Mechanical and Shape Memory Properties of 3D-Printed Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC)-Reinforced Polylactic Acid Bionanocomposites for Potential 4D Applications

Victor Chike Agbakoba, Percy Hlangothi, Jerome Andrew and Maya Jacob John ()
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Victor Chike Agbakoba: Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, Chemicals Cluster, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Percy Hlangothi: Department of Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6001, South Africa
Jerome Andrew: Biorefinery Industry Development Facility, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Durban 4041, South Africa
Maya Jacob John: Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, Chemicals Cluster, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Pretoria 0001, South Africa

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-19

Abstract: There is a growing need for diversified material feedstock for 3D printing technologies such as fused deposition modelling (FDM) techniques. This has resulted in an increased drive in the research and development of eco-friendly biopolymer-based composites with wide applications. At present, bionanocomposites of polylactic acid (PLA), biopolymer, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) offer promising technical qualities suitable for FDM 3D printing applications due to their biodegradability and wide-ranging applications. In this work, the applicability of the PLA/CNCs bionanocomposites in 4D applications was investigated by studying its shape-recovery behaviour. Tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to elucidate the mechanical and flexural properties of the 3D-printed specimens. The results revealed improvement in the deflection temperature under load (DTUL), creep deformation, and recovery of the PLA/CNCs bionanocomposites. Tensile and static 3-point bending analyses of the bionanocomposites revealed improved tensile strength and modulus of the 3D printed parts. The potential 4D application of the PLA/CNCs bionanocomposites was also investigated by successfully printing PLA/CNC bionanocomposites directly onto a nylon fabric. The PLA/CNCs-fabric prototype included a foldable cube and grid-patterned designs. Additionally, the heat-induced shape memory behaviour of these prototypes was demonstrated.

Keywords: 3D printing; fused deposition modelling; 4D application; shape-recovery; shape memory behaviour; cellulose nanocrystals; polylactic acid (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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