Preparation and characterization of PEGDMA-based 3D printable hydrogels with customizable properties using NVP additive

Abstract

In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) hydrogels containing varying concentrations (20% to 45%) of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) were successfully fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. Mechanical testing revealed that increasing the NVP concentration transitions the hydrogels from a ductile state to a stiffer, more brittle material, with the compressive Young’s modulus peaking at 13.15 MPa at 35% NVP. Swelling behavior was also highly dependent on NVP levels; formulations with lower concentrations hydrated rapidly within an hour, whereas higher NVP concentrations required up to 24 hours to reach equilibrium. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed effective polymerization across all samples, and contact angle measurements verified that every formulation maintained strong hydrophilic properties. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that modifying NVP concentrations in PEGDMA hydrogels allows for precise tuning of their mechanical and physical characteristics. Because they are compatible with commercial SLA printers, these customizable materials hold significant promise for diverse biomedical and dental applications, including soft tissue scaffolds, periodontal barriers, and drug delivery systems.