Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most promising nanofillers for developing multifunctional photopolymer nanocomposite resins for vat photopolymerization (VPP), including stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and masked stereolithography (MSLA). Their high aspect ratio, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength can enable photopolymer matrices with enhanced stiffness, conductivity, piezoresistive response, and thermal performance. However, the translation of CNT-reinforced photopolymer resins into reliable VPP processes remains limited by a narrow formulation and processing window. CNT agglomeration, sedimentation, viscosity increase, and strong absorption or scattering of UV/visible light can reduce cure depth, impair interlayer adhesion, and compromise dimensional accuracy. This review discusses CNT structure and functionalization, photopolymer resin formulation, dispersion methods, rheological behavior, curing kinetics, and the resulting mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of CNT/photopolymer nanocomposites processed by VPP. Particular attention is given to the trade-off between filler loading, resin printability, curing behavior, and multifunctional performance. Current applications in sensing, electromagnetic interference shielding, biomedical devices, lightweight structures, and energy-related components are discussed, with particular attention to the distinction between laboratory demonstrations and potential industrial uses. Finally, the review identifies key research needs, including improved dispersion stability, standardized characterization protocols, safer post-processing routes, and advanced curing strategies such as multi-material and multi-wavelength VPP.
Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) nanocomposites based on acrylic acid and acrylamide, reinforced with montmorillonite (MMT) clay, were synthesized via free-radical polymerization to investigate the structural, thermal, and swelling properties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the copolymerization of MMT into the polymer network, with strong hydrogen-bonding interactions among the carboxylate, amide, and hydroxyl groups. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the morphology of the MMT-incorporated composite was a highly porous, interconnected three-dimensional network, providing good diffusion paths for water. TGA showed thermal stability of the SAP composite, retaining 35–40 wt
A series of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) blends was prepared with various mass ratios through electrospinning. The piezoelectric performance, along with the miscibility and crystallization behavior of the blends, was studied. The results showed that the incorporation of TPU significantly promoted β-phase formation, and the PVDF with 10 wt
In this work, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites loaded with hydroxyapatite (HAp) are developed for denture base. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis has been carried out and found the presence of functional groups, surface morphology and chemical compositions. The 30 wt
Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are critical driving components for micro-crawling soft robots. Commercial vinyl silicone matrices suffer from an intrinsic trade-off between mechanical flexibility and dielectric performance—a fundamental bottleneck that triggers a series of derivative drawbacks including low permittivity, weak electromechanical response, filler agglomeration and conflicting dielectric loss-breakdown behaviors, severely restricting large strain output under low electric fields. This work proposes a synergistic dual modification strategy combining thiol-ene polar grafting and core-shell MWCNT@PDA filling, which delivers 1 + 1>2 performance enhancement via complementary effects: grafted hydroxyl groups endow silicone with intrinsic polarity and low modulus, while PDA-wrapped carbon nanotubes further boost dielectric permittivity. Unique hydrogen bonds between grafted hydroxyls and PDA shells strengthen filler-matrix interfacial adhesion, an exclusive coupling effect unachievable by single modification. Thiol-ene modified VMQ-BME achieves a reduced Young’s modulus of 0.15 MPa, a dielectric constant of 5.8 at 1 kHz, and an actuated strain of 23.53
