(44j) Nanoparticle Dispersion-Enabled 3D Printing for Nano-Resolution Structural Control in Composites

Since its invention, 3D printing has developed from a hobbyist’s job to part manufacturing in industries for part consolidation, part replacement, and medical device manufacturing. The advantage of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing is the ability to use multi-material and print complex structures. 3D printing also can use both metal and polymer as raw materials in solid, liquid, and gel states. One of the many challenges in 3D printing is the ability to use composite polymer materials with two different polymers at the same time. This research focuses on developing a printing platform capable of combining two immiscible polymers using forced assembly mechanisms and direct ink writing technology (DIW). In this project, these technologies are combined to print multilayered layer-by-layer structures with nanoscale resolution. Polyvinyl alcohol was chosen as the primary polymer with pure PVA gel and PVA gel with carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersed as the other. The CNT dispersion enhances the tensile properties and its functionalization improves the orientation, electrical and sensing properties of the layers. It was also found that the interphase of the multilayer structure developed its unique and improved thermal properties (i.e.., t_g and crystallinity) compared to the pure polymer. The nanosized layers in the multilayered structure shed light on 3D printing of tissue scaffolds for cell culture, personal protective equipment, and mechanically durable structures with sensing and electrical properties.