Recently, extrusion-based 3D printing has been widely used to manufacture precise and accurate 3D structures with high nanocellulose concentrations due to excellent materials flow control and system stability. With the extrusion-based 3D printing technique, the main challenges for precision and accuracy in high concentration nanocellulose 3D printed structures are proper printing parameters and appropriate adhesion between printed layers. Therefore, this study aims to improve the adhesion between high content nanocellulose printed layers by blending different lignin concentrations and optimizing the twin-screw extruder printing parameters. The lignin concentrations are optimized in nanocellulose paste by assessing the mechanical properties, shape retention, and shrinkage of 3D printed structures. To ease shape retention, the 3D printed structures are dried at controlled humidity (45%) and temperature (25oC). The surface morphology of the 3D printed structures is observed by scanning electron microscope.
|