3D/4D printing of cellulose nanocrystals-based biomaterials: Additives for sustainable applications

Muhammad Yasir Khalid; Zia Ullah Arif; Reza Noroozi; Mokarram Hossain; Seeram Ramakrishna; Rehan Umer

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126287

3D/4D printing of cellulose nanocrystals-based biomaterials: Additives for sustainable applications

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Aug 11:251:126287. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126287. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Muhammad Yasir Khalid¹, Zia Ullah Arif², Reza Noroozi³, Mokarram Hossain⁴, Seeram Ramakrishna⁵, Rehan Umer⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: yasirkhalid94@gmail.com.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Management & Technology Lahore, Sialkot Campus, 51041, Pakistan. Electronic address: chzia980@gmail.com.
³ School of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, SA1 8EN Swansea, UK. Electronic address: mokarram.hossain@swansea.ac.uk.
⁵ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
⁶ Department of Aerospace Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box: 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

PMID: 37573913
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126287

Abstract

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have gained significant attraction from both industrial and academic sectors, thanks to their biodegradability, non-toxicity, and renewability with remarkable mechanical characteristics. Desirable mechanical characteristics of CNCs include high stiffness, high strength, excellent flexibility, and large surface-to-volume ratio. Additionally, the mechanical properties of CNCs can be tailored through chemical modifications for high-end applications including tissue engineering, actuating, and biomedical. Modern manufacturing methods including 3D/4D printing are highly advantageous for developing sophisticated and intricate geometries. This review highlights the major developments of additive manufactured CNCs, which promote sustainable solutions across a wide range of applications. Additionally, this contribution also presents current challenges and future research directions of CNC-based composites developed through 3D/4D printing techniques for myriad engineering sectors including tissue engineering, wound healing, wearable electronics, robotics, and anti-counterfeiting applications. Overall, this review will greatly help research scientists from chemistry, materials, biomedicine, and other disciplines to comprehend the underlying principles, mechanical properties, and applications of additively manufactured CNC-based structures.

Keywords: 3D/4D printing; Additive manufacturing; Cellulose nanocrystals; Nanocellulose; Sustainable materials.

Publication types

Review