Flexible PBAT-Based Composite Filaments for Tunable FDM 3D Printing

Abstract

Biobased composites with peculiar properties offer an attractive route for producing environmentally friendly materials. The reinforcement for poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT), based on zein-titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) complex (ZTC) microparticles, is presented and used to produce composite filaments, successfully 3-dimensionally (3D) printed by fused deposition modeling (FDM). The outcome of ZTC addition, ranging from 5 to 40 wt %, on the thermo-mechanical properties of composite materials was analyzed. Results reveal that storage modulus increased with increasing the ZTC content, leading to a slight increase in the glass transition temperature. The creep compliance varies with the ZTC concentration, denoting a better resistance to deformation under constant stress conditions for composites with higher complex content. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess the quality of interphase adhesion between PBAT and ZTC, showing good dispersion and distribution of complex microparticles in the polymer matrix. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a valid interface due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between filler and polymer matrix. Preliminary tests on the biocompatibility of these materials were also performed, showing no cytotoxic effects on cell viability. Finally, the 3D printability of biobased composites was demonstrated by realizing complex structures with a commercial FDM printer.

Strategies To Modify the Surface and Bulk Properties of 3D-Printed Solid Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

“…Due to the demand for different applications, FDM researchers have developed several composite filaments. For instance, Sciancalepore et al proposed polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT)-reinforced ZTC microparticles to develop an ecofriendly biocomposite as a filament for use in 3D printers, and Ju et al proposed a blend comprising thermoplastic starch (TPS), PLA, and PBAT as a highly renewable filament, which also had minimal brittleness . A PLA blend with poly­(butylene succinate) exhibited improved tensile and impact strength .…”

Hemp hurd filled PLA‐PBAT blend biocomposites compatible with additive manufacturing processes: Fabrication, rheology, and material property investigations

“…For FDM, the most commonly used polymer systems are poly(lactic) acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and high‐density poly(ethylene) (HDPE) 5 . These common materials are selected due to their dimensional stability, high rigidity, and overall material properties, with only a limited number of other products that provide similar attributes 1,5 . However, these materials have low melt flow index and lack ductility.…”

“…Fused deposition modeling (FDM), often colloquially referred to as 3D printing, is the most widespread additive manufacturing method and closely follows polymer extrusion principles with FDM being suitable for thermoplastic feedstocks but also reinforced polymer composites. [1][2][3] In FDM, a hot extrudate is deposited onto a heated build platform or bed with highly customizable parameters, such as print line or raster orientation and angle, infill density, printing layer height, speed of print, bed temperature, printer's nozzle temperature, and so on. 4 However, due to the layering, the mechanical and barrier properties are highly dependent upon print direction in addition to the composition and performance/quality of filament used.…”

“…5 These common materials are selected due to their dimensional stability, high rigidity, and overall material properties, with only a limited number of other products that provide similar attributes. 1,5 However, these materials have low melt flow index and lack ductility. As such, researchers have employed blending methods to improve the processability and toughness of polymers like PLA by combining it with ductile polymers, such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and elastomers to avoid or reduce other additives such as plasticizers which may reduce the rate of compostability.…”

Study on Properties and Degradation Behavior of Poly (Adipic Acid/Butylene Terephthalate-Co-Glycolic Acid) Copolyester Synthesized by Quaternary Copolymerization

“…Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is one of the most widely used degradable materials in the market in the research of biodegradable plastics owing to its super-high toughness while being a 100% compostable polyester [ 14 , 15 ]. It is mainly used in packaging products [ 16 ] and agricultural film [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. However, the degradation of PBAT is slow in water environments [ 20 ].…”