Cellulose and Nanocomposite 3D Printing in Optimized Dispersions for High-Performance Properties

The interest in renewable, natural, and bio-based polymers has a high potential, especially for commodity plastic replacement. From miscanthus grass, abaca fibers, chitin, and coconut coir, the key is determining their ability to form synergistic blends and composites. This means investigating their miscibility and dispersion properties, including a fundamental understanding of their secondary and tertiary structures(alpha-crystallinity and beta-sheets). The nanostructuring involves utilizing their sometimes high-aspect ratio or non-covalent interactions to determine the need for compatibilizations. Then, they must determine their minimum percolation threshold for the desired property at a minimum cost. These "optimization" protocols often unlock their true techno-economic value rather than simply using them to "replace the plastic". In this talk, we will describe strategies and projects where we have focused on preparing nanocomposites for high value in applications with coastings and 3D printing. Utilizing nanocellulose or cellulose nanocrystals, it is possible to unlock those advantages by emphasizing nanostructuring and derivatization. This is evident in their use with various dispersions in photopolymerizable resins, hydrogel metal precursors, and polyelectrolyte complexes. AI/ML strategies are emphasized as a method of improving optimization for additive manufacturing.