Hidrogel bakterijske nanoceluloze za izdelavo 3D tiskanih folij kot alternativa sintetičnim polimerom na področju embalaže

Dermol, Špela (author), Gregor Svetec, Diana (mentor), Slemenik Perše, Lidija (comentor)

Polimeri so postali pomemben sestavni del vsakdanjega življenja, vendar je večina trenutno uporabljenih in proizvedenih polimerov izdelanih iz naftne osnove, kar predstavlja okoljski problem predvsem pri izdelkih, ki se hitro zavržejo. Zato se danes razvoj embalaže osredotoča na trajnostne materiale kot alternativo sintetičnim. Naravni materiali, kot je celuloza, so relativno poceni, netoksični in trpežni, zato se uporabljajo v različnih aplikacijah, vključno z embalažo. Nanoceluloza, relativno nov naraven material, ima edinstvene lastnosti, kot so visoka trdnost, nizka teža in prosojnost, zaradi česar je priljubljena v različnih aplikacijah, kot so embalaža, tekstil, papir, medicina, gradbeništvo in elektronika. Tehnologije 3D tiskanja so postale pomemben del industrijskih in komercialnih procesov ter omogočajo inovativne ideje in funkcionalnosti, kot so 3D tisk funkcionalnih vitalnih organov in tkiv, protez, brezpilotnih letal, hrane in hiš. Osnovni namen magistrskega dela je bil razvoj hidrogela bakterijske nanoceluloze s primernimi reološkimi lastnostmi za 3D tisk polimernih folij. Tehnologije 3D tiskanja so postale pomemben del industrijskih in komercialnih procesov ter omogočajo realizacijo inovativnih idej in funkcionalnosti. Razvoj ekonomičnega 3D biotiskalnika je bil pomemben del raziskav in cilj magistrskega dela. Rezultati raziskav so pokazali, da so vsi izdelani hidrogeli iz bakterijske nanoceluloze in kationskega škroba primerni za 3D tisk, pri čemer je najboljši vzorec vseboval največjo koncentracijo kationskega škroba. 3D tiskane folije so bile homogene in močne, vendar so bile folije z večjo koncentracijo kationskega škroba nekoliko krhkejše. Vse folije so bile precej transparentne z nesijajno površino in so ohranile slabšo omočljivost z vodo. Razviti 3D tiskalnik predstavlja uporabno orodje za 3D tiskanje hidrogelov za različne aplikacije. Bakterijska nanoceluloza kot stranski produkt proizvodnje kisa predstavlja optimalno alternativo sintetičnim polimerom, saj je trajnostna ter prijazna tako okolju kot organizmom. S tega stališča je raziskava dokazala možnost uporabe bakterijske nanoceluloze kot večinske komponente biofilamenta.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: 3D tisk, bakterijska nanoceluloza, hidrogel, folija
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
• Year: 2023
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-149051
• Publication date in RUL: 02.09.2023

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Bacterial nanocellulose hydrogel for the production of 3D printed foils as an alternative to synthetic polymers in the field of packaging

Abstract

Polymers have become an important part of everyday life today. Still, most currently used and produced polymers are made from petroleum, which poses an environmental problem, especially for quickly discarded products. Therefore, packaging development today focuses on sustainable materials as an alternative to synthetics. Natural materials such as cellulose are relatively inexpensive, non-toxic, and durable, making them suitable for various applications, including packaging. Nanocellulose, a relatively new natural material, has unique properties such as high strength, low weight, and transparency, making it popular in various applications such as packaging, textiles, paper, medicine, construction, and electronics. 3D printing technologies have become integral to industrial and commercial processes, enabling innovative ideas and functionalities such as 3D printing of functional vital organs and tissues, prosthetics, unmanned aircraft, food, and houses. The main purpose of the master's thesis was to develop a hydrogel of bacterial nanocellulose with suitable rheological properties for the 3D printing of polymer films. 3D printing technologies have become an important part of industrial and commercial processes, enabling the realization of innovative ideas and functionalities. Developing an economical 3D bioprinter was an important part of the research and the goal of the master's thesis. The research results showed that all hydrogels made from bacterial nanocellulose and cationic starch were suitable for 3D printing, with the best sample containing the highest concentration of cationic starch. The 3D printed films were homogeneous and strong, although the films with a higher concentration of cationic starch were slightly more fragile. All films were quite transparent with a non-glossy surface and retained poor water wettability. The developed 3D printer represents a useful tool for 3D printing hydrogels for various applications. Bacterial nanocellulose, as a by-product of vinegar production, provides an optimal alternative to synthetic polymers as it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. From this perspective, the research has demonstrated the possibility of using bacterial nanocellulose as the main component of a biofilament.

• Keywords: 3D print, bacterial nanocellulose, hydrogel, foil