Incorporation of silver nanoparticles into polyamide 12 powder for application in 3d printing

Abstract

Objects obtained by 3D printing have gained attention and relevance because the resulting products can be applied in various areas of an emerging market. In this scenario, demands in the biological field, such as the need for self-antimicrobial products in the medical area, have prompted research into commercially viable compounds that meet these requirements. This project aims to incorporate silver nanoparticles into polyamide 12 powder via Selective Laser Sintering for application in 3D printing. Nanoparticle incorporation will be carried out in an aqueous medium, to avoid the use of organic solvents. According to the literature, Ag+ can bind to functional groups of branched polymers and be further reduced to Ag0. Reduction is achieved via a chemical route based on sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7), as stabilizers. The use of water as a solvent will result in a minimum impact on the environment. Moreover, incorporation of the silver nanoparticles into polyamide in the powder form will provide pieces containing the antimicrobial agent (silver) with the desired characteristics, making the use of these pieces on a large scale viable.(AU)