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Title: A general method to improve 3D-printability and inter-layer adhesion in lignin-based composites

Journal Article · · Applied Materials Today
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Here, we report the utilization of a melt-stable lignin waste-stream from biorefineries as a renewable feedstock, with acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer to synthesize a renewable matrix having excellent 3D-printability. While the initial low melt viscosity of the dispersed lignin phase induces local thermo-rheological relaxation facilitating the composite's melt flow, thermal crosslinking in both lignin and rubber phases as well as at the lignin-rubber interface decreases the molecular mobility. Consequently, interfacial diffusion and the resulting adhesion between deposited layers is decreased. However, addition of 10 wt.% of discontinuous carbon fibers (CFs) within the green composites not only significantly enhances the material performance but also lowers the degree of chemical crosslinking formed in the matrix during melt-phase synthesis. Furthermore, abundant functional groups including hydroxyl (from lignin) and nitrile (from rubber and ABS) allow combinations of hydrogen bonded structures where CFs play a critical bridging role between the deposited layers. As a result, a highly interfused printed structure with 100% improved inter-layer adhesion strength was obtained. This research offers a route toward utilizing lignin for replacement of petroleum-based thermoplastics used in additive manufacturing and methods to enhance printability of the materials with exceptional mechanical performance.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1633333
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1439149
Journal Information:
Applied Materials Today, Journal Name: Applied Materials Today Vol. 12 Journal Issue: C; ISSN 2352-9407
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Netherlands
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 90 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Cited By (6)

Biotransformation of lignin: Mechanisms, applications and future work journal October 2019
Ultrafast 3D printing with submicrometer features using electrostatic jet deflection journal February 2020
A fundamental understanding of whole biomass dissolution in ionic liquid for regeneration of fiber by solution-spinning journal January 2019
Lignin: A Biopolymer from Forestry Biomass for Biocomposites and 3D Printing journal September 2019
FDM 3D Printing of Polymers Containing Natural Fillers: A Review of their Mechanical Properties journal June 2019
Lignin Biopolymers in the Age of Controlled Polymerization journal July 2019

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
3D-printing
Weld energy
Lignin composites
Carbon fibers
Inter-layer diffusion