Inkjet Printing of Keratin-Based Ink Formulation

Mimicking accurate skin texture through advanced printing technologies holds significant promise for cosmetic, biomedical, and tissue engineering applications. Inkjet printing offers precise control in fabricating skin-mimicking materials, with keratin emerging as a key component due to its biocompatibility and structural similarity to natural skin. This study focused on developing keratin-based inks by optimizing the rheological and surface properties to meet inkjet printing requirements. Sodium alginate served as a thickener, while the surfactants SDS, Tween 20, and Tween 80 were investigated to tailor the surface tension. The optimal formulation, containing 0.2% wt sodium alginate and 0.3% wt SDS and Tween 20, demonstrated good printability with minimal defects. SDS exhibited superior performance in reducing surface tension and enhancing electrostatic stabilization, while Tween 20 contributed steric stabilization. Excessive additive concentrations led to high viscosity and nozzle clogging, emphasizing the need for precise formulation control. The findings address critical challenges in keratin-based ink and highlight the potential of inkjet printing for creating skin-mimicking materials. This work lays the groundwork for advances in personalized wound care, tissue engineering, and cosmetic applications, promoting future exploration in keratin-based ink for printing technologies.