3D Bioprinting of Cellulosic Structures for Versatile Applications

Utilizing renewable and biodegradable feedstocks have been researched extensively to develop higher value-ended products, due to increasing awareness on environmental issues associated with use of fossil-based resources. Among them, cellulose is the most abundant natural biopolymer which exhibits an excellent source of raw material. Interestingly, cellulose can be converted into cellulose derivatives i.e., ethers and esters and be produced its micro/nano forms (e.g., nano-fibrillated, and nano-crystalline cellulose, bacterial (nano) cellulose), and can be regenerated for development of aerogels, filaments, or bio (nano) composites, which represent its potential applications for textiles, pharmaceutical and packaging industries etc. Recent studies indicated, those cellulosic materials have been investigated in additive manufacturing to acquire three-dimensional (3D) bio-printed patterns and tailored design objects such as filaments. This paper focused on 3D printable materials, structures, and techniques, specifically to elucidate data for their novel regenerated cellulose forms using ‘green’ solvent systems. Herein, dissolving wood pulp was used as main cellulosic substrate, which was dissolved in a non-derivatizing solvent, an ionic liquid, that was used to acquire a bioink which was subsequently printed in 3D filament forms via air-gap spinning technique of a configured syringe-pump set-up. Subsequently, exploited sample was coagulated and regenerated in a bath, consisting of deionized water, and eventually air-dried at room temperature (RT) in lab. Resultant filament showed remarkable tensile property. Printing results confirmed efficiency of the applied method to fabricate interesting prototypes. In this context, utilization of only DI water at RT contributes to design and enhance an environmentally and economically sustainable 3D bioprinting system.