Breakthrough in Sustainability Research: Development of Environmentally Friendly 3D Printing Supplies

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from Jiaxing University have made a significant discovery in the field of sustainability research, developing environmentally friendly 3D printing supplies with the features of natural materials. The study, which has been peer-reviewed, focuses on the use of cellulose-enriched Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine) distillers' grains as a sustainable nucleating agent in polylactic acid (PLA)/biomass polymer composite filaments. This innovation offers a promising solution for the 3D printing industry, which has been seeking to reduce its environmental impact.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers prepared cellulose-enriched Huangjiu (Chinese rice wine) distillers' grains (CHG) fillers with 46.2 wt% cellulose by dissolving starch and protein with NaOH solution.
  • PLA composite filaments containing 3-9 wt% CHG fillers were prepared through melt blending and extrusion process, resulting in a good dispersion of CHG in composites.
  • XRD analysis revealed that the crystallinity of pure PLA filaments was 22.2%, whereas that of the PLA/CHG composite filaments with 6 wt% CHG reached 70.0%, attributed to CHG acting as a nucleating agent during the crystallization process of PLA.
  • The tensile strengths of 3D printed PLA/CHG composites were 37.9-47.3 MPa, which were maintained at a comparable level to that of PLA sample.
  • The biodegradation of 3D printed PLA/CHG composites were tested in real soil environment, with a mass loss rate of 0.6% for the 3D printed composite with 9 wt% CHG after being buried in soil for 49 days.
  • This research has been funded by key projects, including Jiaxing Science and Technology Plan Project, Jiaxing Youth Science and Technology Talent Project, Haiyan Science and Technology Plan Project, Postgraduate Scientific Research and Practice Innovation Project of Jiaxing University, and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
  • Additional authors for this research include Qiuyue Liang, Yebo Lu, Yi Jiang, Junlu Sheng, Ying Xu, and Peng Liu.

Statistics:

  • 46.2 wt% cellulose was achieved by dissolving starch and protein with NaOH solution.
  • 22.2% was the crystallinity of pure PLA filaments.
  • 70.0% was the crystallinity of the PLA/CHG composite filaments with 6 wt% CHG.
  • 37.9-47.3 MPa was the tensile strength of 3D printed PLA/CHG composites.
  • 0.6% was the mass loss rate of the 3D printed composite with 9 wt% CHG after being buried in soil for 49 days.
  • 49 days was the duration of biodegradation testing in real soil environment.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Studies from Jiaxing University Further Understanding of Sustainability Research [Improved Crystallinity and Biodegradability of 3d Printable Polylactic Acid Composite Filaments Filled With Cellulose-enriched Huangjiu (Chinese Rice Wine) ...]. Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 29, 2025; p 633.
  • Cellulose. Improved Crystallinity and Biodegradability of 3d Printable Polylactic Acid Composite Filaments Filled With Cellulose-enriched Huangjiu (Chinese Rice Wine) Distillers' Grains As Sustainable Nucleating Agents.