A Printing‐Centric Approach to the Electrostatic Modification of Polymer/Clay Composites for Use in 3D Direct‐Ink Writing

Journal Article · 12 February 2018 · Advanced Materials Interfaces

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.201701579 · OSTI ID:1420185

Rauzan, Brittany M. ^[1]; Lehman, Sean E. ^[1]; McCracken, Joselle M. ^[1]; Lee, Jonghun ^[2]; Lin, Xiao‐Min ^[3]; Sandy, Alec ^[2]; Narayanan, Suresh ^[2]; Rogers, Simon A. ^[4]; Nuzzo, Ralph G. ^[1]

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1. Department of Chemistry University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign 600 S. Matthews Avenue Urbana IL 61801 USA
2. X‐ray Science Division Advanced Photon Source Argonne National Laboratory 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne IL 60439 USA
3. Center for Nanoscale Materials Argonne National Laboratory 9700 South Cass Avenue Argonne IL 60439 USA
4. Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign 600 S. Matthews Avenue Urbana IL 61801 USA

Abstract Polymer/clay composite inks are exceptionally useful materials for fabrication processes based on 3D direct‐ink writing, however, there remains an insufficient understanding of how their physiochemical dynamics impact printability. Using a model system, N ‐isopropylacrylamide/Laponite, the electrostatic interactions between Laponite platelets are modified to tune critical rheological properties in order to improve printability. Rheological measurements and X‐ray scattering experiments are carried out to monitor the nano/micro‐structural dynamics and complex physicochemical interactions of Laponite as it impacts complex modulus in the linear region, flow behavior, thixotropy, and yield stress of the composite ink. Modification of the electrostatic interactions between platelets reduces the yield stress of the material, while maintaining a complex microstructure that allows for sufficient recovery times upon removal of stress to form stable, and thus printable, filaments. A printing‐centric approach is established based on a fundamental understanding of electrostatic inter‐particle interactions, harnessing the innate microstructure of Laponite in 3D direct‐ink writing of composites.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: NONE; AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1420185
• Journal Information: Advanced Materials Interfaces, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Interfaces Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 5; ISSN 2196-7350
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Germany
• Language: English