Preparation and Characterization of 3D Printed Biobased Composites from a PBAT/PLA Blend with Lignin and Titanium Dioxide

Biobased composites produced from biopolymers reinforced with suitable fillers are an attractive route for producing sustainable materials with improved and diversified properties for a wider range of applications. In this study, biobased composites based on PBAT/PLAPBAT/PLA blend (Ecovio®), kraft ligninKraft lignin, and titanium dioxide (TiO2TiO) were prepared. First, using gamma-irradiation at 30 kGy, pristine kraft ligninKraft lignin was modified. Then, the pristine lignin, irradiated lignin, and TiO2TiO were successfully incorporated into a PBAT/PLAPBAT/PLA blend matrix using a typical melt-mixing process with a twin-screw extruder. Filaments produced by the extrusion process from neat PBAT/PLAPBAT/PLA and its biobased composites were used to obtain parts by FDM 3D printing3D printing. Non-irradiated and irradiated lignin were characterized by ATR-FTIR and XRD analysis. The biobased composite samples were characterized by tensile testsTensile tests, SEMScattering electron microscopy (SEM), and XRD analysis. According to results the incorporation of a small amount of lignin and TiO2TiO into PBAT/PLAPBAT/PLA blend and FDM 3D printing3D printing led to obtaining of biobased composites with suitable properties for a wider range of applications.