickering emulsions offers great potential for constructing on-demand objects. However, the rheological properties of fluid emulsions greatly undermines the shape fidelity and structural integrity of 3D-printed structures. We solve here these challenges and realize a new route towards complex constructs for actual deployment. A dynamic, supramolecular host-guest hydrogel based on poly(ethylene glycol) and α-cyclodextrin was synthesized in the continuous phase of cellulose nanocrystal-stabilized Pickering emulsions. The storage modulus of the obtained emulgels could reach up to ∼113 kPa, while being shear thinning and yielding precise printability. Diverse complex architectures were possible with high shape fidelity and structural integrity. The printed objects, for example a double-wall cylinder with 75 layers, demonstrated excellent dimensional stability (shrinkage of 7 ± 2% after freeze-drying). With the merits of a simple fabrication process and the high biocompatibility of all the components, the concept of dynamic supramolecular hydrogel-reinforced emulgels represent a potentially versatile route to construct new materials and structures DIW for use in bioproducts and biomedical devices.
Pickering 乳液的直接喷墨（DIW）为按需构建提供了巨大的潜力。然而，流体乳液的流变性能极大地破坏了 3D 打印结构的形状保真度和结构完整性。我们在这里解决了这些挑战，为实际应用实现了一种新的复杂结构构建途径。在纤维素纳米晶稳定的 Pickering 乳液的连续相中合成了基于聚乙二醇和 α-环糊精的动态超分子主客体水凝胶。所得乳凝胶的储能模量高达约 113 kPa，同时具有剪切变稀和精确可打印性。具有高形状保真度和结构完整性的各种复杂结构成为可能。例如，打印的双层圆柱具有 75 层，表现出优异的尺寸稳定性（冷冻干燥后收缩 7±2%）。由于具有简单的制造工艺和所有成分的高生物相容性，动态超分子水凝胶增强乳凝胶的概念代表了一种用于生物制品和生物医学设备的构建新材料和结构的潜在多功能途径。
