Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42368474›Full record

ReviewPolymer science & technology (Washington, D.C.)2026

Recyclable Photopolymers for Sustainable 3D Printing.

Qirui Wu, Youyi Sun, Si Wu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Polymer science & technology (Washington, D.C.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Qirui WuHefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
Youyi SunSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2736-275X
Si WuHefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Anhui Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8156-346X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The use of photopolymers for 3D printing facilitates high-precision fabrication of geometrically complex structures, offering exceptional dimensional accuracy and rapid curing capabilities that position it as a cornerstone of modern additive manufacturing. However, conventional photopolymers form permanently crosslinked networks, which are resistant to recycling. This inherent limitation generates persistent waste streams that are fundamentally incompatible with circular economy principles. Consequently, the development of recyclable photopolymers that maintain printability while enabling closed-loop material recovery represents a critical Frontier for sustainable manufacturing. Advancing these materials will remain essential for reconciling technological progress with environmental stewardship in the foreseeable future. This review examines recent breakthroughs in recyclable photopolymer systems for 3D printing. First, mainstream photopolymerization techniques compatible with recyclable materials are outlined, followed by an elucidation of core design strategies incorporating chemical depolymerization, thermo-mechanical reprocessing, and noncovalent interactions. Fundamental recycling mechanisms are detailed alongside performance modulation methodologies. Furthermore, emerging applications in soft robotics, wearable devices, and bioelectronic devices where recyclable photopolymers enable multifunctional devices are highlighted. Finally, persistent challenges regarding network durability and recycling efficiency are addressed, and future research directions toward truly sustainable 3D printing are proposed.

Indexed as

3D printingdepolymerizationnoncovalent bondrecyclabilityreprocessing

Identifiers

PMID42368474
PMCPMC13295194

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.