Optimization of EPOLA/PEGDA Formulation for 3D Scaffold Development using Design of Experiment (DOE – Mixture)
SITI NURUL SYAFIKA Sheikh Ibrahim, MAT UZIR Wahit, MARINA Talib, NORHAYANI Othman, FARAH FADZEHAH Hilmi
Abstract. This paper explores the optimization of Epoxidized Palm Oil Acrylate (EPOLA) and Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) formulations for developing 3D scaffolds via stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. By leveraging Design-Expert software, experiments were designed to enhance the PEGDA and EPOLA mixture with the addition of the photoinitiator Irgacure-369 (IR 369). EPOLA, a natural-based polymer, complements PEGDA, a synthetic polymer, addressing the scaffold’s mechanical robustness necessary for natural tissue-mimicking properties under loading conditions, while facilitating biofunctionality crucial for cell attachment and proliferation. The study focuses on crosslinking the bioresin mixture in an SLA environment, utilizing ultraviolet (UV) light as the crosslinking agent within the 3D printer to fabricate the scaffolds. Employing Design of Experiment – Mixture (DOE-Mixture) methodology in Design-Expert software version 13 enabled systematic optimization. The findings reveal that the highest crosslinking percentage reached 58.349%, achieved with a formulation composed of 54.587% PEGDA, 44.413% EPOLA, and 1.0% IR369, yielding a desirability score of 0.921.This statistical experimental design approach facilitated the systematic determination of the optimal formulation, showcasing the efficacy of integrating natural-based and synthetic polymers for advanced 3D scaffold development via SLA printing technology.
Keywords
Design of Experiment, Design Expert, DOE – Mixture, 3D Printing, SLA
Published online 7/15/2026, 8 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: SITI NURUL SYAFIKA Sheikh Ibrahim, MAT UZIR Wahit, MARINA Talib, NORHAYANI Othman, FARAH FADZEHAH Hilmi, Optimization of EPOLA/PEGDA Formulation for 3D Scaffold Development using Design of Experiment (DOE – Mixture), Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 68, pp 113-120, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904237-15
The article was published as article 15 of the book Green Materials, Processing & Characterization
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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