ABSTRACT This study reports the development of a 3D‐printed heterogeneous catalyst fabricated via masked stereolithography (MSLA) and based on a chitosan‐copper complex. Chitosan, a biodegradable and low‐cost biopolymer derived from shrimp shell waste, was explored as a ligand for coordinating a copper‐based active phase within a photocurable resin matrix. To improve its integration and dispersion in the resin, chitosan extracted from the carapace and abdominal regions of shrimp shells was enzymatically degraded. The resulting samples were characterized by FTIR‐ATR, DLS, and 1H NMR to determine molecular weight and degree of deacetylation. The powdered chitosan‐CuCl2 complexes were then incorporated into a bio‐based resin and 3D‐printed into porous catalytic supports. SEM and EDS analyses revealed surface porosity and copper distribution, while micro‐CT showed improved internal homogeneity for samples containing degraded chitosan. Solvent exposure tests and thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the chemical and thermal stability of the printed objects. The 3D‐printed structures were evaluated as heterogeneous catalysts in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using H2O2 as a green oxidant. The catalysts demonstrated promising activity, showing the potential of this approach for valorizing biomass‐derived aromatic alcohols into higher‐value chemicals. These results highlight a sustainable pathway for integrating food‐waste‐derived biopolymers into advanced catalytic materials.
Blânzeanu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.