Comparison Between Cellulose Nanocrystals and Acetylated-Cellulose Nanocrystals as Reinforcement on 3D Printed-PLA Composites

An acetylation is conducted to make the cellulose more hydrophobic as the composite reinforcement. The cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and acetylated-cellulose nanocrystals (ACNC) chosen as the reinforcement of PLA composite were produced using an extrusion method and used for 3D printing application. The properties of CNC and ACNC were characterized using FTIR and the influences of CNC and ACNC on the tensile strength were also evaluated. Results show that the acetylation treatment on the nanocellulose was successfully conducted and was proven by the existence of C = O. The CNC addition to the PLA matrix decreased the composite tensile strength while the ACNC addition to the PLA composite increased the tensile strength. For 3D-printed composites, the tensile strength of PLA composites was increased using CNC and ACNC as the reinforcement. Moreover, the addition of CNC and ACNC on 3D-printed composites revealed higher tensile strength than composite filaments.