3D Printing Applications and Development of PLLA: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202505_11(5).0054Keywords:
PLLA; 3D-Printing; Additive Manufacturing.Abstract
Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer, has emerged as a cornerstone material in additive manufacturing for biomedical applications. This review examines recent advancements in 3D-printed PLLA-based scaffolds and devices, focusing on bone regeneration, infection control, drug delivery, and multifunctional tissue engineering. We analyze innovations in material modifications (e.g., plasticizers, nanocomposites), printing techniques (FDM, SLS, DLP), and structural design strategies (gradient porosity, auxetic architectures). Critical challenges such as degradation control, mechanical optimization, and clinical translation are discussed, along with future directions in 4D printing and personalized medicine.
Downloads
References
[1] C. Samanta, G. Maykel, R.R. María, D.P.M. Luisa, L. Gerardo, G.E. Sönmez, S. Javad, Recent advances in modified poly (lactic acid) as tissue engineering materials, Journal of biological engineering 17(1) (2023) 21-21.
[2] R. Mincheva, J. Odent, M.B. Abdeljawad, B. Martin, P. Lambert, J.M. Raquez, 3D-printed gradient-like poly(L,L-lactide)-based auxetic materials for bone regeneration applications, Progress in Additive Manufacturing (prepublish) (2025) 1-10.
[3] C. Cen, Y. Zhang, Y. Cao, C. Hu, L. Tang, C. Liu, T. Wang, W. Peng, Construction of a 3D Degradable PLLA/β-TCP/CS Scaffold for Establishing an Induced Membrane Inspired by the Modified Single-Stage Masquelet Technique, ACS biomaterials science & engineering (2025).
[4] K. Divakar, P. David, D. Dolph, H.L. S, S. Lina, Characterization of 3D printed biodegradable piezoelectric scaffolds for bone regeneration, Clinical and experimental dental research 9(2) (2023) 398-408.
[5] H. Zhao, M. Liu, J. Wang, Z. Long, L. Xiong, G. Qian, 3D-printed bone scaffolds containing graphene oxide/gallium nanocomposites for dual functions of anti-infection and osteogenesis differentiation, Surfaces and Interfaces 57 (2025) 105770-105770.
[6] Y. Xun, Z. Wei, Y. Zhongyuan, C. Feng, H. Xiaoxiao, Three-Dimensional Printing of Poly-L-Lactic Acid Composite Scaffolds with Enhanced Bioactivity and Controllable Zn Ion Release Capability by Coupling with Carbon-ZnO, Bioengineering 10(3) (2023) 307-307.
[7] S. Pal, U.A. Gavhane, A.S. K, Biocompatible PVAc-g-PLLA Acrylate Polymers for DLP 3D Printing with Tunable Mechanical Properties, ACS applied materials & interfaces (2024).
[8] P. Shibam, S.K. Asha, Biodegradable, Solvent‐Free Photocrosslinkable PLLA Resin Formulations for Additive Manufacturing, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 223(22) (2022).
[9] A. Khodabandeh, A.A. Yousefi, S.J. Holagh, E.V. Farahani, Fabrication of 3D microfibrous composite polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds loaded with piezoelectric poly (lactic acid) nanofibers by sequential near-field and conventional electrospinning for bone tissue engineering, Biomaterials Advances 166 (2025) 214053-214053.
[10] N.D. Angelis, A. Amaroli, A. Lagazzo, F. Barberis, P.R. Zarro, A. Cappelli, M.G. Sabbieti, D. Agas, Multipotent Mesenchymal Cells Homing and Differentiation on Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blended with 20% Tricalcium Phosphate and Polylactic Acid Incorporating 10% Hydroxyapatite 3D-Printed Scaffolds via a Commercial Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Device, Biology 12(12) (2023).
[11] C. ChongSu, J. Inho, Bone Morphogenic Protein-2-Conjugated Three-Dimensional-Printed Poly (L-Lactic Acid) (PLLA) Scaffold is likely Promising as an Effective Bone Substitute, Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine 20(2) (2023) 155-156.
[12] C. Carbone, S. Rigogliuso, V.M.B. Brucato, A. Cusimano, M. Labbozzetta, V.L. Carrubba, P. Poma, M. Notarbartolo, F.C. Pavia, PLLA Porous Scaffold as a 3D Breast Cancer Model to Investigate Drug Resistance, Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A 113(1) (2024) e37836-e37836.
[13] P. Poma, S. Rigogliuso, M. Labbozzetta, F.C. Pavia, C. Carbone, J. Ma, A. Cusimano, M. Notarbartolo, Antimigratory effects of a new NF-κB inhibitor, (S)-b-salicyloylamino-a-exo-methylene-ƴ-butyrolactone, in 2D and 3D breast cancer models, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 180 (2024) 117552-117552.
[14] S. Hendrawan, O. Marcelina, S.T. Tan, H.U. Baer, Immobilization of hUC-MSCs conditioned medium on 3D PLLA collagen-coated matrix enhances diabetic wound healing progression, Engineered Regeneration 5(3) (2024) 421-431.
[15] S. Yamamoto, R. Iwadate, K. Maeda, N. Taniike, Postoperative maxillary stability after Le Fort I osteotomy using a u-HA/PLLA system: three-dimensional analysis by surface superimposition based on virtual Le Fort I osteotomy, International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery 54(4) (2024) 337-345.
[16] W. Yafei, R. Chengzhen, B. Fanggang, L. Pengju, T. Ke, The hydroxyapatite modified 3D printed poly L-lactic acid porous screw in reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament of rabbit knee joint: a histological and biomechanical study, BMC musculoskeletal disorders 24(1) (2023) 151-151.
[17] Z. Lihua, C. Shunyu, X. Chunling, L. Qingshuang, X. Dian, C. Weixin, X. Xiufeng, The fabrication of multifunctional sodium alginate scaffold incorporating ibuprofen-loaded modified PLLA microspheres based on cryogenic 3D printing, Journal of biomaterials science. Polymer edition 33(10) (2022) 11-17.
[18] D. Fanfan, R. Harald, J. Katalee, J. Andreas, P. Albrecht, B. Wolfgang, A. René, 3D-printing of the polymer/insect-repellent system poly(l-lactic acid)/ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate (PLLA/IR3535), International Journal of Pharmaceutics 624 (2022) 122023-122023.
[19] Y. Zou, B. Zhou, W. Guo, Z. Sun, X. Lu, L. Li, PLLA/(MWCNTs-ZnO)@PDA composite with NIR-light induced shape memory effect, antibacterial properties and 3D printability, Materials Today Chemistry 37 (2024) 101995-.
[20] W. Haipeng, W. Hao, L. Yunxiao, H. Jie, Z. Ning, W. Xiao, S. Zhen, W. Gang, C. Yuwei, D. Yongxin, Z. Jianming, Enhancing the mechanical properties of biodegradable PLLA/PBAT blends for 3D filament via one-pot synthesized CNCs-PVAc powder, Composites Science and Technology 239 (2023).
[21] H. Xulin, Z. Weiming, Z. Zhen, X. Jianping, H. Jian, C. Jianfei, L. Qing, Y. Yajing, X. Chengdong, L. Kainan, Novel 3D printed shape-memory PLLA-TMC/GA-TMC scaffolds for bone tissue engineering with the improved mechanical properties and degradability, Chinese Chemical Letters 34(1) (2023).
[22] L.P. Malone, S.M. Best, R.E. Cameron, Accelerated degradation testing impacts the degradation processes in 3D printed amorphous PLLA, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology 12 (2024) 1419654-1419654.
[23] D. Ruiping, W. Yimeng, S. Danning, W. Ziqiang, Z. Yiyun, D. Bo, L. Lingrong, L. Xuemin, Z. Qiqing, The effect of blending poly (l-lactic acid) on in vivo performance of 3D-printed poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone)/PLLA scaffolds, Biomaterials Advances 138 (2022) 212948-212948.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
