Table 1.
Polymer composites used in 3D printing
| Reinforcing materials | Polymer matrix | Manufacturing method | Achievements | Applications | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particle reinforced composites | |||||
| Carbohydrate particles | PLA | Fused deposition modelling | Improved bone regeneration capacity | Bone regeneration | [127] |
| Hydroxy apatite | PCL | Extrusion | Improved compressive modulus, enhanced cell proliferation and biomimetic mineralization | Bone regeneration | [128, 129] |
| Silica particles | PCL | 3D melt printing | Improved tensile properties, high hydrophilicity, good water uptake ability and osteogenic differentiation | Bone regeneration | [130] |
| Strontium-containing hydroxy apatite | PCL | 3D blend printing | Promote osteogenesis repair | Bone regeneration | [131] |
| Fibre reinforced composites | |||||
| Carbon fiber | Polyether-ether-ketone | Fused deposition modelling | Improved mechanical properties | Orthopaedic and dental applications | [132] |
| Mesoporous bioglass fibers of magnesium calcium silicate | Gliadin and PCL | Extrusion | Improved compressive strength, in vitro degradability and stimulated new bone formation | Tissue engineering | [133] |
| Nanocomposites | |||||
| Montmorillonite | Carboxy methyl cellulose/sodium alginate hydrogel | Extrusion | Improved printability and shape fidelity | Tissue engineering | [134] |
| Titanium dioxide nanoparticle/β tricalcium phosphate | Alginate/gelatine hydrogel | Microextrusion | Enhanced mechanical properties | Tissue engineering | [135] |
| Hydroxy apatite nanopowder/magnesium fluoride nanoparticles | PCL | Extrusion | Improved stiffness and toughness, increased osteogenic capacity | Bone regeneration | [136] |
| Laponite/multi-walled carbon nanotubes | N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM) | Extrusion | Improved mechanical properties and electrical conductivity, rapid self-healing, good cytocompatibility and high sensitivity to NIR light and temperature | Stimuli responsive electrical devices | [137] |
| Laponite XLG | 2-Hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels | Direct-ink writing | Enhanced cellular attachment | Tissue engineering | [138] |
| PEG/PCL nanoparticles | Gelatine-methacryloyl | Digital light processing printing | Sustained release of drugs by targeting Hippo pathway | Peripheral nerve repair | [139] |
| Gold nanoparticles | Gelatine Methacrylate Hydrogel | Extrusion | Improved cytocompatibility and enhanced visibility for μCT imaging | Tissue engineering | [140] |
| Magnetic nanoparticles: ferucarbotran and EFH3 | E-shell600 clear and ABS 3SP tough | Direct light projection technology | Improved printability, suitable for calibration purposes and defined magnet0ic signaling | Magnetic particle imaging phantoms | [141] |
| Silica nanoparticles | Poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) | Stereo-lithography | Increased tensile and compression strengths | Microfluidic devices | [142] |
| ZnO nanofibers | PLA | Solvent-cast printing | Increased crystallinity | Medical and packaging applications | [143] |
| Cellulose nanofibers | Waterborne polyurethane (PU) | Fused deposition modeling | Improved mechanical properties and viscosity, good shear thinning characteristics and rapid degradation | Tissue engineering | [144] |