3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties
The increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance materials has prompted research into biocomposites as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is widely used, often lacks the mechanical and thermal stability required for advanced applications. This...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
North Carolina State University
2025-08-01
|
| Series: | BioResources |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24128 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849232816042147840 |
|---|---|
| author | Selwin Maria Sekar Rajini Nagarajan Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar Nadir Ayrilmis Kumar Krishnan Faruq Mohammad Hamad A. Al-Lohedan Sikiru O. Ismail |
| author_facet | Selwin Maria Sekar Rajini Nagarajan Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar Nadir Ayrilmis Kumar Krishnan Faruq Mohammad Hamad A. Al-Lohedan Sikiru O. Ismail |
| author_sort | Selwin Maria Sekar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance materials has prompted research into biocomposites as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is widely used, often lacks the mechanical and thermal stability required for advanced applications. This limitation can be overcome by reinforcing PLA with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a renewable and abundant resource. While existing PLA composites have shown promise, the uniform dispersion and interfacial bonding of reinforcements remain challenges. To bridge this gap, an optimal 80:20 wt% PLA/MCC ratio was identified and processed into filament using a single-screw extruder, followed by 3D printing via fused filament fabrication (FFF). The composite’s properties were evaluated through mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses. Results revealed significant enhancements: tensile strength increased by 30%, flexural strength by 22.3%, impact strength by 78.9%, and compressive strength by 21.3%, compared to neat PLA. Thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability, with reduced weight loss at elevated temperatures. This research demonstrates that the integration of MCC into PLA not only improves mechanical and thermal properties but also offers an environmentally sustainable solution for engineering applications. The findings highlight the potential of PLA/MCC composites for industries requiring lightweight, durable, and eco-conscious materials, including automotive and biomedical sectors. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-32e2e14df3054be186dde61b00ba711d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1930-2126 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | North Carolina State University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BioResources |
| spelling | doaj-art-32e2e14df3054be186dde61b00ba711d2025-08-20T17:34:21ZengNorth Carolina State UniversityBioResources1930-21262025-08-012048473849234423D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and PropertiesSelwin Maria Sekar0Rajini Nagarajan1Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar2Nadir Ayrilmis3Kumar Krishnan4Faruq Mohammad5Hamad A. Al-Lohedan6Sikiru O. Ismail7Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu 626 126 IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu 626 126 IndiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Mangayarkarasi College of Engineering, Madurai, Tamilnadu, IndiaDepartment of Wood Mechanics and Technology, Faculty of Forestry, Istanbul University – Cerrahpasa, Bahcekoy, Sariyer, 34473, Istanbul, TurkeyINTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, MalaysiaDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaINTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, MalaysiaThe increasing demand for sustainable and high-performance materials has prompted research into biocomposites as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), which is widely used, often lacks the mechanical and thermal stability required for advanced applications. This limitation can be overcome by reinforcing PLA with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), a renewable and abundant resource. While existing PLA composites have shown promise, the uniform dispersion and interfacial bonding of reinforcements remain challenges. To bridge this gap, an optimal 80:20 wt% PLA/MCC ratio was identified and processed into filament using a single-screw extruder, followed by 3D printing via fused filament fabrication (FFF). The composite’s properties were evaluated through mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses. Results revealed significant enhancements: tensile strength increased by 30%, flexural strength by 22.3%, impact strength by 78.9%, and compressive strength by 21.3%, compared to neat PLA. Thermogravimetric analysis showed improved thermal stability, with reduced weight loss at elevated temperatures. This research demonstrates that the integration of MCC into PLA not only improves mechanical and thermal properties but also offers an environmentally sustainable solution for engineering applications. The findings highlight the potential of PLA/MCC composites for industries requiring lightweight, durable, and eco-conscious materials, including automotive and biomedical sectors.https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24128polylactic acidmicrocrystalline cellulosefused filament fabrication morphologyscrew extruder3d printingrenewable |
| spellingShingle | Selwin Maria Sekar Rajini Nagarajan Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar Nadir Ayrilmis Kumar Krishnan Faruq Mohammad Hamad A. Al-Lohedan Sikiru O. Ismail 3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties BioResources polylactic acid microcrystalline cellulose fused filament fabrication morphology screw extruder 3d printing renewable |
| title | 3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties |
| title_full | 3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties |
| title_fullStr | 3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties |
| title_full_unstemmed | 3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties |
| title_short | 3D-Printed Green Biocomposites from Poly(lactic acid) and Pine Wood-derived Microcrystalline Cellulose: Characterization and Properties |
| title_sort | 3d printed green biocomposites from poly lactic acid and pine wood derived microcrystalline cellulose characterization and properties |
| topic | polylactic acid microcrystalline cellulose fused filament fabrication morphology screw extruder 3d printing renewable |
| url | https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24128 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT selwinmariasekar 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT rajininagarajan 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT ponsuriyaprakashselvakumar 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT nadirayrilmis 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT kumarkrishnan 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT faruqmohammad 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT hamadaallohedan 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties AT sikiruoismail 3dprintedgreenbiocompositesfrompolylacticacidandpinewoodderivedmicrocrystallinecellulosecharacterizationandproperties |