Digital light processing 3D printing: Harnessing micro- and nanocellulose for advanced biocomposites
Roozbeh Abidnejad, Mehrdad Mousapour, Kristoffer Meinander, Hossein Baniasadi, Mika Salmi, Eero Kontturi
Abstract
The integration of sustainable materials into additive manufacturing is critical for advancing environmentally responsible technologies. In this study, we demonstrate a novel approach to enhancing digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing resins by incorporating octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA)-modified cellulose fillers-specifically, microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel-PH) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-PH). This is the first comparative investigation of these two hydrophobized cellulose types as bio-based reinforcements in DLP resins. The OSA modification significantly improved filler compatibility and dispersion within the resin matrix, with CNC-PH outperforming due to its nanoscale structure. Notably, CNC-PH at 10-15 wt% content yielded a 336 % increase in tensile modulus, while Avicel-PH showed a 314 % improvement, underscoring the effectiveness of nanoscale reinforcement. Thermal analysis confirmed enhanced thermal stability and reduced char formation, while SEM imaging revealed uniform morphology and strong filler-resin interaction. These results underscore the potential of surface-modified nanocellulose to develop high-performance, eco-friendly DLP biocomposites, setting a new direction for sustainable additive manufacturing.